BACKGROUND ARTWORK SHOULD EXTEND BEYOND THE DOCUMENT SIZE TO THIS BLEED LINE
IMPORTANT THINGS LIKE TEXT AND LOGOS SHOULD BE POSITIONED WITHIN THIS GREEN SAFE ZONE
BLUE LINE INDICATES WHERE THE PAGE WILL BE TRIMMED
L OBERO THE A TR E FRIDAY APR 19 7:30PM SUNDAY APR 21 2:30PM
SEASON SPONSOR: Elaine F. Stepanek Foundation
PRODUCTION SPONSORS: Marc and Pauline Sylvain
PRODUCTION SPONSORS Granada Theatre Roger and Sarah Chrisman Mosher Foundation
Production ready, autoscaling, zero-downtime, Kubernetes-based deployments made simple.
presents ZORRO
BY HÉCTOR ARMIENTA
FRIDAY, APRIL 19TH, 2024 AT 7:30 - THE LOBERO THEATRE
SUNDAY, APRIL 21ST, 2024 AT 2:30 - THE LOBERO THEATRE
CAST
Zorro/Diego de la Vega ..................................................................................................
Ana Maria Soza
Carlotta de Obragón
Géneral Octavio Moncada
Xavier Prado
Oriana Fallaº
Kelly Guerra+
Bernardo Bermudez
Toypurina Jessica Gonzalez-Rodriguez+
Sergeant José Maria Gomez/Zazueta ....................................................
Omar Rodriguez*
Luisa Sunwoo Park*
Juan Pablo
Start Free Today
Katja Broomberg
Soldiers .............................................................................. Guillermo Aguilar & Anthony Moresi
Waiter Lorenzo Johnson
Don Francisco Robert Adams
PRODUCTION
CONDUCTOR
Anthony Barreseº
STAGE DIRECTOR
Octavio Cardenas
SCENIC & PROJECTION
DESIGNER
Daniel Chapman
LIGHTING DESIGNER
Helena Kuukka
COSTUME MANAGER
Stacie Logue
PROPS DESIGNER
T. Theresa Scarano
HAIR/MAKEUP
DESIGNER
Heather Sterling
CHORUS MASTER & PRINCIPAL PIANIST
Timothy Accurso
FIGHT CHOREOGRAPHER
Erick Wolfeº
PRODUCTION
STAGE MANAGER
Kourtni Dale-Noll
Mitchiner
ASSISTANT PROJECTION
TECHNOLOGIST
Granville Parham
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER
Danielle Brewbaker
Brynn Jones
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
Todd Jared
HAIR & MAKEUP ARTISTS
Marisol Miller-Wave
Berenice Gallegos
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
Todd Jared
Congratulations to Opera Santa Barbara on its 30th season of bringing world class opera to Santa Barbara
SEASON SPONSOR
Elaine F. Stepanek Foundation
PRODUCTION SPONSOR
Marc and Pauline Sylvain
ARTIST SPONSORS
Zorro - Monica Williams
Chorus Master, Timothy Accurso - Bella Domani
Carlotta de Obragón - Robert Weinman
Ana Maria Soza - Eric Oltmann
Géneral Octavio Moncada - Dana White
STUDENT MATINEE
Robert & Mercedes Eichholz Foundation
YOU DECIDE! TICKETING
Montecito Bank & Trust
STUDENT MATINEE ORCHESTRA
SUPERTITLES
Bella Domani
The board, staff, and artists of Opera Santa Barbara express their gratitude to these foundations for their extraordinary med year support, which was critical in making this production possible.
Hutton Parker Foundation
John C. Mithun Foundation
The Mosher Foundation
Robert & Mercedes Eichholz Foundation
BECOME A SPONSOR NEXT SEASON!
Production sponsorships are one of the most important ways opera lovers can help bring works like this to the stage. Under normal circumstances, ticket sales and other earned income typically cover less than 35% of production costs. Sponsors help underwrite these costs allowing us to present hiqh quality operas while keeping ticket prices affordable.
For more information about becoming a sponsor or artist host, contact info@operasb.org or call our office at (805) 898-3890 Ext 1.
Please turn off all cell phones, electronic devices, and watch alarms. Latecomers will be seated at the discretion of the house management. Members of the audience who leave during the performance will not be shown back into the theater until the next intermission. The use of camera and recording equipment is strictly prohibited. Your use of a ticket acknowledges your willingness to appear in photographs taken or videos filmed in public areas of the Lobero Theatre, and releases the theater and its lessees and others from liability resulting from use of such photographs or video footage.
COMPOSER
Héctor Armienta
SUNG IN SPANISH AND ENGLISH
RUN TIME: 2 HOURS AND 15 MINUTES INCLUDING A 20 MINUTE INTERMISSION
WEST COAST PREMIERE
FRIDAY, APRIL 19TH, 2024 AT 7:30 - THE LOBERO THEATRE
SUNDAY, APRIL 21ST, 2024 AT 2:30 - THE LOBERO THEATRE
ACT I
1814, Spain: In the Mountain Fortress of the Order of Zazueta a student named Diego trains to become a master swordsman. When he passes the final test by defeating all his opponents, the master carves the letter “Z” into his upper arm and sends him back to the place of his birth in Alta, California.
