“It’s been a tough journey navigating the waters of the last two years, but the artistic spirit in Tulsa continues to thrive, breaking barriers, supporting quality of life, bringing joy and increasing economic value and diversification throughout our communities. They fuel the creativity of our children, leaders, and community members, while economically increasing the value of our local and national entities and cultures every day.

I have discovered the purpose of the arts, specifically music and opera, is to bring people together through storytelling, encouraging new perspectives and bringing value to the world around us in exciting and innovative ways.

Tulsa Opera is proud to be doing just that in partnership with the leadership of ONEOK Field. A new tradition has taken hold of Tulsa for one night every fall, selling out the stadium, sharing stories and entertaining Green Country’s operagoers, families, and children. Play Ball at the Opera has significant power to contribute to the already overwhelmingly positive impact of the arts in Tulsa, so we thank you for being here with your friends and family, and we hope you’ll join us as we continue our 74th season.”

“Opera is a team sport, and, like baseball, it can move vast stadiums of people to thrilling emotional heights. For almost a century, opera and baseball fans alike have attended concerts at the ballpark.

Puccini’s comic masterpiece, Gianni Schicchi, saw its world premiere at the Metropolitan Opera in December of 1918, and will now be performed tonight for the first time in Tulsa Opera’s 74-year history.

Gianni Schicchi is a trenchant example of the triumph of the human spirit over adversity. Composed during the 1918 Influenza Pandemic, whose deadliness took the life of Puccini’s own sister, Gianni Schicchi gives us much needed comic relief during the current pandemic which has taken the lives of 5 million people worldwide.”