Merola Opera Program Raises $380,000 at 2026 Benefit Gala
By David Salazar(Photo credit: Jessica Monroy for Drew Altizer Photography)
The Merola Opera Program raised over $380,000 at its 2026 Benefit Gala, “La Bella Voce: A Night of Merola,” on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at the City Club of San Francisco.
The evening honored Bernice Lindstrom with the Exemplary Service Award, recognizing her long-standing support of artist sponsorships and her profound impact on emerging opera artists. The tribute was delivered by Grammy Award-winning composer Jake Heggie, followed by a presentation from Merola Board President Dr. James Cross, Board Chair Barbara Bruser Clark, and Director of Membership & Engagement Alek Shrader.
Performances during the gala dinner featured current San Francisco Opera Adler Fellows and Merola alumni. Soprano Sofia Gotch performed “O mio babbino caro,” while mezzo-soprano Sadie Cheslak joined her for a set of compositions by Heggie. The evening closed with an ensemble performance of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” from “Carousel,” featuring Cheslak, Brian Cho, Alexa Frankian, Gotch, Mary Hoskins, Ji Youn Lee, and Gabriel Natal-Báez.
The money raised during the gala will support the Merola Opera Program. Among the funds raised was an appeal by Markus Beam following the dinner that generated $140,000 in donations. The gala was chaired by Robert Beadle, with Diane B. Wilsey serving as the exclusive Magnum Opus Sponsor.
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