Reina de Los Ángeles: Toypurina, Ana Maria, and Luisa lament the plight of the poor indigenous population who is suffering under Spanish rule.. Diego arrives in the plaza and encounters Carlotta, with whom he was once involved. Ana Maria, an old childhood friend of Diego and he promises to catch up with her later in the day. Carlotta takes Diego to meet the new Alcalde (Mayor), General Moncada.
Moncada’s Office: When Carlotta and Diego arrive at the office of the Alcade, Carlotta learns that Diego and Moncada were once fellow military cadets in Spain, but she senses some animosity between the two men. As they are leaving, Carlotta invites Diego to a masquerade ball the following evening. Gomez enters the office with a letter from the Viceroy, giving Moncada full permission to enforce the brutal El Sistema de Castas, a hierarchical ordering of racial groups classified according to their proportion of Spanish blood.
The Plaza: Gomez muses about the mistreatment he endures at the hands of Moncad, and his hope to one day find happiness.
A Street in el Pueblo: Ana Maria and Luisa are tending to the poor. Ana Maria tells Luisa about the revolution that is taking place in México and soon will spread to Alta California. As Luisa leaves, Diego arrives and with Ana Maria they reminisce about their childhood. Diego gives Ana Maria a handkerchief as a gift, and asks her to join him at the ball that night. As they part, Ana Maria accidentally leaves behind Diego’s handkerchief, which Carlotta, who was hiding in the shadows, recovers.
Courtyard of the De La Vega Estate (Same Day): Toypurina, who has been taking care of Diego’s family estate since his father’s death, and Luisa, a servant, talk about Luisa’s dreams for a more adventurous life. After Luisa leaves, Diego arrives and asks how his father died. Toypurina tells him that she believes evil forces were to blame, and reveals that Diego’s father left a sword for him with the instruction to wield it in the name of justice.
Masquerade Ball in the Plaza: The hacendados (land owners) and their wives are dancing and enjoying the evening’s festivities. Carlotta enters and looks around the plaza hoping to see Diego. Luisa spots Sergeant Gomez, and the two take an interest in each other. Diego, dressed in costume, arrives disguised and walks over to Ana Maria, who does not recognize him. Carlotta
entertains the guests with one of her signature pieces - a fiery bulería titled El Zorro. At the conclusion of her song, Moncada arrives as Diego slips out unnoticed. Moncada announces his plans to bring “order” back to Alta California and one of the soldiers brings in a tortured prisoner. Ana Maria yells “asesino” and Diego (now dressed in full costume as Zorro with sword in hand) enters. A fight ensues and before Zorro leaves, he makes the mark of Z on the plaza wall.
ACT II
Reina de Los Angeles: Some time has passed, and Zorro continues to defend the poor, leaving the mark of “Z” behind. The scene opens as Diego/ Zorro enters to rescue Ana maria from some soldiers who are pursuing her. When Diego reveals his identity the two profess their love for each other, and Diego promises to take her away later that night, and instructs her to wait for him at the old church.
Moncada’s Office: Moncada reprimands Gomez for failing to capture Zorro after the ball. Carlotta confronts Moncada about his cruelty. A soldier enters and hands Moncada a note, and Moncada tells Carlotta that the soldiers have found Ana Maria. Diego arrives looking for Carlotta, and Moncada challenges Diego to a fencing duel like they once had at the military academy.
Moncada attacks, and Diego, who does not want his superb swordsmanship to betray him as Zorro, lets the General slice his arm, and pin him to the ground. As Carlotta tends to the wound, Diego confesses to her that he is in love with Ana Maria. When Diego leaves, Carlotta weeps for the love that never was to be. She picks up the letter from Moncada’s desk, unaware that he is watching hidden.
Gomez’s Bedroom: Luisa and Gomez confess their passion for one another. She imagines a life of leisure with new clothes and shoes that do not have holes in their soles — a life where they both rub elbows with high society. They promise to love one another forever and as a team, build a life together.
Outside Church walls: Carlotta arrives at the church where Ana Maria is hiding, and warns her that Moncada is coming. As Ana Maria goes back into the church to retrieve her belongings, Moncada appears. As Carlotta stands at the church doors barring his entrance, he reveals his lust for her and attacks her. When she resists, he stabs her mortally with his dagger and leaves draggin with him Ana Maria who has just come out of the church. Diego and Toypurina enter and find Carlotta dying. She gives him back his handkerchief, on which she has written the name of her murderer, and with her last breath tells Diego that she still loves him.
The Plaza at Dawn: Ana Maria stands in front of a firing squad, falsely accused of the murder of Carlotta. When Gomez refuses to give the firing order, Moncada orders him to be put to death too. A small group of peasants arrive in the plaza and Zorro appears holding the bloody handkerchief.. Taunted by Moncada to reveal his identity, Zorro lowers his mask. A great battle ensues before Moncada is fatally pierced with the sword and Ana Maria is saved. Zorro lives to fight another day and defend the oppressed.
