Richard Wagner fell in love with the story of Lohengrin. How could he not? A handsome knight, with a golden disposition of purity, nobility and generosity. The son of Parsifal. The leader of the Grail. Destined to rescue, save and uplift all who needed rescuing and salvation. With soaring and beauteous romantic melodies, rich choral support, dazzling duets between glorious {…}
(Photo credit: Adrien Coquet) Dr. Caitlin Vincent (University of Melbourne) and Dr. Amanda Coles (Deakin University) have published their findings on the gender inequality and the impacts of non-standard work in the US opera industry. The team tracked women’s representation as conductors, directors, and designers at the 11 largest opera companies in the United States – the Metropolitan Opera, Santa Fe {…}
Steve Jobs forever changed the world of communications. The opera, “The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs,” composed by Mason Bates with libretto by Mark Campbell, opened at the San Francisco War Memorial Opera House and brought the story of how Jobs gave birth to the computer with panache. Although the opera’s premiere occurred in Santa Fe in 2017, and was the {…}
Verdi’s “Il Trovatore” conjures up fire from the outset like firelight. It burns and blazes with passion. It smolders. The more Verdi wrote, the more his imagination leapt into flames. One magnificent, powerful and engaging aria, duet, trio, quartet and chorus, emerging after the other. Dazzling. And what a story – an Italian troubadour with love affairs and babies tossed {…}
The week the San Francisco Opera will showcase “The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs” for the first time in the company’s history. The production will feature a cast that includes Joseph Lattanzi, a baritone making his debut with the San Francisco Opera in the role Paul Jobs for the very first time. Over the past years, Lattanzi has been on the {…}
The San Francisco Opera, in collaboration with the San Francisco Chronicle, will present “Opera in the Park” at Robin Williams Meadow in Golden Gate Park on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023. The free annual event will be led by Music Director Eun Sun Kim, who leads the San Francisco Opera Orchestra and such artists as Julie Adams, Aleksandra Kurzak, Olivia Smith, {…}
The San Francisco Opera will inaugurate its 2023-24 season with a gala on Sept. 8, 2023. The gala will also include an Opera Ball that will include a reception, dinner, and an after-party in San Francisco’s City Hall. Caroline H. Hume Music Director Eun Sun Kim and the San Francisco Opera Orchestra and Chorus will lead soloists Roberto Alagna and {…}
Photo credit: Greg Habiby San Francisco Opera announces Georgi Kelly as its new Chief Philanthropy Officer. Starting on Oct. 2, Kelly will work closely with General Director Matthew Shilvock and San Francisco Opera’s Board of Directors. Together they will development and implement the fundraising goals and strategies for San Francisco Opera’s second century. Kelly will be the senior leader dedicated {…}
The San Francisco Opera has announced a cast change for its production of Verdi’s “Il Trovatore.” The company said that mezzo-soprano Ekaterina Semenchuk will perform the role of Azucena in all performances, replacing Anita Rachvelishvili who has withdrawn for personal reasons. Semenchuk returns to San Francisco following performances with the company in productions of “ Luisa Miller” “Aida,” and “Cavalleria Rusticana.” Semenchuk joins {…}
San Francisco Opera has announced the winner of its Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Emerging Stars Competition for 2023. The organization revealed that Chilean soprano Yaritza Véliz took home the honor for her portrayal of Cartina in “El Último Sueño de Frida y Diego,” the company’s first Spanish-language opera commission. She received the award via popular vote online between July {…}
(Credit: Martin Cohen) The San Francisco Orchestra has named Evan Kahn the Principal Cellist. Kahn will be the first new principal cellist in nearly five decades. In a statement Kahn said, “SF Opera is one of the best companies in the world with a whole lot of legacy, coming off its 100th anniversary season. I’m so, so excited to be {…}