Opera Santa Barbara contributes to the cultural enrichment of audiences by presenting exciting, high-quality productions and community programs that celebrate the breadth and beauty of opera.

2 tickets to either Il Trovatore or Zorro

Il Trovatore:

On Friday, February 9th, and Sunday, February 11th, 2024 at the Lobero the company presents a new production of Verdi’s historical melodrama Il trovatore (“The troubadour”). A story of superstition, revenge, and ill-fated love in medieval Spain combined with some of Verdi’s most passionate melodies including the famous “Anvil Chorus”, makes Il trovatore the quintessential Italian romantic opera. The powerhouse cast stars tenor Harold Meers (Il tabarro, 2021, Carmen, 2016) soprano Karin Wolverton (Eugene Onegin, 2019), baritone Timothy Mix (Das Rheingold, 2021) and bass Andrew Potter (Don Pasquale, 2021), with mezzo soprano Deborah Nansteel making her company debut. Kostis Protopapas conducts the Opera Santa Barbara Orchestra and Chorus. Chuck Hudson directs a new production designed by Steven Kemp.

Zorro:

The season will close on Friday, April 19th, and Sunday, April 21st, 2024 at the Lobero Theatre, with the company premiere of Hector Armienta’s swashbuckling adventure Zorro. Premiered in 2022 at Opera Southwest, Zorro is based on the adventures of Johnston McCully’s legendary pulp hero, the dashing masked vigilante who defends the commoners and indigenous peoples of California against tyrannical officials. Tenor Xavier Prado stars in the title role and soprano Oriana Falla is his beloved Ana Maria, both in their company debuts. Mezzo soprano Kelly Guerra returns as the high-born Carlotta, baritone Bernardo Bermudez portrays the hero’s nemesis Moncada. Anthony Barrese, who conducted the 2022 premiere, will lead the Opera Santa Barbara Orchestra and Chorus in his company debut. The production, which will feature sets and projections by Daniel Chapman (Madama Butterfly, 2019), will be directed by Octavio Cardenas, who last directed Cruzar la cara de la luna in 2021.