Photo credit: David Allen

Opera San José will join the Downtown San Jose SoFA District’s “South First Friday” event on Sept. 1 to offer a preview of its upcoming production of Gounod’s “Romeo and Juliet.”

Members of the “Romeo and Juliet” cast, including mezzo-sorpano Jessica Gonzalez-Rodriguez, tenor Keanu Aiono-Netzler, bass Eric Delagrange, and soprano Jasmine Habersham, will perform arias from the opera, followed by a shortened open rehearsal. Additionally, organist Jerry Nagano will play popular tunes for the art walkers. The night also features dances by SNJV, who staged dance scenes for the company’s “The Marriage of Figaro,” and a string quartet performance by members of the Opera San José orchestra.

The new production of “Romeo and Juliet” is directed by OSJ General Director/CEO Shawna Lucey, in her first production since taking the helm of the company. Joseph Marcheso conducts. Shakespeares’s classic is sung in French with English and Spanish supertitles. It takes place Sept. 9-24, 2023 at the California Theatre.

“As we celebrate our 40th season of bringing celebrated and new works to the San Jose community, what a great way to give art aficionados a glimpse of our work,” said Lucey in a press release. “We love bringing opera to the people and the people to the opera; I can’t wait to share our music and our enthusiasm with South First Friday participants.”

“South First Friday” events take place from 5:30 pm to 9 pm at the California Theatre.