OPERA SANTA BARBARA
ORCHESTRA
VIOLIN 1
Samuel Fischer, Concertmaster
Anna Kostyuchek, Associate Concertmaster
Maia Zander
Luke Santonastaso
VIOLIN 2
Steve Zander, Principal
Mona Tian
Hannah Murray
VIOLA
Karen Long, Principal
Briana Bandy
CELLO
Christopher Ahn, Principal Allan Hon
BASS
Zach Hislop, Principal FLUTE
Gary Woodward, Principal
OBOE
Catherine Del Russo, Principal
CLARINET
Phillip O’Connor, Principal
Michael Salas
BASSOON
Duncan Massey, Principal
TRUMPET
John Ernest, Principal HORN
Danielle Ondarza, Principal
Preston Shepard
TROMBONE
Nick Daley, Principal
PERCUSSION
Jon Nathan, Principal
HARP
Ellie Choate, Principal GUITAR
Chris Fossek, Principal
OPERA SANTA BARBARA
MUSIC STAFF
CONDUCTOR
Anthony Barrese
CHORUS MASTER & PRINCIPAL PIANIST
Timothy Accurso
ORCHESTRA MANAGER
Karen Long
SUPERTITLE OPERATOR
Mica Basilici
SUPERNUMERARY
Robert Adams
COMBATANTS
Combatant 1 - Erick Wolfe Combatant 2 - Victor Sutherland
Guillermo Aguilar
Alexandra Bass+
Chandler Baker
Olivia Barker
Katja Broomberg
David Harridge
Lisa Sueyres
Gaia Hubbard-Kabaretti+
Ariana Horner Sutherland*
Lorenzo Johnson
Adrien Roberts+ CHORUS
* Current Member of the Chrisman Studio Artist Program + Opening Chorus Soloists
Héctor Armienta, a nationally recognized composer, focuses on creating work that explores the Mexican and Mexican-American cultural experience. Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, he is one of the few Chicano opera composers to have had his work performed nationally and internationally. His awards and commissions include those from Meet the Composer, the NEA, the MapFund, Forth Worth Opera, the Pacific Symphony, Opera Southwest, Oakland East Bay Symphony, and others. His work for orchestra, theater, and opera has received support from six NEA grants in artistic excellence. Most recently, he was awarded a 2022 CCSRE Arts Mellon Fellowship at Stanford University and a 2021 Map Fund award.
Notable projects included the opera Bless Me Ultima (based on Rudolfo Anaya’s novel), the opera Zorro, and the animated opera film - Mi Camino Upcoming projects include La Muerte (Part III of Armienta’s opera trilogy Aguas Ancestrales) and a new immersive VR opera project - Campesinos.
Mr. Armienta is also the founder and director of Ópera Cultura, whose mission is to explore music theater and opera through a cross-cultural lens. He holds a BM degree in composition from California Institute of the Arts and an MM degree in composition from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. He also sits on the board of Opera America.
OCTAVIO CARDENAS Stage Director
Stage director Octavio Cardenas captivates audiences with his visionary, visceral, and physical style of directing. Opera News has praised him for creating “an immersive theater experience” while the Dallas Morning News hailed him for bringing “every character and situation to life.
Recent projects include Traviata with Opera Las Vegas, Cruzar la cara de la Luna with Opera Santa Barbara, and the World Premiere of Zorro with Fort Worth Opera and Southwest opera. Barber of Seville with Opera Delaware, and Florencia en el Amazonas with Eastman Opera Theater
Mr. Cardenas’ recent productions of Silent Night for Fort Worth Opera and Lyric Opera of Kansas City were described as “a breathtaking realization” with “many brilliant touches.” The Kansas City Star called the Lyric Opera’s production “one of its finest performances in recent memory.” Other recent productions include La boheme for Minnesota opera to which the Start Tribune acclaimed, “what makes the production a success, is Octavio
ARTISTS
Cardenas’ staging.” His production of As One for UrbanArias was acclaimed by MD Theater Guide, “Under the direction of Octavio Cardenas, the two stars playfully make great use of both stage and energetic space—it seemed the theatre condensed and expanded with Hannah’s journey.”
He has served as the Director of Baylor Opera, Director of Chapman Opera at Chapman University, Head of Directing Staff at Des Moines Metro Opera and has also been on the directing staff at Chautauqua Opera. Mr. Cardenas works at The Eastman School of Music as Professor of Opera where he recently directed Florencia en el Amazonas. Upcoming projects include Don Pasquale with Opera Omaha, the world premiere of the Flamenco Opera Llantos With Opera Southwest and the world premiere of the opera Dolores which tells the story of the Latino Activist Dolores Huerta, commissioned by West Edge Opera, Southwest Opera and San Diego Opera.
Mr. Cardenas will return to OSB in November to helm a new production of Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci in the Lobero Theatre.
ANTHONY BARRESE Conductor
Anthony Barrese has earned accolades as both a composer and a conductor in North America and Italy.
Mr. Barrese is the recipient of numerous composition awards including a N.E.C. Contemporary Ensemble Composition Competition Award for his Madrigale a 3 voci femminili, and two B.M.I. Student Composers Awards. As a musicologist, Mr. Barrese rediscovered, prepared, and edited the critical edition of Franco Faccio’s opera Amleto, in conjunction with Casa Ricordi.
As Artistic Director and Principal conductor of Opera Southwest he has performed Rossini’s Otello with the American staged premiere of the finale lieto, and in 2014 he led the new World Premiere of Amleto, not heard anywhere since 1871. He also notably led productions of Wagner’s Lohengrin (2019), a new world premiere of Bottesini’s Alì Babà (2019), and a company premiere of Debussy’s Pelléas et Mélisande (2021)
As Music Director of Opera Delaware he conducted the west coast premiere of Amleto in 2016, and the company premiere of Rossini’s Semiramide in 2017. In the 2022 season he conducted new productions of Il barbiere di Siviglia and Le nozze di Figaro.
