The Black Opera Alliance has issued a statement after the Tusla Opera removed Daniel Bernard Roumain’s “They Still Want to Kill Us” aria from the upcoming “Greenwood Overcomes” concert. In a written response, the organization said, “Mr. Roumain’s composition is reflective of a personal connection to the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921 as a Black American. Tulsa is a city {…}
This is a developing story. It has been updated since its publication with additional statements from the Tulsa Opera, co-curator Howard Watkins, and Daniel Roumain. Composer Daniel Roumain has revealed that Tulsa Opera has fired him its upcoming “Greenwood Overcomes” due to creative differences. Roumain made the announcement on Sunday via social media. In a follow-up statement he made to OperaWire, {…}
Tulsa Opera is set to commemorate the centennial of the Tulsa Race Massacre on May 1, 2021. The showcase, which is entitled “Greenwood Overcomes,” will feature songs and arias by living Black composers, performed by Black opera artists. The concert will feature four Tulsa Opera-commissioned world premieres by such composers as David Bontemps, Anthony Davis, Stewart Goodyear, Nkeiru Okoye, and {…}
On November 12, 2020, Tulsa Opera is set to launch an audiovisual version of Verdi’s “Rigoletto,” which was performed and filmed in ONEOK Field baseball stadium in October. This “Rigoletto” film will be free to stream worldwide from Tulsa Opera’s YouTube channel and website. Directed by James Robinson, the re-imagined production is the first staged grand opera in the United {…}
History was made on May 3, 2019. The first transgender baritone, Lucia Lucas, sang the title role in Mozart/Da Ponte’s, “Don Giovanni.” Such an important milestone in both opera and transgender history didn’t take place in New York or Los Angeles or Chicago; it was in Tulsa, Oklahoma that Lucas made her debut as Don Giovanni, a crucial and extremely {…}
(Credits: LA Opera official website / Stacy Boge Photography / UIA Talent official website) Tulsa Opera has announced that it will open its new 2020-21 season with the live semistaged production of Verdi and Piave’s opera “Rigoletto” on Oct. 9, 2020 at 7:30 p.m. CT. The production was originally planned to take place at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center. However, {…}
(Images provided by Schumann Associates Inc) Tulsa Opera has unveiled its streaming program for the week starting on June 8, 2020. It all kicks off with tenor Aaron Blake performing as part of the “Staying Alive” series. He will showcase Rachmaninoff’s “Spring Waters.” Blake will be accompanied by pianist Lydon Meyer. Streaming Date: June 8, 2020 at 2 p.m. CT {…}
Tulsa Opera announced that it would be canceling its 2020 production of “Rigoletto” due to lingering uncertainty surrounding the spread of COVID-19. The Verdi opera was set to open on Oct. 9, 2020 with a cast including Sarah Coburn and Allegra De Vita. Per a press release, the company is exploring potential outdoor venues for a semi-staged socially distanced version {…}
Tulsa Opera has announced its online slate for the week of May 25, 2020. Soprano Keely Futterer will perform Richard Strauss’ “Zueignung” on Monday, May 25, 2020 at 2 p.m. CT. She will perform alongside Lyndon Meyer. Futterer is a Tulsa Opera Filstrup Resident Artist. Then on Wednesday, May 27, tenor Humberto Borboa will perform Dvorak’s “Als die alte Mutter {…}
(Image Provided by Shumann Associates) Tulsa Opera is set to put Tobias Picker’s “Emmeline” front and center as part of its streaming options online. Starting on Monday, April 20 the company will dedicate three separate performances to the new opera, which was set to premiere in a new production on May 1, 2020. It has since been moved to the {…}
The Tulsa Opera has announced its 2020-21 season with three main stage productions. Here is a look at what the company will showcase. Verdi’s “Rigoletto” opens the season with a cast that includes Sarah Coburn in the role of Gilda and Allegra De Vita as Maddalena. Tomer Zvulun’s production, which was originally commissioned for Boston Lyric Opera, Atlanta Opera, and {…}