Welcome to Opera Santa Barbara’s 2010|2011 season, my first as Artistic Director. I have designed a diverse program that appeals to both opera aficionados as well as those new to the art form. Following the artistic and critical success of Séance on a Wet Afternoon, it is my goal to continue expanding our repertoire while offering innovative productions of mainstream operas. Furthermore, I aim to present the full breadth and beauty of the operatic experience: “grand opera” at the Granada and more intimate “chamber” works at the Lobero; heartbreaking drama but also sparkling comedy and bittersweet satire; Italian Opera of two centuries and more recent American Opera.

Our new season is designed around the theme “Women, Relationships and Power” and each offering will explore a different perspective on the subject. I am delighted to announce a brand-new production of Verdi’s La Traviata, which I will direct along with the return of Valéry Ryvkin as conductor. This marks our first co-production with Opera San Jose, a partnership that provides us with many more resources than we could afford were we to do it individually. In the spirit of collaboration, I am thrilled to announce an association that is near and dear to my heart: the Resident Artists of the San Francisco Opera, in a fully staged double-bill of Pergolesi’s La Serva Padrona and Leonard Bernstein’s Trouble in Tahiti.

And to kick-off our season in celebratory style, I am honored to announce An Evening with Patricia Racette, a Gala concert featuring the extraordinary soprano with full orchestra. Ms. Racette is coming to us directly from the Met for a concert of the highest artistic quality that we will long remember.

From the costumes to the scenic design, from the conductors to the singers, I can assure you a “fresh” season of new productions never seen before, all with the goal of bringing opera of outstanding quality to the Santa Barbara community. I encourage you to subscribe today, enjoy the many benefits available to our season subscribers, and support your local opera company. I will see you at the opera!

- Jose Maria Condemi, Artistic Director