Star in Attendance for ‘Celebrating Black Excellence: Leona Mitchell’ Event at Circle on Thursday February 29
Circle Cinema and Tulsa Opera will welcome Leona Mitchell, Oklahoma’s opera star, back to Tulsa for “Celebrating Black Excellence: Leona Mitchell” on Thursday, February 29. The evening will include a 1989 film of Verdi’s “Un Ballo in Maschera” starring Ms. Mitchell, a Q&A session following the film with Ms. Mitchell, and a live Tulsa Opera performance preceding the film. Tickets to the event are $5 for Circle Cinema members and $10 general admission, on sale now at CircleCinema.org.
“Leona Mitchell has graced stages across the world with her powerful and captivating voice,” said Aaron Beck, Tulsa Opera’s Artistic Director. “Ms. Mitchell’s authentic spirit embodies the rich cultural tapestry of her home state. She is a friend to artists and a true Oklahoma treasure.”
“We are proud to join Tulsa Opera in honoring Leona Mitchell,” said Ryan Thomas, Circle Cinema Programmer. “The evening will be a great opportunity for long-time fans and new followers of the opera to join in celebrating her work as one of Oklahoma’s premier performing artists.”
Ms. Mitchell will be in attendance at the event, which begins with a 6pm reception. Light bites and drinks will be available while guests enjoy a live performance by Stephanie Washington, Tulsa Opera’s Filstrup Resident Artist. At 7pm, see a 1989 recording of Ms. Mitchell as the lead soprano role in “Un Ballo in Maschera” from the world-famous Sydney Opera House. Composed by Guiseppe Verdi, the opera is a tragedy that unfolds the true tale of political intrigue, forbidden love, and betrayal, set against the backdrop of a masked ball in 18th-century Sweden. The film runs 1hr 19min. Ms. Mitchell will take questions and converse with the audience after the screening, but will not be performing live.
Born in Enid, Ms. Mitchell graduated from Oklahoma City University before debuting with the San Francisco Opera in 1975. She became one of America’s most famous performers, winning a Grammy for Best Opera Recording in her debut year before spending 18 seasons as a leading spinto soprano for New York’s Metropolitan Opera. She has received countless honors throughout her career, including induction in the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, and Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame.
Tickets for “Celebrating Black Excellence: Leona Mitchell” are on sale now here. Tickets are also available at the box office, in person, at the theater located at 10 S. Lewis Ave, Tulsa OK 74104.