Marilyn Gilbert

Opera Santa Barbara (OperaSB) will present a free performance of its final 25th Anniversary season offering of The Crucible, 10 am Monday, April 29 at the Lobero Theatre. Underwritten in part by Montecito Bank and Trust and the Musician's Union Fund, 570 students from around the Santa Barbara and Ventura area will experience Robert Ward's Pulitzer Prize-winning opera.

Opera Santa Barbara closes its 25th Anniversary Season with an OSB premiere of Robert Ward's Pulitzer Prize-winning opera, The Crucible, 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 26 and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 28, at the Lobero Theatre. General and Artistic Director Kostis Protopapas to conduct and Stephanie Havey to direct.

Opera Santa Barbara (OSB) celebrates its 25thanniversary on Saturday evening January 26, 2019, with a GALA CONCERT and spectacular party honoring Marilyn Gilbert who co-founded the company with the late Nathan Rundlett. The event will begin with a champagne reception for all ticket holders before the 6:00 pm concert.

The Board of Directors of Opera Santa Barbara is pleased to announce that its Artistic Director, Kostis Protopapas has accepted additional responsibilities as General Director for the organization. At their November 27th meetings, the Executive Committee and the full board unanimously approved a proposal to create a new position for Mr. Protopapas as both Artistic and General Director.

Opera Santa Barbara will open its 2017-18 season with a sumptuous production of Jules Massenet's sultry Manon starring celebrated soprano Sarah Coburn at 7:30 pm on Friday, November 3, followed by an encore performance at 2:30 pm on Sunday, November 5.

Opera Santa Barbara will present a series of free noontime concerts at Santa Barbara and Ventura County libraries through mid-April.

Opera Santa Barbara has named Frederick Sidon and Duncan Mellichamp Honorary Board Members in recognition for their many extraordinary efforts on behalf of the company. Current Board members conferred the title on Messrs.

Subscription sales have begun for Opera Santa Barbara's 2017-18 season, which will open with a sumptuous production of Jules Massenet's sultry Manon on November 3 and 5, followed by a sprightly staging of Gioachino Rossini's enduring comic masterwork The Barber of Seville on March 2 and 4.

Steven Sharpe, who charted an ambitious course for Opera Santa Barbara over 11 years, spearheading the company's first world premiere and otherwise elevating its stature through a series of new and expanded programmatic initiatives, is stepping down as general director. The company will immediately conduct a nationwide search for his successor.

Daniel Hone, a longtime professor of physics at UC Santa Barbara, has been elected to the Board of Directors for Opera Santa Barbara. His three-year term began in May.

Eric Small, a noted yoga practitioner and advocate for its use in treating multiple sclerosis and other disorders, has been elected to the Board of Directors for Opera Santa Barbara. His three-year term began in April.

Robert W. Weinman, a retired physicist and prominent supporter of performing arts organizations and cultural institutions regionally and beyond, has been elected to the Board of Directors for Opera Santa Barbara. His three-year term began in April. 

The Santa Barbara Youth Opera, in collaboration with Ojai Youth Opera and the Santa Barbara Youth Symphony, will present a fully staged production of Brundibar, Jewish Czech composer Hans Krasa's uniquely affecting children's opera, at the Lobero Theatre on Saturday, May 20. Performances will take place at 2:30 and 5 pm. Tickets cost $22 for adults and $7 for children 12 and under.

Opera Santa Barbara will conclude its 23rd season with the company's premiere production of Giacomo Puccini's sensuous and poignant operetta La Rondine at the historic Granada Theatre on April 28 and 30. Performances will take place at 7:30 pm on Friday, April 28, and at 2:30 pm on Sunday, April 30. Ranging in price from $29 to $204, tickets can be purchased at www.granadasb.org or by calling 805-899-2222. 

Superstar soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian will headline Opera Santa Barbara's ambitious new production of Czech composer Leoš Jana?ek's heartwarming and imaginative The Cunning Little Vixen at the Granada Theatre on March 3 and 5.

Opera Santa Barbara will honor Emeritus Director Frederick Sidon at its annual Opera Ball gala today, February 17, in the Four Seasons Biltmore's Loggia Ballroom.

Superstar soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian will headline Opera Santa Barbara's ambitious new production of Czech composer Leoš Jana?ek's heartwarming and imaginative The Cunning Little Vixen at the Granada Theatre on March 3 and 5.

Opera Santa Barbara (OSB) will present a series of free masterclasses led by a succession of top industry professionals and featuring the company's resident Mosher Studio Artists and other outstanding young singers through May, as well as free concerts throughout Santa Barbara libraries through mid-May.

The Opera Lab, Opera Santa Barbara's innovative outreach program for children, will tour area elementary schools beginning next week. Opera Lab sessions will take place at Foothill and Monte Vista elementary schools in Santa Barbara on Monday, January 30; Briggs School in Santa Paula on Tuesday, January 31; Santa Barbara Charter School on Thursday, February 2; and Marymount of Santa Barbara on Friday, February 3.

Opera Santa Barbara will honor Emeritus Director Frederick Sidon at its annual Opera Ball gala on Friday, February 17, in the Four Seasons Biltmore's Loggia Ballroom.