Opera San José Names Seven Artists-in-Residence for 2023-24 Season

Opera San José has unveiled its 2023-24 Artists-in-Residence. The resident company, which includes Melisa Bonetti (Mezzo-soprano), Michelle Ainna Cuizon (Director), Vartan Gabrielian (Bass-baritone), Johannes Löhner (Conductor), Courtney Miller (Mezzo-soprano), Joshua Sanders (Tenor), and Melissa Sondhi (Soprano), will be introduced in a virtual showcase scheduled for August 13, 2023. Of these artists, the company spotlighted Sondhi as the inaugural Artist-in-Residence for the Wadhwani Chair for South Asia Artists; this new initiative focuses on “incubating the incredible {…}

Jul 11, 2023

Opera San José to Stream ‘Cinderella’

(Photo Credit: David Allen) Opera San José’s staging of Alma Deutscher’s “Cinderella” is set to stream for free beginning July 22, 2023. The production, which was filmed at the California Theatre in San Jose last fall, featured the operatic conducting debut of prodigy composer/musician Deutscher. The cast featured Natalia Santaliz as Cinderella, Joey Hammod-Leppek as The Prince, Ben Brady as {…}

May 2, 2023

Opera San José & ArtSmart Partner to Hold Fundraiser Featuring Michael Fabiano and Maria Natale

Opera San José (OSJ) and ArtSmart have partnered to provide free voice lessons, musical opportunities, and mentorship for low-income middle and high school students. To celebrate this new collaboration, OSJ and ArtSmart invite Bay Area music lovers to their “Arts for All” fundraising initiative on May 6, 2023, to be hosted at Angelicas in Redwood City’s historic downtown district. The {…}

Apr 1, 2023

Opera San Jose and ArtSmart Partner to Provide Music Opportunities for Local Students

Opera San Jose and ArtSmart have announced a new partnership to provide free music lessons and opportunities to students in San Jose. To mark this new initiative, OSJ and ArtSmart will invite Bay Area patrons to their “Arts for All” fundraiser on May 6, 2023, where they can see how an opera comes to life. Patrons can enjoy hors d‘oeuvres {…}

Mar 2, 2023

Melissa Sondhi, Efraín Solís & Joshua Sanders Lead Opera San José’s 2023-24 season

Opera San José has announced its 2023-24 season celebrating the company’s 40th anniversary. The season opens with an all-new production of Gounod’s “Romeo and Juliet,” directed by Shawna Lucey. The production will star Indian-American soprano Melissa Sondhi in the role of Juliet and tenor Joshua Sanders as Romeo. Alex Boyer returns to the California Theatre in the role of Tybalt, {…}

Feb 17, 2023

Rising to the Top: Chanáe Curtis & Darren Drone on Performing ‘Falstaff’ at Opera San Jose

To talk with the rising stars of Opera San Jose’s upcoming production of “Falstaff” was more than a treat: it was a privilege. The perspectives of soprano Chanáe Curtis and baritone Darren Drone promise rich and vibrant contributions to their future musical careers. Each of the young singers showed a genuine commitment to opera and their contributions to it. In {…}

Jan 27, 2023

Opera San José to Present ‘Tosca’ with Maria Natale

Opera San José (OSJ) is set to conclude its 2022-23 season with a production of Puccini’s “Tosca.” The production will be led by OSJ Music Director Joseph Marcheso and OSJ’s Resident Director Tara Branham will make her California Theatre debut. Maria Natale will sing the title role of Tosca. The soprano has appeared with such companies as Tulsa Opera, Opera {…}

Nov 13, 2022

Opera San José to Present ‘Falstaff’

Opera San José is set to present a production of Verdi’s “Falstaff” between Feb. 11 and 26, 2022 at the California Theatre. The work, which is adapted from Shakespeare’s “The Merry Wives of Windsor” will be staged José Maria Condemi. Meanwhile, Joseph Marcheso will conduct a cast that includes Darren Drone as Falstaff, Natalia Santaliz as Nanetta, Megan Esther Grey {…}

Oct 20, 2022

Opera San José to Revive Alma Deutscher’s ‘Cinderella’

Opera San José is set to present Alma Deutscher’s “Cinderella,” from November 12-27, 2022. The company will present the work in association with the Packard Humanities Institute and will showcase Deutscher in her international operatic conducting debut. The landmark work is based on the classic fairytale and will be revived after an acclaimed 2017 production at the California Theatre. The production {…}

Aug 12, 2022

Opera San José to Revive ‘Cinderella’

Opera San José is set to present the international operatic conducting debut of prodigy composer/musician Alma Deutscher. Deutscher will will take the podium for a production of her landmark opera, “Cinderella,” based on the classic fairytale. The company will revive the 2017 production which sold out the California Theatre and marked the American premiere of the opera. Director Brad Dalton {…}

Jul 26, 2022

Opera San José to Open with ‘The Marriage Figaro’

Opera San José is set to open its 2022–23 season with an all-new production of Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro.” The new production will be transported to colonial India during Victorian Imperial rule and will focus on sexual politics and class resentments through the prism of shifting power and revolution, culminating in a sparkling Indian wedding that will bring the {…}