When Tulsa became the “oil capital of the world,” a booming expansion occurred that inspired many forms of art to entertain its new population. Tulsa Opera was here from the beginning, pre-existing the oil boom, as a necessary art form, even before the roads were paved!
Between 1904 and 1930, both touring groups and local talent presented a variety of operas to culture-hungry Tulsa audiences. In the early stages of the Great Depression, University of Tulsa Dean of Music Albert Lukken was determined to continue the tradition. After a highly successful 1933 presentation of Aïda at Skelly Stadium for a crowd of approximately 6,000 people, Lukken knew there was an audience ready for more. Lukken delegated this program to Tulsa piano teacher and accompanist Bess Gowans; successful opera singers Ralph and Ione Sassano; Mary Helen Markham, a professional opera singer at the San Francisco Opera who was home to visit her mother; and local opera singer and influential community member Beryl Bliss. In 1948, this coalition of professional musicians and community members established The Tulsa Opera Club. The Club premiered its first opera on December 4th, 1948, Giuseppi Verdi’s La Traviata, at the Central High School auditorium. The cast provided their own formal clothing as costumes and the set was furnished by the Mayo Hotel. The Sassanos starred opposite each other in that very first La Traviata and went on to lead the Tulsa Opera Club for many years. The show also featured William Lewis, an alumni of Will Rogers High School, who continued to a significant career at the Metropolitan Opera and abroad.
FUN FACT: William Lewis (pictured above as Gaston) is a Tulsa native and alum of Will Rogers High School. He went on to enjoy a wildly successful opera career at the Metropolitan Opera and worldwide. He debuted at the MET as Narraboth in Salome on March 1, 1958, and subsequently sang in 234 performances in his 35 years with the company.
In 1953 the Tulsa Opera Club transitioned from a community opera troupe to a professional organization, Tulsa Opera Inc, quickly becoming a leading company in the nation. Tulsa Opera continues the legacy of great opera with a brilliant new season featuring a sensational slate of artists and shows that will excite any music lover. From our season opener Grand Voices, featuring our powerful chorus and orchestra, to the end of our season featuring international opera star, Renée Fleming’s inspirational Voice of Nature concert – we invite YOU to come on this journey with us.
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