Opera Santa Barbara (OSB) will present Opera at the Movies: Farinelli + Panel Discussion, 6:50-9:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17 at Center Stage Theater, 751 Paseo Nuevo Center, Santa Barbara.
Attendees are invited to a complimentary pre-film reception with refreshments, 6-6:45 p.m.
The free screening of the Golden Globe-winning biographical drama “Farinelli” will be followed by an expert panel discussion, serving as an prelude to OSB’s mainstage production of Handel’s “Caesar and Cleopatra.”
“Farinelli” is a 1994 internationally co-produced film directed by Gérard Corbiau, and starring Stefano Dionisi, Enrico Lo Verso, Elsa Zylberstein, and Jeroen Krabbé.
The film explores the world of George Frederic Handel and Baroque music through the life of the 18th-century Italian opera singer Carlo Broschi, known as Farinelli, considered the greatest castrato singer of all time.
Following the screening, the panel discussion will delve into the film’s operatic and historic context, examining how Baroque opera is being adapted for contemporary audiences.
The discussion directly ties into OSB’s upcoming production of “Caesar and Cleopatra” Feb. 27 and March 1 at the Lobero Theatre.
The panel features leading voices from the Santa Barbara’s academic and operatic communities including:
Derek Katz, associate professor of music history at UCSB. His research includes opera, and he first fell in love with Handel’s “Giulio Cesare” (the source material for “Caesar and Cleopatra”) from an ancient recording.
Stefanie Tcharos, associate professor of musicology at UCSB. Her research focuses on the critical history of opera and early modern music history, and she is the author of “Opera’s Orbit.”
Christina Pezzarossi Ramsey — Mezzo Soprano and former OSB Chrisman Studio Artist, she is currently performing the role of Cornelia in OSB’s “Caesar & Cleopatra.”
Simon Williams (panel moderator) is an OSB Board member and professor emeritus, UCSB Department of Theatre and Dance.
Admission is free, but a suggested donation of $25 is requested to support opera education for all ages. Reservations are required. Register at the Center Stage Theatre Box Office, or call 805-963-0408.
A provider of professional music theater for California’s Central Coast since 1994, Opera Santa Barbara has staged more than 95 productions of opera favorites, lesser-known classics, and contemporary American works. For more, visit operasb.org.