In the 2023-24 season he will conduct new productions of Il barbiere di Siviglia (Florida Grand Opera) L’occasione fa il ladro and Bluebeard’s Castle (OSW), Haydn’s L’infedeltà delusa (Sarasota), Turandot (Opera Delaware), and make a company debut with Opera Santa Barbara (Armienta’s Zorro).
XAVIER PRADO
Zorro/Diego de la Vega
HOMETOWN: Rancagua, Chile
LIVES IN: Los Angeles, CA
PREVIOUSLY AT OSB: La Divina: The Art of Maria Callas Concert (Soloist), Il Trovatore (Ruiz)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Il Viaggio a Reims (Zeffirino / Libenskoff), Rossini Opera Festival; L’Italiana in Algeri (Lindoro), Opera San Jose; Romeo et Juliette (Romeo), Lyric Opera of Orange County.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Film Score/Disney’s Encanto, Canto en resistencia/small ensemble/LA Phil orianafalla.com
KELLY GUERRA
Carlotta de Obragón
HOMETOWN: Simi Valley, CA
LIVES IN: New York, New York
PREVIOUSLY AT OSB: Cruzar la Cara de la Luna (Lupita), 2021; The Crucible (Betty Parris), 2019; La Bohème (Chorus), 2018; Chrisman Young Artist 20192020
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Il Barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina), The Princeton Festival; María de Buenos Aires (María), Kentucky Opera; Scalia/Ginsburg (Ruth Bader Ginsburg), Chautauqua Opera Company
UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS: Dolores (Dolores), West Edge Opera; María de Buenos Aires (María), Madison Opera; The Fantastic Mr. Fox (Mrs. Fox), Opera Omaha www.kellyguerramezzo.com
ARTISTS
BERNARDO BERMUDEZ
Géneral Octavio Moncada
HOMETOWN: Citizen of the World (Mexico/Venezuela)
LIVES IN: Oceanside / San Diego CA
PREVIOUSLY AT OSB: Cruzar la Cara de la luna (Laurentino), 2021; Il Postino (Mario’s father), 2020
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Frida (Diego Rivera), Long Beach Opera, Portland Opera, Anchorage Opera and Opera Orlando; El Milagro del Recuerdo (Chucho), San Diego Opera; The romance of the rose: World Premiere (Pleasure) Long Beach Opera
UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS:
THE THREE MEXICAN TENORS: Tucson Symphony, The Bear and the Pear Tree: Opera4Kids and La Jolla Symphony
BernardoBermudez.com & www.Opera4Kids.com
JESSICA GONZALEZ-RODRIGUEZ Toypurina
HOMETOWN: Los Angeles, CA
LIVES IN: Los Angeles, CA
PREVIOUSLY AT OSB: Cuzar la cara de la Luna (Renata), 2021 & 2023
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Selections from Carmen, Carnegie Hall with the Vincerò Academy; Cruzar la cara de la Luna (Renata), Opera Santa Barbara; Roméo et Juliette (Gertrude cover), Opera San Jose
UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS: Chicanísima! (Norma), Quinteto Latino; The Ballad of Baby Doe (Meg), The Opera Buffs
ARTISTS
www.jessicagonzalezrodriguez.com
OMAR ALEJANDRO RODRIGUEZ
Sergeant José Maria Gomez
HOMETOWN: Watsonville, CA
LIVES IN: Castroville, CA
PREVIOUSLY AT OSB: El Gato Con Botas (The Miller), 2023; Carmen (Le Dancaïre), 2023; The Light in the Piazza (Giuseppe), 2023
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: The Pirates of Penzance (The Major General), Pacific Opera Project, Cabrillo Stage; Ruddygore (Sir Despard), Lamplighters Music Theater; Viral mariachi singer with over 100K followers @omaralejandromariachi on TikTok
UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS: Die Fledermaus (Eisenstein), Santa Cruz Opera Project; Tour of California with Majo Aguilar and Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlán, Mariachi Festival de Sacramento omaralejandrorodriguez.com
SUNWOO PARK
Luisa
HOMETOWN: Seoul, South Korea
LIVES IN: Los Angeles, CA
PREVIOUSLY AT OSB: Semele (Iris), 2022; The Pirates of Penzance (Mabel), 2022; Die Walküre (Helmwige), 2023; Carmen (Frasquita), 2023
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: La Bohème (Musetta, cover), The Santa Fe Opera; Der Freischütz (Ännchen), Wolf Trap Opera
UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS: Rusalka (Turnspit), Pacific Opera Project; The Marriage of Figaro (Susanna), OSB sunwooparksoprano.com
ARTISTS
DANIEL B. CHAPMAN
Scenic and Projection Designer
HOMETOWN: Bernalillo, NM
LIVES IN: Dillon, MT
PREVIOUSLY AT OSB: Madama Butterfly, 2019; Carmen, 2023
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Of Mice and Men (Lighting Designer), The Acting Company; Restoration Comedy (Lighting Designer), The Flea; Das Rheingold (Projection Design), Dayton Opera
UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS: Carmen, Opera Southwest; La Fanciulla del West, Central City Opera; Pagliacci, OSB
danielbchapman.com
HELENA KUUKKA
Lighting Designer
HOMETOWN: Helsinki, Finland
LIVES IN: Santa Barbara, CA
PREVIOUSLY AT OSB: Carmen, An American Dream, La Scala di Seta, Tosca, Barber of Seville, Eugene Onegin
UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS: 9 to 5 (Music Theatre Wichita); Jersey Boys (Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma); Pagliacci (OSB)
STACIE LOGUE
Costume Manager
HOMETOWN: Southern California
LIVES IN: Ventura, CA
PREVIOUSLY AT OSB: 2004 – present in the costume dept
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Opera Santa Barbara Costume Manager 2015 – present; Central City Opera Festival 2016 – 2021; Kingsman Shakespeare Festival 2013 – 2015; Music Academy of the West 2005 – 2012
UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS: OSB 24/25 Season
WHERE CAN WE FIND YOU: in the costume shop
T. THERESA SCARANO
Props Designer
HOMETOWN: Roswell, New Mexico
LIVES IN: Southern California
PREVIOUSLY AT OSB: The Valkyrie, The Light in the Piazza, An American Dream, Tosca, As One, Cruzar, La Scala di Seta, La Traviata, Semele, Speed Dating
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Scenery Rental Manager & Director of Operations at San Bernardino Civic Light Opera & The Set Company, Prop Design for Daddy Long Legs Premiere/tour, and exactly what I’m working on at the moment.
