Protopapas Stays to Lead Opera Santa Barbara

Opera Santa Barbara just announced a major win: artistic and general director Kostis Protopapas is staying on for another decade, through the 2028–2029 season. Since taking the helm in 2015 and expanding into general director in 2017, Protopapas has turned the company into a powerhouse known for bold, accessible programming that blends classics with fresh picks — all while selling out every show. Under his leadership, the orchestra, chorus, and production quality have soared, and he’s nurtured local talent and built a strong administrative team. Big hits like “Manon,” “Eugene Onegin,” and “Il Postino” have cemented their reputation, including California premieres. The next season already includes “Rigoletto,” “The Barber of Seville,” and “Riders of the Purple Sage.” Protopapas called his decade here the highlight of his career and thanked the board, fans, and donors — and he’s just getting started. Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/a7167c8e96d255cc