Opera San José has partnered with Cloud4Wi to introduce a new interactive audience experience, using enterprise WiFi-based technology to engage patrons in real time. The project aims to expand the traditional performance model by allowing audiences to influence the outcome of a live production. The initiative debuted during the company’s run of Mozart’s “Così fan tutte,” allowing patrons to vote {…}
In childhood soprano Emily Michiko Jensen performed as a “super” for San Diego Opera’s production of “Madama Butterfly,” along with her sister. Now, she will star as Cio-Cio San in Opera San José’s “Madama Butterfly”, which opens on Nov. 16 and runs through the 30th. Jensen, a Japanese-American San Diego native who draws from her rich heritage as a woman {…}
Opera San José is set to present Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly.” The opera will be directed by Michelle Ainna Cuizon and conducted by Joseph Marcheso and will be presented at the California Theatre. The cast will feature Opera San José Artist-in-Residence Emily Michiko Jensen in the title role of Cio-Cio-San, mezzo-soprano Kayla Nanto as Suzuki, Courtney Miller as Kate Pinkerton, tenor {…}
Opera San José has named its 2025-26 Artists-in-Residence. The artists include Joanne Evans (mezzo-soprano), Emily Michiko Jensen (soprano), Nicole Koh (soprano), Noah Lindquist (conductor), Courtney Miller (mezzo-soprano), Benjamin Ruiz (tenor), and MarkAnthony Vallejo (director). They will be a part of the company’s four mainstage productions, community engagements, and will also receive personalized mentorship, free housing during their residencies. “This remarkable {…}
(Credit: Bob Shomler) Opera San José is set to open its 42nd season with Mozart’s “Così Fan Tutte.” The opera will be directed by Alek Shrader in his OSJ directorial debut, with Music Director and Principal Conductor Joseph Marcheso leading Mozart’s score. The ensemble cast will feature Ricardo José Rivera as Guglielmo, Ricardo Garcia and Benjamin Ruiz alternating as Ferrando, Dale {…}
Opera San José has announced that it will showcase a workshop of a new opera by composer Stefan Cwik and librettist Anthony Asaro. The workshop is set for Saturday, Oct. 11 at the Heiman Rehearsal Hall. The opera in question, “Solaris,” is based on the famed science fiction novel by Stanislaw Lem that was the basis for Andrei Tarkovsky and {…}
Last week, President Donald J. Trump threatened to shut down the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for good by gutting its funding under the new budget proposal. In response, and not for the first time, the NEA opted for fighting another day by submitting to new requirements under Trump to remain a viable institution in the land. However, in {…}
Opera San José has announced that it has lost its grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). The NEA announced on Friday, May 2, that it was updating its grantmaking policy priorities to focus funding on projects “that reflect the nation’s rich artistic heritage and creativity” as prioritized by President Donald Trump. As such, Opera San José will {…}
Opera San José’s CEO / General Director, Shawna Lucey has been named a 2025 “Woman of Influence” by Silicon Valley Business Journal. She will be honored at an awards ceremony on June 26, 2025 at the Santa Clara Marriott. “I am so honored and thrilled to be recognized as part of this group of incredible women making a difference in {…}
Opera San José has unveiled its 2025-26 season. First up is “Così fan tutte” starring Ricardo José Rivera as Guglielmo and Dale Travis as Don Alfonso. Alek Shrader directs and Joseph Marcheso conducts. Performance Dates: Sept. 14-28, 2025 Next up, Emily Jensen stars in “Madama Butterfly” alongside César Delgado as Pinkerton. Michelle Ainna Cuizon directs and Marcheso conducts. Performance Dates: Nov. 16-30, {…}
Opera San José is in the midst of a special community series in anticipation of its production of “Zorro” this month. Starting on March 28, the company initiated a series of community concerts in libraries around San José. The performances feature excerpts from “Zorro” as well as storybook readings. The first two events on March 28 were at East San {…}