Elmer Gantry, Tulsa Opera’s second main stage opera this season, was presented on Friday, February 28th at 7:30pm and Sunday, March 2nd at 2:30pm in Chapman Music Hall of the Tulsa Performing Arts Center. Directed by Kristine McIntyre, the production stars baritone Keith Phares who created the role of Elmer Gantry in the world premier in Nashville in 2007 and starred in Florentine Opera’s 2010 Grammy Award winning recording and Kirstin Chavez as Sharon Falconer, these characters modeled after evangelists Billy Sunday and Aimee Semple McPherson, first presented in the iconic novel by Sinclair Lewis in 1926.. In this special three hour program we’ll hear the performance and enjoy fascinating insights from the composer Robert Aldridge, librettist Herschel Garfein, cast members and Tulsa Opera's Artistic Director Kostis Protopapas!
Special previews:
- Robert Aldridge & Herschel Garfein talk about creating Elmer Gantry
- Kostis Protopapas on the Opera's virtuosic choral writing
Listen as Performance Oklahoma presents Tulsa Opera's Elmer Gantry Saturday evening at 8 on Classical 88.7-1.