Breaking News: Opera Santa Barbara is pleased to welcome Valentina Fleer as the soprano soloist for Tuesday’s Gala, “An Affair to Remember.” The Russian-American soprano has been drawing continuous attention for her “golden voice,” praised for its “shimmering clarity” and “sweetness and power.” This May she will sing Musetta in La bohème at the Los Angeles Opera, where she debuted last year as Barbarina in The Marriage of Figaro, conducted by Plácido Domingo. 

Originally from Moscow, Valentina grew up in New York City, where she studied at Columbia University and the Manhattan School of Music. She has participated in prestigious artist development programs including San Francisco Opera’s Merola Opera Program, where she sang Adina in The Elixir of Love; Glimmerglass Opera’s Young American Artists Program; and the Los Angeles Opera’s Domingo-Thorton Young Artist Program, where she is currently in her second year.

Recent engagements include Fiordiligi in Così fan tutte with Lake George Opera, and concert engagements at Carnegie Hall and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Later this season, Valentina will tour with the Munich Symphony Orchestra as the soprano soloist for Mozart’s Requiem. In her burgeoning career, she has had the privilege of working with industry greats including Plácido Domingo, James Conlon, William Bolcom, Warren Jones, and Sir Jonathan Miller.  Valentina has been awarded by the prestigious Richard Tucker Music Foundation and Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions.

[Valentina Fleer replaces the previously announced Micaëla Oeste, who has withdrawn due to illness.]

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[Photo credit: Anne M. Peterson]

The Host Program is an invaluable aspect of what we do. The reason is twofold: opening your homes allows OSB to put our dollars toward presenting the top-quality opera productions you see on our stage, rather than diverting these funds to hotel accommodations. In addition, this personal connection allows our artists (who are on the road for many months of the year) to feel truly at home during their stay in Santa Barbara, and eager to return.

Artist Hosts provide each artist with a private bedroom, bathroom, access to a kitchen, and an internet connection. The artists provide their own food, entertainment and transportation. Artists are in Santa Barbara for about 4 weeks for our mainstage productions.

If you’ve hosted an artist before, we hope you’ll continue to do so; if you’ve enjoyed your experience, please tell your friends!

Each Artist Host will receive:
• Two tickets for the production in which your artist performs. Value: $200.
• Admission to our opening and/or closing nights parties. Value: $150.
• A $100 cash stipend to offset any utility expenses incurred.
• Listing as an Artist Host in our program book.

Our primary hosting needs for the 2011-2012 Season are:

• The Marriage of Figaro (20 Artists)
[Approx. Feb. 26 to Mar. 26, 2012, Performances Mar. 23 & 25]

• Orpheus and Eurydice (12 Artists)
[Approx. Apr. 5 to Apr. 30, 2012, Performances Apr 27 & 29]

To become an Artist Host, or for further information, please email brian@operasb.com or call 805.898.3890.

“Opera in Film; The Sequel” will feature Mashey Bernstein talking about opera’s influence in modern films and is a sequel to the popular talk he gave last year. Using clips from Moonstruck, Godfather III (pictured on homepage), Apocalypse Now, Citizen Kane (pictured here) and others, this illustrated presentation will explore the significant ways that opera has been used in movies to enhance the plot, develop characters and comment on the theme.

The talk will be presented on Tuesday, January 17, at 5:30 pm at the Granada Theatre Founders Room, 1214 State Street. Please note this special date and location!

Tickets: $15 General, $12 Subscribers & Museum Members, $5 Students.

THE OPERA
Have you ever loved so deeply that you would storm heaven and earth for your heart’s desire? In Gluck’s Orpheus and Eurydice, Orpheus’s grief at the death of Eurydice is so profound Cupid is moved to appear, telling him he may go to the Underworld and bring her back to life. But there is a catch: he cannot look at her while they journey back.

THE TEAM
Directed by OSB’s own Artistic Director, Jose Maria Condemi and choreographed by American-based Greek choreographer Yannis Adoniou, Artistic Director of the renowned San Francisco-based KUNST-STOFF. Adoniou’s work explores the intersection of multiple art forms and aesthetics, employing dance as the central medium. His growing body of work has defined a signature style that combines classical rigor with the unbridled expressivity of improvisation and abstract modern idioms.

www.kunst-stoff.org
www.josemariacondemi.com

THE PROSPECTIVE DANCER
Contemporary dancers with strong classical ballet training and modern techniques. Partnering skills also required.

AUDITION INFORMATION
All dancers will be seen at the same time, please plan to stay for the full time period. Candidates should wear clothes that allow them to move freely. Ladies should not wear point shoes. Please come warmed up.

WHEN: Monday, January 23, 2012 from 7 – 9pm

WHERE: The Adderley School & Studios
319-B State Street, Santa Barbara CA 93101

We will be able to see about 20 dancers on a first-come first-serve basis.
For further information call Brian at 805.898.3890.

TO SIGN UP PLEASE EMAIL auditions@operasb.com by the morning of Friday, January 20.

Opera Santa Barbara invites you to join us for an enchanting Valentine’s evening at the Four Seasons Biltmore. We will begin with a cocktail reception and silent auction before a romantic candlelight dinner accompanied by operatic arias and duets. Andrew Firestone will preside as auctioneer at an exciting live auction followed by dancing to the fun and sophisticated sounds of the Society Jazz quartet with crooner Glenn Novak.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012, 5:30 pm
Loggia Ballroom, Four Seasons Biltmore Hotel
1260 Channel Drive, Santa Barbara

Individual tickets: $250; VIP Tables of Eight: $3,000

Cocktail attire suggested, black tie optional.

Reservations can be made by calling 805.898.3890.

WHEN: Wednesday, March 7, 14, 21; April 11, 18

WHERE: Granada Theatre (McCune Founders Room)
1214 State Street, SB CA 93101

(Dates subject to change, please call 898.3890 to confirm)

Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Tre Lune Restaurant
1151 Coast Village Rd, SB CA 93108
Cost: $110 per person

Reservations required, accepted after February 1 by calling Tre Lune: 805.969.2646

Opera Santa Barbara gift certificates make the perfect year-round gift for your loved ones, friends, and colleagues.

Gift certificate may be used towards the purchase of tickets to any Opera SB performance, and can be issued in any amount.

OSB will mail the certificate to you, or we can send it directly to the recipient with your own personal message. With upcoming productions of Mozart’s sparkling “Marriage of Figaro” and Gluck’s gorgeous “Orpheus and Eurydice” (not to mention our as-yet-to-be-announced 2012-2013 season offerings) there will be something that everyone will love-

CLICK HERE TO GIVE YOUR CERTIFICATE TODAY!