The San Francisco Opera Guild will honor the San Francisco Opera General Director Matthew Shilvock for his leadership and vision at its “An Evening on the Stage” gala dinner.

On Nov. 17 at the War Memorial Opera House, Shilvock will receive The Crescendo Award. This award is given to individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary support to the Guild and San Francisco Opera. In Aug. 2016, Shilvock became the Company’s seventh general director. Recently, his contract extended for a third term through the 2030–31 season. Throughout his time at San Francisco Opera, the Company has seen the appointment of Caroline H. Hume Music Director Eun Sun Kim, and celebrated its Centennial Season in 2022-23.

“An Evening on the Stage” includes a cocktail reception, dinner, musical performances, and dancing on the Opera House stage. Musical guests include mezzo-soprano Daniela Mack with bandoneón player Juan Pablo Jofre, pianist Ronny Michael Greenberg and members of the San Francisco Opera Orchestra. The San Francisco Opera Guild Opera Scouts will also sing for the attendees. Event stylist and frequent Opera Ball designer J. Riccardo Benavides creates the décor for the evening, and Vybe Society Entertainment will be the band for the dance floor. The event is co-chaired by Courtney Labe and Jennifer Bienaimé,

Co-Chair Labe said in a press release, “It is a true honor to co-chair San Francisco Opera Guild’s signature event, An Evening on the Stage. This special evening directly supports the Guild’s award-winning music education programs, which inspire young students through the transformative power of the performing arts, building lifelong skills, including confidence, creativity and leadership.”

Previous “An Evening on the Stage” honorees include Charlotte Mailliard Shultz, Diane B. Wilsey, Gordon Getty, Franklin P. (“Pitch”) Johnson, Jr., Dianne and Tad Taube, Cynthia and John Gunn, Carol and Dixon Doll, The Littlefield Family, Frederica von Stade, Jake Heggie, Karen J. Kubin, Mary and Bill Poland, Nancy and Paul Pelosi, and Maria Manetti Shrem.

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