“An evening with Tulsa Opera” at the Freeland Center

Tonight, Thursday, April 18, at 7:30 p.m., Tulsa Opera’s Filstrup Resident Artists will offer a free concert at Bristow’s Freeland Center for the Performing Arts on a first come, first served basis. The performance offers a unique hodgepodge of crowd-pleasing Broadway and opera compositions. Bristow High School choir students will join the group for a not-to-be-missed finale.

Throughout the school day, Tulsa Opera Artistic Director Aaron Beck will join Bristow Public School Choir Director Chapman Shields’ classes, working with choral students and offering them a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn operatic principles before joining Tulsa Opera artists onstage for the evening performance. Beck said, “We love performing both for kids and with kids, and we can’t wait to work with the Bristow choirs on this exciting concert.”

Grateful for the opportunity, Shields added “This is the finest opera talent in the world, who just so happens to call Tulsa home. Tulsa Opera is known for their incredible vocal skills and stunning performances. Our students get the unique opportunity to work with the Tulsa Opera during the day and then perform with them at night, which is something not many music programs get to experience. One of the biggest highlights will surely be when our very own high school choir gets to take the stage with the Opera for a big finale sure to leave you smiling. We are excited to host them for a night of what we're calling ‘The Best of Opera’'.

Speaking of the event’s title, it seems to be an ever fluid moniker in the making, depending upon the perspective of those naming it—truly a testament to the ways opera uniquely affects each individual. For instance, Tulsa Opera merely touts the experience as “An Evening with Tulsa Opera” with the formal flair of tried-and-true professional performers. Meanwhile, Shields and his students refer to it as “The Best of Opera” as they look forward to learning about and joining Tulsa Opera in the performance of popular, beloved musical operatic numbers. However, perhaps the funniest and most relatable moniker came from Dr. Chip Cooper with the Freeland, who noted that many involved have affectionately labeled the upcoming experience “What’s Opera, Doc?”in a nod to the cartoon of his childhood that first introduced him—and millions of others—to opera.

In 1957, Warner Bros. released “What’s Opera, Doc?”, starring Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd, as part of its Merrie Melodies short films series. The film features the characters in a parody of the classical works of Richard Wagner. Citing the film’s cultural and historical presentations, the Library of Congress chose it for preservation in the National Film Registry, during the 1990s. Aside from its accolades, the cartoon entertained children and adults alike while introducing all to opera. For the first time, many realized that opera is more than music and foreign language. It powerfully explodes with humor, drama, and relatability, eliciting and commanding emotion in ways that other performing arts cannot.

In regard to opera’s use of foreign language and storytelling, Cooper noted Tulsa Opera vocalists will do more than simply sing and perform with students. As they take the stage, he explained they will take a few moments to identify and describe each piece they will be performing, enabling the audience to understand beyond any language or interpretive barriers. He said “This is a unique way to listen to opera as it's not a complete opera but the artists singing their favorite arias or excerpts. Not only do they talk about the aria beforehand, but they also explain what it is. If it's in a foreign language, they will give you their interpretation, so you will understand what's going on. It is lovely.”

On behalf of the organization, Tulsa Opera General Director and CEO Lori Decter Wright shared perspective on the performance, saying “Our name is Tulsa Opera, but we are also Oklahoma’s opera. Opera is for everyone, and as Oklahoma’s only professional opera company, it’s important to us to make this wonderful art form available not only in Tulsa but throughout the state.We’re delighted to be able to perform in Bristow.”

Although admission to the performance is free, donations will be accepted at the door in support of Bristow Public Schools’ fine arts programs and the Freeland. Cooper noted the Freeland hopes to purchase 2 high-quality microphones in support of all performing musical artists with each costing around $500. All donations will be greatly appreciated.

Be sure to join Tulsa Opera and the Bristow High School choir for a wonderful night of opera and donate in support of students and performing artists for years to come.