Business Spotlight: Opera San Luis Obispo

What began as a small project is now becoming first opera company to produce a Disney musical at grand scale

In 1985, Opera San Luis Obispo (OSLO) began as a fun project started by soprano Dr. Jill Anderson and her friends to provide an outlet for performing opera music. Leading the company until 2008, Anderson, now the co-artistic director of Canzona Women’s Chorus, and her friends started with informal recitals at Linneas’ Cafe in SLO, developing more than 35 operas in 23 years.

Upon Anderson’s retirement, Robert Ashens stepped in as artistic director until 2011, when Dr. Brian Asher Alhadeff took over as general and artistic director, where he manages day-to-day activities, serving as the music director and principal conductor of all content.

Alhadeff’s favorite part of OSLO are the grand productions.

“In my own mind, I’ve got the best job on the planet,” he says. “It’s been nothing less than heaven growing Opera San Luis Obispo into one of only four ‘grand opera producing companies’ in the state of California.”

Annually, three major events are produced by OSLO: a May “Mother’s Day Weekend” grand production of a classical musical, an October grand production of an opera, and in December the OperaSLO Grand Orchestra has a “Nutcracker Tour” accompanying the productions of Ventura County Ballet at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center, Civic Ballet San Luis Obispo at Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo, and State Street Ballet at Santa Barbara’s Granada Theater. They also have a mobile “Best of Broadway and Opera” show that tours with a 17-piece orchestra and up to 10 singers throughout the county. Every other year, they also produce a New Year’s Eve Gala at Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo.

OSLO is the largest employer of orchestral musicians and singers in SLO County. It is also the county’s largest provider of educational outreach — partnering year-round with the San Luis Obispo County Office of Education in providing educational outreach videos and performances, including “Peter and the Wolf.” The outreach programs are possible in part with their “Mobile Opera House” — one of only four in the country – which has a 16×12 foot stage that unfolds from their 26-foot box truck, bringing educational programs to underserved schools throughout the county.

OSLO operates a large set building, storage shop, and a costume shop, allowing them to trade and work with other local nonprofits throughout the season.

“OSLO just made history as the first opera company to produce a Disney musical at grand scale!!” Alhadeff exclaimed. Last May, their production of “Beauty and the Beast” sold out two shows and became their best-selling show in the company’s 39 years.

On Oct. 19 and 20, they will be producing “the most famous opera of all time” — “Carmen” by Georges Bizet at PACSLO. Tickets are on sale now at operaslo.org and pacslo.org or by calling (805) 756-4849.