Singing in the Grove

It couldn’t have been a more picturesque locale when Opera Santa Barbara hosted its second Opera in the Park concert at Godric Grove in Elings Park.

More than 150 fans turned out to watch five singers, all Chrisman Studio Artists, sing famous opera works and music from the likes of Rossini, Verdi, Bizet, Mozart, Puccini, Cole Porter, and Leonard Bernstein.

The accomplished warblers were mezzo-sopranos Christina Pezzarossi and Max Potter, tenor Kyle Rudolf, baritone Matt Peterson, and bass Colin Ramsey accompanied by Opera SB’s principal pianist Tim Accurso. 

With works from The Barber of Seville, Rigoletto, Carmen, Così fan tutte, Don Giovanni, West Side Story, Anything Goes, Man of La Mancha, and Tosca, which Opera SB is performing at the Granada on October 1, the 90-minute concert was hard to beat.

Among those enjoying the music and panoramic views were Ed and Sue Birch, Roger and Sarah Chrisman, Robert and Sandy Urquhart, Robert Weinman, Mary Dorra, Simon Williams, park director Dean Noble, and Howard Jay Smith and Patricia Dixon.

“It was an idyllic event,” says Nina Dunbar, Director of Development. “The stifling heat had dropped considerably, and we were fanned by cooling Pacific breezes. A wonderful combination.”