Opera Under the Mask

Somewhere between a swirl of silk gowns and the clink of champagne flutes, Opera Santa Barbara’s Moonlight Masquerade invited guests to slip behind velvet masks and enter the Rosewood Miramar for an evening of operatic enthrallment and Venetian glamor. As people entered to servers smoothly interweaving the masked crowd with  caviar and canapés, they were welcomed by event chair Melody Ellison and co-chair Jenna Jobst Reichental energetically greeting guests alongside the other gala committee members Joan Rutkowski, Michele Sakakibara, and Sandy Urquhart. 

Once guests were seated, the company quite suitably broke into Lloyd Webber’s “Masquerade” after which beautiful rendition it was time for the rest of the evening’s program, and to highlight the night’s honoree: Dr. Bob Weinman.

For those unfamiliar, Dr. Bob Weinman (besides being a strong supporter of the arts) prepares his own comical videos on YouTube to introduce each of Opera Santa Barbara’s productions. So it was only natural that he produced his own video detailing his life arc for the audience. The crowd chuckled along to facts about his childhood in Brooklyn, learning of his early love for music and song at the Met Opera, while getting glimpses into his extensive career as a (literal) rocket scientist with Northrop Grumman. 

OSB’s incomparable Kostis Protopapas took to the stage to tell of Dr. Bob Weinman’s longtime support, sharing as well anecdotes of the close friendship they’ve enjoyed; an affinity that transcends the arts and donor relations. With everyone buoyed by the heartfelt stories, the evening’s entertainment was ready to begin. 

Throughout the night, Opera Santa Barbara’s company took center stage with State Street Ballet performers interlaced between the different sets. From Roméo et Juliette’s “Je veux vivre” to West Side Story’s “Maria,” the range of performances warmed the entranced attendees with crowd favorites and OSB’s past highlights. Baritone Matthew Peterson, tenor Arnold Livingston Geis, and soprano Oriana Geis-Falla led the show with the full chorus mellifluously filling the space at key moments. 

The night’s menu was prepared by Caruso’s esteemed Chef Massimo Falsini with Jenavi’s wines affecting a delicate countermelody. The crisp bite and gentle minerality of Jenavi’s For Our Fire Heroes, a 2022 dry Riesling, accented the opening course of hand-pulled burrata adorned with the garlic-stuffed Confit Artichoke Romana, crunchy almonds and bitter greens balancing the creamy mound of fresh Italian cheese. 

Guests dined on Risi e Bisi – creamy risotto with a salty, Parmigiano Reggiano snap and hint of earth from sweet peas – between arias and conversations. Pleasure in the tenderloin dipped in bordelaise and sips of Jenavi Loyal Paco 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon were only deepened by Peterson’s gravelly baritone.

“Nessun dorma” from Puccini’s Turandot was bookended by the live auction and paddle raise with auctioneer Keith Fox leading the charge. The night reached a crescendo with the full set of performers singing La Traviata’s “Libiamo ne’ lieti calici.” Chorus members, spread throughout the room, stood up from their seats to let the song ring all around the audience – an operatic finale before the night melded into dessert and the dance floor. 

Sponsors included Joan Rutkowski, Santa Barbara Auto Group, Sandy and Robert Urquhart, Arlington Financial, Susan Aberle, Meg and Dan Burnham, Mary Dorra and Jean Rogers, Nancy and Fred Golden, the Granada Theatre, Dick and Marilyn Mazess, Torben and Lauren von Staden, Bob Weinman (naturally), Monica and Brooke Williams, Rodney Baker and Robert Ooley, Judy Dean, Bella Domani, Farmers & Merchants Trust Company, Mary Hampson, Glen “Jeep” and Nancy Holden, Daniel and Donna Hone, Arlene Larsen, Montecito Bank & Trust, Farrokh and Sally Nazerian, David Reichert, and Fred and
Linda Wudl.