2016-2017 | 69th Season
GREG WEBER
| General Director & C.E.O. | Welcome to Tulsa Opera’s 69th Season – a year dedicated to the power of the human voice. From the intimately sublime PEARL FISHERS, to soaring opera hits and American song classics in an exclusive evening of PUCCINI TO POP, then the soul-baring, heart-wrenching sacrifice of TOSCA, and closing the year where imagination becomes reality in THE SNOW QUEEN – we promise to deliver musical excellence unmatched by any other art form. This extraordinary season demands exceptional talent, and we sought dynamic vocal mastery just for you with every artist having an Oklahoma debut. Nessun dorma, (No One Sleeps) – it’s not just an aria you’ll hear this season, but a commitment to the excitement and energy onstage. Be a part of this excitement. Be a part of Tulsa Opera.
TOBIAS PICKER
| Artistic Director |
Opera is king of all classical music genres. It has ruled its Tulsa kingdom for the better part of a century and you, the audience, are the jewel in its crown. Opera requires time, patience and commitment on both sides of the curtain. But, once hooked – we simply cannot live without it. All great opera actually describes itself through its performance. When you come to PEARL FISHERS, you’ll hear the tenor sing to you of enchanting night, divine rapture, delightful memory and mad euphoria. You’ll hear TOSCA beckon you to listen to the voices of the night as they rise through the starlit, shadowed silence and rain down desire from vaulted stars. Join us as we celebrate a new golden era for Tulsa Opera. Partake of an unparalleled emotional experience – one that you will never forget.
2 0 1 6 - 2 0 1 7 S E AS O N | AT A GLANCE |
Performances GEORGES BIZET
THE PEARL FISHERS
Friday | October 21, 2016 | 7:30pm Sunday Matinee | October 23, 2016 | 2:30pm
PUCCINI to POP Saturday | February 25, 2017 | 8:00pm
GIACOMO PUCCINI
TOSCA
Friday | May 5, 2017 | 7:30pm Sunday Matinee | May 7, 2017 | 2:30pm
Friendship, Food & Fun CASTA DIVA Saturday, October 29, 2016 | 6:00pm Mayo Hotel
VALENTINE’S DINNER FEATURING SARAH COBURN
THE SNOW QUEEN SINGLE TICKETS ADD-ON PERFORMANCE
Saturday | June 17, 2017 | 2:30pm & 7:30pm Sunday Matinee | June 18, 2017 | 2:30pm
Saturday, February 11, 2017 | 6:00pm Southern Hills Country Club
PRESIDENT’S COUNCIL Tuesday, October 11, 2016 | 6:00pm Tuesday, April 25, 2017 | 6:00pm Southern Hills Country Club
THE PEARL FISHERS BIZET’S
Opening Night Friday October 21, 2016 | 7:30pm Sunday Matinee October 23, 2016 | 2:30pm
Georges Bizet’s sensual tale of forbidden love and the bonds of true friendship is musical ambrosia. Tuneful and exotic, The Pearl Fishers centers on an unusual love triangle in which two men, Nadir and Zurga, compete for the same woman but are also loyal friends. They sing of their bond with each other and their love for Leila in one of the most exquisite duets in the operatic repertoire, Au fond du temple saint. In her role debut as Leila, the magnificent Sarah Shafer brings to Tulsa her “beautifully crystalline sound, perfectly true intonation, glowing warmth, and a total presence that hews in meaningful ways to text.” Another treat is the silky-voiced tenor Aaron Blake in his role debut as Nadir, touted as “a vocal powerhouse” by the Los Angeles Times. Adding to the vocal excellence will be the extraordinary baritone, Yunpeng Wang who makes his role debut as Zurga – four months before his debut as Mercutio at the Metropolitan Opera. With the Vienna State Opera’s consummate Maestro, Frédéric Chaslin on the podium, and dazzling sets and costumes by Dame Zandra Rhodes, Tulsa Opera’s season opener promises to be an unforgettable night.
