Era of Inclusion sets stage for Tulsa Opera’s 71st season

Tulsa Opera announces its 2018-2019 season, beginning an era of inclusion on its stage. 

Beginning with Rossini’s The Barber of Seville, tenor Aaron Blake returns as Count Almaviva, an aristocrat who falls in love with the lovely Rosina, the niece and ward of Dr. Bartolo.

As the innocent Rosina, Tulsa favorite Sarah Coburn embodies the true spirit of a Rossini heroine. The coy matchmaker, Figaro, played by Steven LaBrie in his Oklahoma debut, schemes and disguises his way to help Almaviva win Rosina’s heart. Mexican Roberto Kalb, the Resident Conductor at Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, brings freshness and command to the cast and orchestra. 

The Little Prince by the prolific film composer, Rachel Portman, brings an adaptation of the much-beloved book by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.

A prince befriends a pilot (Will Liverman-baritone) whose plane crashes, and they take the audience on a magical journey of discovery. Oklahoma natives Kristee Haney (mezzo-soprano) and Christine Taylor Price (soprano) round out the cast in the roles of The Fox and The Rose. Columbia native Lina Gonzalez-Granados has firmly established herself as a conductor. 

Making history with Don Giovanni, Tulsa Opera presents baritone, Lucia Lucas in her American operatic debut as a transitioned woman. Lucas’ appearance will mark the first time a transgender woman has performed a principal role on the operatic stage in the United States.

Lucas, “the most prominent transgender singer in the opera world,” will perform the title role of Don Giovanni, an infamous rogue, charmer, seducer and cheat whom everyone finds magnetically sexy and irresistible. Mozart’s Don Giovanni blends a dazzling combination of stark human tragedy and poignant comedy. British director Denni Sayers and Uruguayan conductor Andrés Cladera bring this opera to life.

All performances are in the Tulsa Performing Arts Center. Visit tulsaopera.com for shows and showtimes.

New season tickets will be available beginning June 6, 2018. Season tickets range from $90 to $273, include all mainstage shows and all associated fees. Mention The Gayly for 15 percent off season tickets.

For additional information, visit tulsaopera.com or call 918-587-4811.