PREVIOUSLY AT OSB: Carmen (HMU Designer), 2023; The Valkyrie (HMU Designer), 2023; An American Dream (HMU Designer), 2023; La Scala di Seta (HMU Designer), 2022; Tosca (HMU Designer), 2022
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Gianni Schicchi Zanetto (WMU Designer), SFCM; Manon (WMU Designer), OSB; Madame Butterfly (WMU Designer), The Atlanta Opera
UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS: Tiger Style! (Wig Designer), TheaterWorks; Zorro (WMU Designer), Opera Santa Barbara; Proving Up (WMU Designer), San Francisco Conservatory of Music
ERICK WOLFE Fight Director
HOMETOWN: Tulsa, OK
LIVES IN: Coeur d’Alene, ID
PREVIOUSLY AT OSB: OSB Debut
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Fight Choreographer for Tulsa Opera, Central City Opera, and more. Author of “The Art of Knife Fighting for Stage and Screen: An Actor’s and Director’s Guide to Staged Violence” www.baldmanfighting.com
ARTISTS
TIMOTHY ACCURSO
Principal Pianist & Director of the Chrisman Studio Program
HOMETOWN: Glen Lyon, PA
LIVES IN: Santa Barbara, CA
PREVIOUSLY AT OSB: Joined Team OSB Fall of 2018
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: La Traviata, Opera Las Vegas; Pirates of Penzance, Utah Opera; The Light in the Piazza, Opera Santa Barbara; Cruzar la Cara de la Luna (conductor), Arlington Theater.
UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS: Santa Barbara Gay Men’s Chorus (Artistic Director) Concert May 20th, First
United Methodist Church, SB
KOURTNI DALE-NOLL MITCHINER
Production Stage Manager
HOMETOWN: Plano, TX
LIVES IN: Camarillo, CA
PREVIOUSLY AT OSB: PSM for Il Trovatore
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Celebrating my 11th season at OSB!
UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS: Production Stage Manager, ’24-’25 Season, Opera Santa Barbara cosoc.com/KidKourt13
DANIELLE BREWBAKER
Assistant Stage Manager
HOMETOWN: St. Johns, MI
LIVES IN: St. Johns, MI
PREVIOUSLY AT OSB: Tosca (ASM), 2022
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Pelléas et Mélisande (Production Assistant), The Santa Fe Opera; Così Fan Tutti (ASM), The Dallas Opera; Romeo & Juliet (ASM), The Dallas Opera
UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS: Production Assistant Don Giovanni, The Santa Fe Opera; Production Assistant Der Rosenkavalier, The Santa Fe Opera @danibrewbaker
BRYNN JONES
Assistant Stage Manager
HOMETOWN: Santa Cruz, CA
LIVES IN: Los Angeles, CA
PREVIOUSLY AT OSB: El Gato Con Botas (PSM), 2023; Carmen (ASM), 2023; An American Dream (ASM), 2023
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Production roles with various arts institutions, including LA Opera, Music Academy of the West, the Santa Barbara Symphony, and UCSB.
UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS: Noah’s Flood with LA Opera & LA Opera Connects
TODD JARED
Technical Director
HOMETOWN: Hollywood, CA
LIVES IN: Carpinteria, CA
PREVIOUSLY AT OSB: Multiple productions since the company’s birth in 1993.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Technical Director for The Lobero Theatre since 1992.