FRÉDÉRIC CHASLIN Conductor Conductor, pianist, composer and author, Maestro Chaslin was born in Paris and educated at the Paris Conservatoire and the Salzburg Mozarteum. He is Chief Conductor and Music Director of the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, and has conducted at the MET, Vienna, Berlin, Munich, Leipzig, Madrid, Barcelona, Rome, Venice, Scotland, and Wales.
DENNI SAYERS Director British born and trained by Laine Theatre Arts, Ms. Sayers brings 30 years of international directing and choreography to Tulsa from famous opera houses such as: Royal Opera HouseCovent Garden, The Salzburg Festival, Glyndebourne Festival, Washington, Chicago, San Francisco, and Paris. She is currently choreographer for The Ring Cycle at Lyric Opera of Chicago.
A Classic Grand Opera
Sarah Shafer Leila
Language:
Sung in French with English titles projected above the stage.
Aaron Blake Nadir
World Premiere:
September 30, 1863 Théatre Lyrique in Paris, France
Yunpeng Wang Zurga
Jeremy Galyon Nourabad
One Performance Only! Saturday, February 25, 2017 | 8:00pm
PUCCINI Alyson Cambridge
David Miller (of Il Divo)
Michael Todd Simpson
Leona Mitchell
Sarah Joy Miller
toPOP
6 INTERNATIONALLYACCLAIMED ARTISTS gather on the Tulsa stage for an unforgettable evening of
SOARING OPERA HITS plus a dazzling selection of
MUSICAL FAVORITES!
A luxurious winter feast of soaring opera hits and musical favorites welcomes six internationallyacclaimed artists: sopranos Alyson Cambridge and Sarah Joy Miller, baritone Michael Todd Simpson and Il Divo tenor, David Miller, and special guest star, one of the greats from opera’s “golden era,” Leona Mitchell. You’ll hear beloved classics of Puccini (Nessun dorma), Verdi (Libiamo duet), Bizet (Habanera), Tchaikovsky (Onegin’s Act 1 aria), Gershwin (Summertime), Jerome Kern (You Are Love), Bernstein (Tonight) and many more, including a few surprises! The voices will be supported with a full orchestra conducted by the versatile and virtuosic James Lowe. All these jewels will be set upon the Tulsa stage with theatrical lighting and videography in a world premiere “big production” designed to travel beyond Tulsa in the future. This treasure of musical classics brings a return of the Saturday night performance in a one-night-only feast for audiences of all ages. Whether a seasoned opera aficionado, or someone who simply loves music and entertainment, Puccini to Pop promises a night to remember!
JAMES LOWE
KETURAH STICKANN
Conductor
Director Grammy nominated and leading
A veteran director and
America conductor of opera and
choreographer of stages
musical theatre, Maestro Lowe
in New York, Tokyo, Dallas
is Music Director and Conductor
Santa Fe, San Francisco and
of the Broadway production
Strasbourg, Ms. Stickann
of Les Misérables. He has
served as the movement
conducted at leading opera houses in Chicago, San
director for the highly acclaimed Jake Heggie
Francisco, New York and Houston. His arrangements
opera, Moby Dick. Her performances in two San
have been presented by the great Joyce DiDonato
Diego dance films earned a regional Emmy award
and he has performed in concert with Sir Elton John.
for Best Arts and Entertainment Award.
