San Diego Opera has received a $4.5 million commitment from philanthropist Irwin Jacobs to support the company’s collaboration with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra.

The gift, which will be donated over three years through the newly established Joan and Irwin Jacobs San Diego Symphony and San Diego Opera Collaboration Fund, will aim to strengthen a decades-long partnership between the two organizations as they present opera in San Diego.

“Dr. Jacobs’ extraordinary generosity reflects his ongoing deep belief in the power of the performing arts and importance of partnerships that enrich our community,” said David Bennett, Joann Clark General Director and CEO of San Diego Opera, per an official press release. “The gift not only furthers our artistic visions, but advances a model of collaboration that is essential to the future of the arts in San Diego.”

“Both San Diego Opera and the San Diego Symphony were very important to my late wife Joan, and I am delighted to be able to carry on her philanthropic vision with a gift to the Opera to benefit these two remarkable cultural institutions. The performing arts are vital to making San Diego a great place to live, and the outstanding collaboration between the Opera and the Symphony make both organizations stronger and better,” added Jacobs.

San Diego Opera is in the midst of its 2025–2026 season and is set to present “The Barber of Seville” this February, followed by “Carmen” in March. Both of these productions feature the San Diego Symphony Orchestra.

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