The opera season is starting up again with two major companies getting productions underway. One of those companies has two operatic gems in store, making for what should be an exciting weekend on the West Coast.

Cavalleria Rusticana & Pagliacci – San Francisco Opera

The San Francisco Opera opens its season on Friday with a production of the famed double bill as directed by José Cura. Roberto Aronica, Ekaterina Semenchuk, Dimitri Platanias, and Laura Krumm star in “Cavalleria Rusticana,” while Marco Berti, Platanias, and Lianna Haroutounian head the cast of “Pagliacci.” Daniele Caligari conducts.

Roberto Devereux – San Francisco Opera

After opening the season with the verismo double bill, the company steps back a few decades for Donizetti’s dramatic masterwork “Roberto Devereux,” which stars Sondra Radvanovsky in a role that she dominated at the Metropolitan Opera a few seasons back. She is joined by Russell Thomas and Jamie Barton, as well as Andrew G. Manea in one of the most exciting casts of the entire season. Riccardo Frizza conducts. The first performance of the run is on Saturday night.

3 Decembers – Saint Louis Opera Collective

The Jake Heggie opera gets a showcase on Friday and Saturday with a cast that includes Stephanie Ruggies, Emily Truckenbrod, and Aleksandar Dragojevic. Kurtis Shoemake directs the production which also features pianist Curtis Moeller. The production takes place at the Kranzberg Arts Center-Studio Theater.