TOSCA PUCCINI’S
Opening Night Friday May 5, 2017 | 7:30pm Sunday Matinee Sunday May 7, 2017 | 2:30pm Tosca, the top pick of the Tulsa Opera audience wish list, will be delivered in a thrilling and passionate production. In this masterpiece of operatic melodrama, two men – mortal enemies – Mario Cavaradossi and Baron Scarpia, compete for the same woman, the diva Floria Tosca. Tosca must decide what she is willing to sacrifice to save her lover, and to save her honor. With such classic arias as Vissi d’arte, Puccini’s tragic Tosca classically rounds out our main stage season. Presenting legendary sopranos is one of the cornerstones of Tulsa Opera’s history. With the soaring and riveting intensity ˇ of Russian soprano Evelina Dobraceva in the title role, Tulsa Opera revives its tradition of presenting history-making Toscas. And in its tradition of presenting great tenors, Tulsa Opera brings you Finnish tenor Christian Juslin for his American debut as Tosca’s lover, Cavaradossi. Rounding out the leads as the heartless Scarpia is the remarkable Weston Hurt, of whose voice Opera News wrote, “a gorgeous baritone, which is golden, weighty and clear.” Also making his American debut is the young Italian Maestro, Francesco Cilluffo, dubbed “the conductor of the future” by La Stampa. The late French Jean-Pierre Ponnelle’s production adds the pièce de résistance to this grand opera experience.
FRANCESCO CILLUFFO Conductor In his American debut, composer and Maestro Cilluffo is from Turin, Italy. He has conducted in Liège, London, Milan, Moscow, Santiago, and Tel Aviv, and is a CRT Symphony Orchestra (Italy) regular guest conductor. His opera Il caso Mortara premiered in New York in 2010, followed by premieres of a choral cantata and a song cycle.
TIM OCEL Director A director who places emphasis on classic texts and superb explorations of the human condition, Mr. Ocel’s work has been seen across the United States. He is an Associate Artist at Geva Theatre (New York) and was Interim Artistic Director at the Sacramento Theatre Company. Ocel has perfected what good theatre requires – seamless collaboration among text, actors, designers, director, audience and performance space.
A Timeless Classic Language:
Sung in Italian with English titles projected above the stage.
World Premiere:
January 14, 1900 Teatro Costanzi, Rome
ˇ Evelina Dobraceva Floria Tosca
Christian Juslin Mario Cavaradossi
Weston Hurt Baron Scarpia
SPECIAL Season Add-On Performance!
THE SNOW QUEEN
Two Saturday Performances Saturday June 17, 2017 | 2:30pm | 7:30pm Sunday Matinee Sunday June 18, 2017 | 2:30pm Based on the Hans Christian Andersen story that inspired Disney’s smash hit Frozen, this work is firmly rooted in the Italian lyric opera tradition with rousing choral numbers and tuneful arias. On the heels of acclaimed European performances in Hamburg, Dresden and Venice and a two‐year sold-out run at the Berlin Comic Opera, Tulsa Opera presents the American premiere of The Snow Queen, a fairytale opera by Pierangelo Valtinoni that will delight adults and children alike. When young Kay falls under the spell of the Snow Queen – who freezes the hearts of all who cross her path – Kay’s best friend, Gerda, must summon all of her courage, love and perseverance to find him in the barren tundra of the Snow Queen’s realm and to melt his now-icy heart. This new production, created for Tulsa Opera in an English translation, features the voices of Tulsa Opera Resident Artists, our artist-in-residence program, and features Tulsa Youth Opera. Season ticket holders get early access to this wildly creative production and may purchase up to 10 tickets before they go on sale to the general public.
Blake & Melissa Will President’s Council
Friendship, Food & Fun Tulsa Opera offers exclusive events for patrons of all ages to enjoy. It’s a great way to have a great evening out while supporting your Tulsa Opera.
CASTA DIVA Saturday, October 29, 2016 | 6:00pm Mayo Hotel
VALENTINE’S DINNER FEATURING SARAH COBURN Saturday, February 11, 2017 | 6:00pm Southern Hills Country Club
PRESIDENT’S COUNCIL
Casta Diva
Tuesday, October 11, 2016 | 6:00pm Tuesday, April 25, 2017 | 6:00pm Southern Hills Country Club
See Order Form for Ticket Information
2016 Debutantes and Squires
Sarah Coburn
All subscribers can exchange tickets without hassle or fees by calling our ticket office.
Easy Ticket Exchange.
Subscribers always have the first pick of the premium seats. Choose where you want to sit and those seats will be yours for the entire season! You will also have the opportunity to request those same seats when you renew your subscription the next year.
