San Diego Opera has announced the launch of the inaugural Forbes Prize, a new competition for emerging opera singers that will recognize two exceptional artists with cash prizes. The competition will also give the oppoturnity to young singers to perform a mainstage role in a future San Diego Opera season. The prize is intended to be awarded annually to early-career {…}
The San Diego Opera has announced a cast change for its production of “Rigoletto.” The company said that Craig Colclough has had to withdraw from the role of Monterone as he is going to be a part of “Lincoln in the Bardo” at the Metropolitan Opera. As a result, Joel Balzun will be stepping in to perform the role of Monterone. Balzun {…}
The San Diego Opera is set to present Verdi’s “Rigoletto” from Oct. 23 to 25, 2026 at the San Diego Civic Theatre. The production will be performed on Robert Dahlstrom’s, last showcased in San Diego Opera’s 2019 production. Acclaimed baritone Michael Chioldi will take on the title role after performing the role to great acclaim at the Irish National Opera, {…}
The San Diego Opera is set to present Gregory Spears and Greg Pierce’s “Fellow Travelers” on July 10–12, 2026. The opera which explores the intersection of love, politics and identity set against the backdrop of a forgotten chapter of LGBTQ+ history known as the “Lavender Scare,” will be presented in Kevin Newbury’s production. In a statement, David Bennett, the Joann {…}
The San Diego Opera has announced its 2026–27 season. The season begins with the previously announced Southern California premiere of “Fellow Travelers,” by Gregory Spears and Greg Pierce. The cast will include Andy Acosta, Joseph Lattanzi, Amber R. Monroe, and Vanessa Becerra. Kevin Newbury directs and Bruce Stasyna conducts. Performance Dates: July 10–12, 2026 The season will continue with Verdi’s {…}
San Diego Opera is sett o present Bizet’s “Carmen” at the San Diego Civic Theater. The production, which will be performed on March 27 – 29, 2026, will star mezzo-soprano Melody Wilson in her role debut as Carmen alternating with mezzo-soprano Guadalupe Paz singing the title role. They will star alongside tenors Thomas Kinch and Jonny Kaufman as Don José, {…}
The San Diego Opera is set to perform Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville” at the San Diego Civic Theatre. The production, which is set to be performed on Feb. 13, 14 & 15, 2026 will star Dean Murphy as Figaro in his house debut, Stephanie Doche as Rosina, Minghao Liu as Count Almaviva, Patrick Carfizzi as Doctor Bartolo, Craig Colclough {…}
San Diego Opera has received a $4.5 million commitment from philanthropist Irwin Jacobs to support the company’s collaboration with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra. The gift, which will be donated over three years through the newly established Joan and Irwin Jacobs San Diego Symphony and San Diego Opera Collaboration Fund, will aim to strengthen a decades-long partnership between the two {…}
San Diego Opera and La Jolla Music Society announce the co-production of Damien Geter’s song cycle, “Cotton.” Mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges, baritone Justin Austin, and pianist Laura Ward perform. “Cotton” features the photography of John Dowell with newly commissioned poetry set to music by composer Damien Geter. “I am so thrilled to partner with La Jolla Music Society on Cotton, an {…}
The San Diego Opera is set to present Leoncavallo’s “Pagliacci.” The production will be presented on Nov. 1 and 2, 2025 at the San Diego Civic Theatre with Yves Abel conducting. Christopher Mattaliano will direct the production with a cast that includes Jonathan Burton, Hailey Clark, Kidon Choi, Timothy Murray, and Arnold Livingston Geis. In a statement, David Bennett, the {…}
The San Diego Opera is set to open its 2025-26 season with Ruggero Leoncavallo’s “Pagliacci.” The opera is set to be performed on Oct. 31 through Nov. 2 at the San Diego Civic Theatre. In a statement, David Bennett, the Joann Clark General Director and CEO of San Diego Opera, said he chose the “gritty verismo melodrama” this season as {…}