Don Bobbs | Opera SB Volunteer

Opera Santa Barbara is celebrating 25 years! Over the course of the 2018/19 season, we will be profiling musicians, artists, board members, volunteers and staff both past and current who have brought a quarter-century of thrilling opera to Santa Barbara.

We continue the series with long-time volunteer and familiar face, Don Bobbs. Opera SB is grateful to all of our volunteers for their hard work and dedication to opera in Santa Barbara. 

I Am #OperaSB 

Don Bobbs I AM OperaSBName: Don Bobbs

Role: OSB Volunteer

How long have you been volunteering with OSB?
More than 14 years.

How did you first get involved with the opera?
I began volunteering with OSB before I had permanently settled in Santa Barbara, so I sometimes commuted all the way from Portland, Oregon for some of the events.

What do you love about opera and what keeps bringing you back each season?
Opera so effectively expresses deep emotions through music.

Memorable moment with OSB:
About 10 years ago at a performance of “Carmen” at the Granada, I greeted guests at the front door, dressed as a toreador!

Favorite opera and why?
My very favorite opera is Humperdinck’s “Hansel and Gretel.”  I love its innocence, its lovely melodies, and, especially, its lush Wagnerian-style orchestrations. I love anything by Puccini–so expressive! — as well as all of the comic operas by Gilbert and Sullivan.

Describe how you feel about OSB.
OSB is filled with wonderfully kind and helpful people–the creative and administrative staff as well as my fellow volunteers. I love learning from the artists and sharing ideas with fellow opera aficionados.