THANK YOU TO OUR HOUSING DONORS
Rodney Baker
Jared Darington
Betsy Gallery
Dominique Hannaux (Secret Garden Inn)
Zach Mendez
Dana Monk
Robert Ramey
Joan Rutkowski
Torben & Lauren von Staden
Michael and Beverly Steinfeld
Marilyn Zellet
SPECIAL THANKS
Secret Garden Inn
Longoria Wines
OPERA SANTA BARBARA
TEAM OSB
ARTISTIC & GENERAL DIRECTOR
Kostis Protopapas
DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION
Helena Kuukka
PRINCIPAL PIANIST & DIRECTOR OF THE CHRISMAN STUDIO
Timothy Accurso
INTERIM CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Gail Anikouchine
EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATOR
Jessica Hetrick
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSOCIATE
Julia Lieberman
BOOKKEEPER
Marisa Mohlman
CONSULTANTS
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Karen Kowalski
PHOTOGRAPHY/ VIDEO
Zach Mendez
AUDIO RECORDING
Opus 1 Mobile Recording
MARKETING & GRAPHIC DESIGN
Joyce Familara
OPERA SANTA BARBARA
Rodney Baker
Tanner Cassidy
Sarah Chrisman
Brian Galura
Christine Holland
FOUNDERS
Marilyn Gilbert & Nathan Rundlett
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Nicholas Burlett, Chair
Torben von Staden, 1st Vice Chair
Robert Weinman, 2nd Vice Chair
Barbara Burger, Secretary
Monica Williams, Treasurer
Dan Reicker, Member at Large
Dan Hone
Karen Knight
Gregory McMurray
Duncan Mellichamp
OSB CIRCLE OF HONOR
Mary Tonetti Dorra
Herbert Kendall*
Sarah Jane Lind*
Judith Smith
Arthur Swalley
Sandra Urquhart
Takako Wakita
Simon Williams
Mary Penny
Fred Sidon
VALUED FORMER BOARD MEMBERS
Richard Aberle*
Susan Aberle
Pat Andersons
James Ballantine
Britt Beauvoix
Peter Bertling
Marlyn Bernard Bernstein*
Sue Birch
Cynthia Brittain
Jim Burkemper*
Christopher Carroll*
Bonnie Corman
Marilyn Crawford
Roger Davidson*
Denise DeBellefeuille
George DeRado*
Josepha DeRado
Patricia Dixon
Mary Tonetti Dorra
Nick DiNapoli*
Jon DuPrau
Leni Fe Bland*
Kenneth Fitzpatrick
Louise Gaylord
Steve Gilbar
Nancy Golden
Mary Hampson
William Jones
Stuart Kart
Mahri Kerley
Jayne Menkemeller
Dylan Minor
Carolina Montgomery
A.C. Moore
Martin Moskovits
Eric Oltmann
David Peri
Paksy Plackis-Cheng
William Ramsay*
Ida Rickborn*
Jean Rogers
Joan Rutkowski
J. Gordon Schontzler*
Eric Small
Linda Van Buren
Joann Younger
Named in recognition of the support of Sarah and Roger Chrisman, the Chrisman Studio Artist Program began in 2007 with the purpose of identifying and developing talented young opera performers. For more than a decade, the program has provided singers, as well as coaches, with high-level performance opportunities and valuable training. These performers work with top industry directors, conductors, and coaches in masterclasses, coachings, and public performances including cover and mainstage role assignments. Studio Artists Alumni are in high demand and have performed at companies around the US including the Metropolitan Opera, the San Francisco Opera, Boston Lyric Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Washington National Opera, the Santa Fe Opera, and abroad with the Deutsche Oper Berlin, Teatro Regio, Opernhaus Zürich, Bregenzer Festspiele, Hong Kong Opera, and the Aix-en-Provence Festival.
2023/2024 CHRISMAN STUDIO ARTISTS
Meet our California-based 2023-2024 Chrisman Studio Artists who you will see throughout the season in our mainstage productions and concerts throughout our community.
GRAND IMPRESARIO
($25,000+)
Mrs. Susan Aberle
Nicholas Burlett and Jessie Dove
Sarah and Roger Chrisman
Fred and Nancy Golden
Christine and Michael Holland
Duncan and Suzanne Mellichamp
Dan and Romy Reicker
Joan Rutkowski
Marc and Pauline Sylvain
Dr. Robert and Sandy Uquhart
Dr. Robert Weinman
Bella Domani
John C. Mithun Foundation
The Hutton Parker Foundation
Robert & Mercedes
Eichholz Foundation
Green Hills Software
The Christopher Carroll Endowment
The Lobero Theatre Foundation
Elaine F. Stepanek Foundation
The Granada Theatre
The Mosher Foundation
PLATINUM IMPRESARIO
($24,999 - $10,000)
Fred and Roxana Anson
Eve Bernstein
Dan and Meg Burnham
Denise and Ian Burrows
Joan H. Davidson
Mary Tonetti Dorra
Cheryl and Michael Goldberg
Dan and Donna Hone
