Sunday March 8, 2026 – 11:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
The Opera Brunch and the “opera” Oklahoma began with a Western-theme barbecue brunch prepared by the catering company, A Spice of Life. The brunch was followed by a talk on Oklahoma! by Maestro Nicholas Carthy, who directed the performance immediately after his talk. The brunch and Maestro Carthy’s talk took place in the British and Irish Studies Room on the 5th floor of Norlin Library, a very short walk to Macky Auditorium where we were treated to the celebrated Rogers and Hammerstein musical, Oklahoma!
Students of the CU Boulder College of Music and the CU Boulder Eklund Opera Program together performed Oklahoma! Great repertoire, beautiful scenery, amazing voices and outstanding value—these are the hallmarks of the CU Boulder College of Music Ekland Opera Program.
Sandy Johnson, Opera Brunch Chair
To whet your appetite, here is a brief summary of the musical, Oklahoma!:
Music by Richard Rogers Books and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
Based on the play “Green Grow the Lilacs” by Lynn Riggs
Original choreography by Agnes de Mille
In a Western territory just after the turn of the 20th century, a high-spirited rivalry between local farmers and cowboys provides a colorful background for Curly, a charming cowboy, and Laurey, a feisty farm girl, to play out their love story. Their romantic journey, as bumpy as a surrey ride down a country road, contrasts with the comic exploits of brazen Ado Annie and hapless Will Parker in a musical adventure embracing hope, determination, and the promise of a new land. Rodgers and Hammerstein’s exuberant classic features iconic songs including “Oklahoma!,” “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’,” “The Surrey with the Fringe on Top” and “People Will Say We’re in Love.”
Click on a picture to see the full version.