Opera Santa Barbara is set to open its 2022-23 season with Puccini’s “Tosca.” The production, which will be presented for one night only on Oct. 1, 2022, will be directed by Layna Chianakas. Audiences will see Greek soprano Eleni Calenos in the title role. Adam Diegel interprets the role of Cavaradossi while Wayne Tigges takes on the villainous Scarpia. Kostis {…}
On March 25 and 27, 2022, Opera Santa Barbara will present the 50th production of “As One” at the Lobero Theater. The opera shares the journey of Hannah, a transgender woman discovering her gender identity and self-acceptance. Hannah is portrayed by two singers; Hannah before will be sung by Evan Bravos and Hannah after will be performed by Ashley Armstrong. {…}
(Credit: Opera Santa Barbara official website) Opera Santa Barbara has announced that it will open its 2022 season with a 90-minute adaptation of Händel’s comedy “Semele.” The cast includes Christina Pezzarossi as Ino; Sarah Coit as Juno; Robert Stahley as Jupiter; Logan Tanner as Athamas; Colin Ramsay in the dual role of Kadmus and Somnus; and Jana McIntyre in the {…}
Opera Santa Barbara has announced that it will present an opera and flamenco ballet double bill as part of its 2021-22 season. The California-based company will showcase Puccini’s “Il Tabarro” alongside “El Amor Brujo” starting on Oct. 29 with an additional performance set for Oct. 31, 2021. “Amor Brujo” will star dancers from the State Street Ballet with choreography by {…}
Opera Santa Barbara is set to kickstart its 2021-22 season with “Cruzar la Cara de la Luna.” The mariachi opera by José “Pepe” Martínez and Leonard Foglia will be directed by Octavio Cardenas and conducted by David Hanlon. It will star Mariachi Los Campers alongside Daniel Montenegro, Efraín Solís, Kelly Guerra, Bernardo Bermudez, Sergio Gonzalez, Jessica Gonzalez-Rodriguez, and Raphaella Medina. {…}
Opera Santa Barbara has announced that it will present “Carmen, A Live Drive-In Opera” on Dec. 6, 2020 at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. The opera will present the Peter Brook adaptation of the work, which is slimmed down to 90 minutes and only focuses on the four characters of Carmen, Don José, Micaëla, and Escamillo. Taking on these roles will {…}
Opera Santa Barbara kicks off its 2017-18 season with Massenet’s “Manon” on Nov. 3, 2017, with an additional showcase two days later on Nov. 5. Acclaimed soprano Sarah Coburn will star in the title role while tenor Harold Meers will appear as her lover Des Grieux. The cast will also include baritone Alex DeSocio as Lescaut, bass-baritone Colin Ramsey as {…}