Dick and Marilyn Mazess
Farrokh and Sally Nazerian
Eric Oltmann and Susan Van Abel
Ms. Jean Rogers
Lee and Linda Rosenberg
Mr. Charles Schweppe & Ms. Ingrid Olsson
Owen Smith
Carol Vernon and Robert Turbin
Torben and Lauren von Staden
Takako Wakita
Dana White
Dr. and Mrs. Simon Williams
Brooke and Monica Williams
Montecito Bank & Trust
National Endowment for the Arts
George H. and Olive J. Griffiths Charitable Foundation
The Herbert and Elaine Kendall Foundation
The Towbes Fund for the Performing Arts
Ann Jackson Family Foundation
GOLD IMPRESARIO
($5,000-$9,999)
Mrs. Howard Arvey
Rodney Baker and Robert Ooley
James and Lisa Ballantine
Hiroko Benko
Dr. & Mrs. Aaron Budgor
Barbara H. Burger
Ms. NancyBell Coe
Louise Gaylord
Ms. Marilyn Gilbert
Mrs. Mahri Kerley
Mrs. Lillian Lovelace
Mr. David Mason
Dylan Minor
Christine and Stefan Riesenfeld
Mrs. Anne Towbes
Arlington Financial Advisors
City National Bank
Daniel Beck
Omar Rodriguez Baritone
Micihael Segura Baritone
Christina Pezzarossi Mezzo-Soprano
Georgia Jacobson Mezzo-Soprano
Sunwoo Park Soprano Ariana Homer Sutherland Soprano
Kyle Rudolf Tenor
SILVER IMPRESARIO
($2,500-$4,999)
Todd and Allyson Aldrich
Debbie and Mike Bruce
Veronique Chevalier
Cecilia Harris
Brian and Jana Galura
Dr. Gerhart Hoffmeister
Chris Lancashire
Dr. and Mrs. Ron Latimer
Sizhuang Liang
Shuji and Yuki Nakamura
Mr. Kostis Protopapas
David Reichert
Mr. Merlin Rossow
Eric Small
Judith Smith
Thomas Tunberg
Philip Wyatt
Ronus Foundation
The Hamister Foundation
TOArts
Seniel Ostrow Foundation
Performing Arts Scholarship Foundation
Schweickert & Company
IMPRESARIO
($1,500-$2,499)
Richard and Kathy Abbott
Robert F. Adams and Nancy Clare Caponi
Jim Craviotto
Linda Di Fiore
Bill and Ellie Freudenstein
Mrs. & Mr. Fred Gillmore
Joy Holman
Karin Jacobson
Richard and Connie Kennelly
Karen Knight
Dr. and Mrs. Ernest Kolendrianos
Sue Larsen
Gail Lucas
Judith Muller
Ms. Staci Richard
Irene and Mel Sahyun
Nancy B. Schlosser
Susan Schmidt
Mort and Judy Weisman
Drs. Fred and Linda Wudl
Oshay Family Foundation
Casa Dorinda
Vista del Monte
PATRONS OF THE OPERA
AFICIONADO
($500-$1,499)
Guenter Ahlers
Dr. Michele Andina
David Asbell
Jim Bagley
Peter Bonner
Ed Bookin
Suzanne D. Bucy
Trudi Carey
Agatha Carubia
Tanner Cassidy
Mary Blackwood Collier
Dr. Bonnie Corman
Suzanne Danielson
Monica Eiler
Mark Evans
Jonathan Fox
Albert & Bessie Warner Fund
Mary Furner
Robert and Mary Gates
John and Ilse Gilbert
Michael and Elaine Gray
Miles Hartfeld
Dr. and Mrs. Alan Heeger
John and Deb Hillis
Barbara Hirsch
Natalia and Michael Howe
Barbara Hume
Rose Jaffe
Kent and Holly Jennings
Pamela and John Johnson
James Kashian & Thomas Proctor
Sally Kinney
James & Elinor Langer
Michael Lewellen
Ms. Julia Lowell
Janet McCann
Frank McGinity
David and Elise McKee
Gregory McMurray
Sarah and Ryan Mills
Anthony and Revae Moran
Rosemary & Nicholas Mutton
Alan and Audry Nafziger
Mary Nisbet
Tracy and Vicki Noll
Priscilla Peale
Susan and Jennings Schmidt
Jill and Scott Seltzer
Chuck and Missy Sheldon
Drs. Michael and Beverly Steinfeld
Mr. Arthur Swalley
Frank Tabar
Mr. Eric Oltmann and Ms. Susan Van Abel
Sandra Walther
Charles Weis
Isabel Wendt
Parmele Williams
Skov Jensen Family Fund
Santa Barbara Trust For Historic Preservation
SUSTAINER
($250-$499)
Tim Accurso
Julia Barnett
Mr. Robert Benham
Chris Brock
Artis Chamberlin-Pattison
Greg and Traci Davis
Edward S. De Loreto
Steve Epstein
Drs. Peter C. Ford and Mary Howe-Grant
Jerry & Sandy Gothe
Cassandra Grant
Robin Hennessy
Richard Hughes
Mr. Peter Kazaras
Bruce Klores
Kathryn S. Lawhun and Mark Shinbrot
Doug and Martha Lorch
J. Hans Meissner
Lori Kraft Meschler
PATRONS OF THE OPERA
Christina Omdahl
Pauline Paulin
Susan Renfrew
Anitra Sheen
Mr. Steven R. Siegel and Ms. Joan Tapper
Debra Stewart
Samantha Stout
Katie Szopa
Marylove Thralls and Michael Hackett
Gary Yencich
Tom Zavisca
HumanGood NorCal
CONTRIBUTOR
($100-$249)
Roger Adams
Catherine Albanese
Isabel Bayrakdarian
Megan Bell
James Benham
Peter and Linda Beuret
Mr. Lawrence Merkle
& Ms. Susan Bredhoff
Mary Ann Campbell
Mr. and Mrs. John Carter
Ms. Patricia Carver
Ms. Marian Chuan
Joseph and Margaret Connell
