Festival Opera has announced its plans for the company’s 2023 season.

Festival Opera General Director Zachary Gordin, said “It is with great pride that Festival Opera celebrates its 32nd anniversary season with a refreshed, contemporary interpretation of Bizet’s iconic opera, ‘Carmen.’ I’m especially pleased to present a cast of rising, highly talented opera stars in such a collaborative stage production that will surely resonate with Bay Area audiences. And what better way to begin our season than with a pair of Opera in the Park concerts, reaffirming Festival Opera’s commitment to enriching the lives of our community with programming of exceptional music from Grand Opera to Broadway and beyond. I look forward to welcoming you to Festival Opera’s season.”

The season’s highlight will be a new production of Georges Bizet’s “Carmen” at the Lesher Center for the Arts. Mezzo-soprano Taylor Raven sings the title role alongside soprano Hope Briggs (Micaëla) and tenor Dane Suarez (Don José), and baritone, Young Kwang Yoo* (Escamillo).

On the podium leading the Festival Opera Orchestra will be San Francisco Opera veteran Robert Mollicone alongside a creative team including stage director and choreographer Michael Mohammed.

Performance Dates: August 18 and 20, 2023

There will be two popular and beloved Opera in the Park concerts. An ensemble of Festival Opera singers accompanied by pianist Chun Mei Wilson will perform popular music from the worlds of opera, Broadway and the Great American Songbook.

Performance Dates: June 22 at the verdant Orinda Community Park and August 6 at Walnut Creek’s Civic Park