Snag the Best Seats in the House.
When you subscribe, you save! It’s almost like getting three performances for the price of two!
Save Up to 35% off Single Ticket Prices.
Date: February 11, 2017 Spend Valentine’s weekend, Saturday February 11, 2017, with soprano Sarah Coburn at Southern Hills Country Club. Sarah will delight the audience with delicate, delightful and daring arias as you dine on Master Chef Jonathan Moosmiller’s unforgettable meal in the spectacular ballroom of Southern Hills.
VALENTINE’S DINNER WITH SARAH COBURN
Dates: October 11, 2016 and April 25, 2017 Join the circle of supporters and merry-makers of opera and music in Tulsa. Since 1978 President’s Council has represented the best that life provides – Friendship, Food and Fun. Enjoy two of the most elegant and inviting nights experienced in Tulsa. In October and again in April, indulge yourself in two black tie celebrations where we’ll treat you to intimate performances by our stage stars while you enjoy a heavenly meal in the stately Southern Hills Ballroom.
PRESIDENT’S COUNCIL DINNERS
Visit tulsaopera.com for information!
NEW Event & Dinner Packages!
Date: October 29, 2016 Mystery, magic and music! This spellbinding evening includes cocktails, dinner, and dancing with music provided by Charlie Redd and the Full Flava Kings. Sensuous and provocative – surprises await you and your friends on this kickoff to the social season in Tulsa.
CASTA DIVA BALL
Your choice of any two of our main season performances. Select two performances when you place your order and designate whether you would prefer our Sunday or Friday series.
Events & Dinners
Includes Pearl Fishers, Puccini to Pop and Tosca. Choose from our Friday or Sunday series. This year we are also offering a special add-on performance of The Snow Queen that will be available as single tickets.
DUET SEASON
2016-2017 Season Packages FULL SEASON
SUBSCRIBER BENEFITS
q
q
DUET SEASON # of
2 3
Add Snow Queen
$_________ $_________ $_________ $_________ $_________ $_________ $_________ $_________
= = = =
x x x x
x _____ = x _____ = x _____ =
Make a Difference. Make a Donation GRAND TOTAL (from right column):
$
$_________
x _____ = _____ _____ _____ _____
$_________
x _____ =
Sat June 17 q 2:30pm q 7:30pm | Sun June 18 q 2:30pm $20 Adult x _____ + $12 Kids VOCAL SAMPLER Valentine’s Dinner with Sarah Coburn + Puccini to Pop q Prime Orchestra $326 q Rows U-Z $295 PRIMA PARTY President’s Council Dinners + Casta Diva $1,800 per ticket DINNER DELITE President’s Council Dinners + Valentine’s Dinner with Sarah Coburn $1,575 per ticket DINNER DELUX President’s Council Dinners + Valentine’s Dinner with Sarah Coburn + Casta Diva $2,025 per ticket MYSTERY & ROMANCE Valentine’s Dinner with Sarah Coburn + Casta Diva $675 per ticket VALENTINE’S DINNER WITH SARAH COBURN $250 per ticket PRESIDENT’S COUNCIL DINNER GALAS October 11, 2016 & April 25, 2017 $1,500 per ticket PRESIDENT’S COUNCIL DINNER GALAS (Under Age 35) October 11, 2016 & April 25, 2017 $750 per ticket
q Puccini to Pop + Tosca
918-587-4811.