Sarah Cooke
Mr. Gerald Corrigan
Cheryl De Bari Schaible
Sharon and John Dobson
Nina Dunbar
Marilyn Ebbin
Mr. and Mrs. Felstiner
Betty Fussell
Alan Gould
Ms. Carolyn Holmquist
Mr. & Mrs. David Hybert
Mr. & Mrs. John Jamieson
Nir and Gaja Hubbard Kabaretti
Anonymous
Lois Kaplan
Lynette Klawon
Nick and Voula Konidaris
George Konstantinow & Helene Segal
Kate Leary
Dr. and Mrs. Fima Lifshitz
Christie R. Lloyd
Russ and Pam Lombardo
Julie Lopp
Amy Marshall
Kathleen McCabe-Martin
Cecily MacDougall
Della and Art McKinster
Peggy Merizalde
Ms. Ann Millican
Kerry Mistretta
James Moresi
Mrs. Jean Nell
Diane Noel
Jean Palmer-Daley
Lynne Ramsey
Christina Ramsey
Judith Rice
Mr. Raymond Riezman
Dr. Daniel Rimkus
Robert E. Ronus
Dr. Paula Rudolph
Ray Saturnino
Barbara Sedlin
Adrian Spence
Irene & Robert Stone
William & Carlotte Theeringer
Danae Theofanous
Drs. Jack Tiethof and Anita Sy
Bicky Townsend
Raymond and Ursula Tracy
Philip Trevezas
Jeanne Ullom
Marilyn Wales
Ms. Candace White
Mr. & Mrs. James Wolfe
Charles Wylie
Julija Zonic
MacFarlane, Faletti & Co., LLP
PATRONS OF THE OPERA
FRIEND
(UNDER $100)
Mrs. Joan Agress
Megan Bell
James Benham
Daniel & Karen Bergen
Anandamoy Bhattacharjie
John and Hazel Blankenship
Sarah Boyajian
Mr. Lawrence Merkle & Ms. Susan Bredhoff
Ms. Jehanne Brown
Don Broydes
Mary Ann Campbell
Mr. and Mrs. John Carter
Frances L. Casher
Dr. and Mrs. David Chernof
Ms. Marian Chuan
Nichol Clark
Anne Marie Claydon
Mr. Gerald Corrigan
Lance Crawford
Telma Dawallo
Cheryl De Bari Schaible
Monica De la Hoya
Barbara Dixon
James Dougherty
Nina Dunbar
Marilyn Ebbin
Mr. and Mrs. Felstiner
Darrolyn Fennelly and Randy Stephens
Betty Fussell
Mary & Blas Garza
Annette Goena
Kendra Green
Nancy Greep
Pamela Gunther
Ms. Carolyn Holmquist
Mr. & Mrs. David Hybert
Mr. & Mrs. Palmer Jackson Jr.
Nir and Gaja Hubbard Kabaretti
Dr. Ronald Karzel
Colleen M. Kelly
Mrs. Lynn P. Kirst
Lynette Klawon
George Konstantinow & Helene Segal
Ms. Vale Laraia
Kate Leary
Julie Lopp
Dr. and Mrs. Aaron Budgor
Amy Marshall
Kathleen McCabe-Martin
Cecily MacDougall
Frank Migliazza
Ms. Ann Millican
Kerry Mistretta
James Moresi
Dr. & Mrs. Mead Northrop
Ms. Mary Orcutt
Ms. Kathryn Organ
Jean Palmer-Daley
Peter Parziale
Dr. Marilyn K. Perry
Judith Rice
Dr. Daniel Rimkus
Patricia Rodriguez
Judith and Michael
Shaun Sanders
Gabriel & Leighanna Sears
Barbara Sedlin
Mr. & Mrs. Alan Smith
Douglas Steigerwald
Drs. Jack Tiethof and Anita Sy
Bicky Townsend
Jeanne Ullom
Marilyn Wales
Ms. Candace White
Marjorie Woodruff
Valerie Yoshimura
OSB at 30 A Celebration!
THANK YOU
To our 30th Anniversary sponsors:
Susan & Michael Aberle
Rodney Baker & Robert Ooley
James Ballantine
Bella Domani
Nicholas Burlett & Jessie Dove
Ian & Denise Burrows
Joan Davidson
Mary Dorra
Brian Galura
Marilyn Gilbert
Gerhart Hoffmeister & Britt Iliff
Christine & Michael Holland
Mahri Kerley
Chris Lancashire
David Mason
Duncan & Suzanne Mellichamp
Farrokh & Sally Nazerian
Daniel & Romy Reicker
Jean Rogers
Lee & Linda Rosenberg
Judith Smith
Arthur Swalley
Anne Towbes
Sandy & Bob Urquhart
Torben & Lauren von Staden
Takako Wakita
Robert Weinman
Opera Santa Barbara has decided not to host an Annual Gala this year. We believe that when times are hard our resources should go into our core mission of producing amazing shows and supporting artists. The individuals above gave generously to our 30th anniversary campaign in lieu of a gift at our annual gala. OSB at 30 supporters are invited to an exclusive cocktail party on the Lobero stage featuring performances by favorite OSB artists.
If you would like to join us, please reach out at Kostis@operasb.org.
Thank you!
Tariqh Akoni
Leslie Bains
Deborah Bertling
Dan Burnham
Sarah Schlinger Chrisman
Brooks Firestone
Rick Fogg
Janet Garufis
Yvette Birch Giller
Time Honored Montecito Living
“Casa Dorinda combines the magic of a historic estate, a lively social scene, and unparalleled private healthcare. Peace of mind has never been so inviting.”
Charles C. Gray
Roberta Griffin
Palmer Jackson Jr.
Jamie Maguire
F. Robert Miller III
Stephanie Nicks
Maria Schmidt
Merryl Snow Zegar
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