Tulsa Opera Stages LA BOHEME This Weekend

Tulsa Opera opens its 68th season with a perennial audience favorite, Puccini's LA BOHÈME, this weekend, October 16 and 18 in the Chapman Music Hall of the Tulsa Performing Arts Center. LA BOHÈME is recognized as one of the world's most popular operas, featuring some of Puccini's most ravishing music, including instantly recognizable hits such as "Muzetta's Waltz," "Che gelida manina" and "O soave fancuilla." Although it's set in 19th Century Paris, LA BOHÈME's theme of five young "bohemians" looking for love and success in the big city resonates with modern audiences of all ages.

"Puccini's LA BOHÈME, like its protagonists, is eternally young: always spontaneous, charming, exhilarating, humorous and heartbreaking" said Tulsa Opera Artistic Director Kostis Protopapas. "I look forward to working on this beloved score again with our exciting cast, and sharing the richness of its story and its music with our audience."

Karin Wolverton, whose sparkling soprano enchanted audiences in her 2014 debut as Micaela in Carmen, stars as Mimi. Nathan Granner, a member of Sony Masterworks' Grammy Award-winning group The American Tenors, makes his Tulsa Opera debut as Rodolfo. Tulsa Opera Studio alumnus Alexander Elliott, who was last seen in 2013 as Count Almaviva in The Marriage of Figaro, returns as Marcello and Mary Hollis Hundley makes her debut as Musetta. Nathan Stark debuts in the role of Colline and Tony Dillon, who charmed audiences as Alidoro in the 2014 production of Cinderella returns in the dual role of Benoit and Alcindoro. Stage director Tara Faircloth (The Barber of Seville 2011, The Daughter of the Regiment 2012) brings her vision to this production with sets provided by Lyric Opera of Kansas City. Tulsa Opera Artistic Director Kostis Protopapas conducts the Tulsa Opera Orchestra. LA BOHÈME is sung in Italian with English translations projected above the stage.

LA BOHÈME opens on October 16 at 7:30 p.m., followed by a matinee performance on October 18 at 2:30 p.m. All performances are the in the Chapman Music Hall of the Tulsa Performing Arts Center at 101 East Third Street. Single tickets are on sale now, ranging from $25-$115, and may be purchased at www.tulsaopera.com or by phone at 918.587.4811. Season tickets are also available.

Tulsa Opera's 2015-16 continues on on March 4 and 6, 2016 with the Oklahoma premiere of Academy Award and Grammy Award-winning conductor and composer Andre Previn's A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE. Previn's melodic, jazz-inflected score and libretto by Philip Littell faithfully capture Tennessee William's Pulitzer Prize-winning Southern Gothic. Soprano Caroline Worra makes a much anticipated Tulsa Opera debut as Blanche DuBois and Jordan Shanahan debuts as Stanley Kowalski. Sarah Jane McMahon debuts as Stella Kowalski and James Callon returns as Harold Mitchell. Acclaimed theater and opera director, and personal associate of Tennessee Williams, David Schweizer debuts as stage director. Sets are a co- production of San Francisco Opera's Merola Opera Program, Opera Santa Barbara and Kentucky Opera. Artistic Director Kostis Protopapas conducts the Tulsa Opera Orchestra. A Streetcar Named Desire is sung in English with English surtitles projected above the stage.

For its season finale on May 6 and 8, 2016, Tulsa Opera presents a lavish production of Camille Saint-Saens' masterwork, SAMSON AND DELILAH. Following the popular biblical tale from the Book of Judges, Samson and Delilah is known for including some of the most beautiful music ever composed for the mezzo-soprano voice, such as the famous aria "Mon coeur s'ouvre a ta voix;" in addition to exquisite choral music and the famous bacchanal. Dana Beth Miller, who last appeared as Amneris in Aida, portrays Delilah alongside Frank Porretta, last seen as Pollione in Norma, as Samson, and legendary bass Samuel Ramey returns to Tulsa Opera as the Old Hebrew. Baritone Peter Lindskoog, a Tulsa Opera favorite, returns as the High Priest of Dagon. Crystal Manich returns as stage director following her triumphant debut with this season's Romeo and Juliet. Kostis Protopapas conducts the Tulsa Opera Orchestra. Sets are from Pittsburgh Opera. To bring this production to life, Tulsa Opera joins forces with Tulsa Oratorio Chorus and Portico Dans Theatre. Samson and Delilah is sung in French with English translations projected above the stage.

Tulsa Youth Opera, Tulsa Opera's premiere music training program for young singers in third through twelfth grades, presents Dean Burry's THE HOBBIT, on June 18 and 19, 2016, as part of Tulsa Performing Arts Center's Summerstage Festival. Based on the beloved novel by J.R.R. Tolkien, Burry's opera for young people and performed by young people brings to life all the magic of Middle Earth with a hummable score populated with hobbits, elves, wizards, orcs and a dragon. The opera was premiered to critical acclaim and sold out houses by Canadian Children's Opera Chorus in 2004 and has enjoyed frequent performances throughout the U.S. Tulsa Opera is very pleased to present this production by special arrangement with the composer and publisher in conjunction with the Tolkien estate.

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