or give us a call at
tulsaopera.com
events, please visit
on upcoming
Friday Sunday Friday Series Sunday Series Tickets Subtotal Please fill out both Section Rows Series Series (Pick 2) (Pick 2) Composer’s Circle F-T $297 $282 $198 $118 x _____ = $_________ sides of this order Prime Sides F-T $147 $141 $98 $94 x _____ = $_________ Orchestra U-Z $177 $165 $118 $110 x _____ = $_________ form, tear it out Orchestra Sides U-Z $141 $135 $98 $90 x _____ = $_________ Front Orchestra A-E $135 $129 $90 $86 x _____ = $_________ and then mail it to Back Orchestra AA-DD $75 $75 $50 $50 x _____ = $_________ Conductor’s Box A-G Right $186 $162 $124 $108 x _____ = $_________ us in the provided Director’s Box A-G Left $186 $162 $124 $108 x _____ = $_________ Mezzanine Center H-P $177 $150 $118 $100 x _____ = $_________ envelope. Mezzanine Sides H-P $132 $129 $88 $86 x _____ = $_________ Back Mezzanine Q-S $75 $75 $50 $50 x _____ = $_________ Select Your 2 Performances: Tulsa PAC q The Pearl Fishers + Puccini to Pop 16.50 $_________ REMINDER: Renew before August 15 to keep your seats! Facility Fee For more details q The Pearl Fishers + Tosca
q
FULL SEASON
Please Select Your Package 1 q
O R D E R FO R M
Season Subscription
Events & Dinners
q MasterCard
q Discover
q American Express
Signature ______________________________________________
Expiration: ____________________________ Security Code:______
Credit Card Number:______________________________________
q VISA
q Credit Card
q Check is Enclosed (made payable to Tulsa Opera)
Email:__________________________________________________
Phone Number:__________________________________________
State:_____________________________________ Zip:__________
City:___________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Street Address:
______________________________________________________
Name: (as it appears on credit card)
PAY M E N T I N FO R M AT I O N
TEAR HERE
FOLD HERE
Name: _________________________________________________
Name: _________________________________________________
Name: _________________________________________________
Name: _________________________________________________
Name: _________________________________________________
Name: _________________________________________________
Name: _________________________________________________
Name: _________________________________________________
Name: _________________________________________________
Name: _________________________________________________
G U E S T N A M E S (as you want them to appear on program)
___________________________________________________________________________
Y O U R N A M E (as you want it to appear on program)
Did You Know... Every performance is produced locally. Each production is prepared and rehearsed four weeks in Tulsa before opening night. Orchestra, chorus, stagehands, dressers, and other staff live right here in our area. One of us may be your neighbor!
Opera on Tour!
Tulsa Opera is the city’s oldest performing arts organization. Established in 1948, Tulsa Opera is celebrating its 69th consecutive season and is the 14th oldest opera company in the United States. The very first opera presented in Tulsa was Gounod’s FAUST in 1904. The Opera employs more than 130 local artists, technicians, and staff to present each of its productions. This represents a local economic impact on the community of $2.75 million. We offer tuition free vocal training for grades 3-12. The training is with opera voice professionals. Young adults audition annually for free training that includes vocal coaching and preparation as well as public performances.
Student Night at Tulsa Opera
Tulsa Youth Opera
Resident Artist Program
A free, auditioned chorus for singers in grades 3-12. The young performers receive training and mentorship along with the opportunity to perform at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center. This program has grown quickly and expanded in 2016 to support additional students.
Tulsa Opera nurtures emerging talent through this program, providing coveted artist training opportunities for young professional vocalists. These young professionals receive training and performance opportunities for 1-2 years at Tulsa Opera, and who are the core talent for the company’s extensive education and outreach programs.
Opera on Tour!
Your Donations Make It All Possible!
An accessible, hands-on program that reaches 24,000+ elementary and middleschool students annually. Tulsa Opera brings the magic of live performance and professionally-led arts education experiences to students across the region. More than just a touring performance, Opera on Tour! is a multifaceted, participatory arts experience.
Student Night
1,000+ students attend the final dress rehearsals of the Tulsa Opera main stage productions at no charge. For many in attendance, this is their first live performance experience. The incredible appetite, energy, and involvement that the young audience brings to the show make this a favorite performance for singers.
Special Donor Benefit Information at www.tulsaopera.com
1610 South Boulder Tulsa, Oklahoma 74119-4479
TOSCA PUCCINI’S