Q & A: Merola Opera Program Leadership on How Cultivating Awareness Makes Britten’s “The Rape of Lucretia” an Urgent Story Visible Today

Photo Credit: Kristen Loken Merola Opera Program presents Benjamin Britten’s “The Rape of Lucretia” on July 13th and 15th at the Herbst Theatre in San Francisco, with director Jan Essinger, conductor Judith Yan, and a creative team including intimacy coordinator Maya Herbsman. Merola will also host a special conversational forum, post-performance on Saturday, July 15th with the creative team and {…}

Jun 21, 2023

San Francisco Opera to Celebrate Pride

(Credit: Kristen Loken) San Francisco Opera is set to celebrate Pride month, honoring LGBTQ+ artists, staff, audience, and community. The celebration begins on June 22, coinciding with a performance of “El último sueño de Frida y Diego.” With the exterior of the War Memorial Opera House glowing in rainbow colors, Pride Night at the Opera will offer attendees a pairing {…}

Jun 20, 2023

San Francisco Symphony 2022-23 Review: Adriana Mater

(Credit: Credit: Brittany Hosea-Small) Kaija Saariaho died in early June 2023. Her opera, “Adriana Mater,” opened at San Francisco Symphony a few days later. The semi-staged performance seemed like a ritual itself to honor the noted Finnish composer. The story of human suffering in war was conducted by San Francisco’s Music Director, Esa-Pekka Salonen, with depth and finesse. Four singers {…}

Jun 12, 2023

San Francisco Opera 2022-23 Review: Die Frau ohne Schatten

Credit: San Francisco Opera On June 4, a Sunday afternoon, everyone was high with anticipation. David Hockney‘s production of R. Strauss’ “Die Frau ohne Schatten” was opening at San Francisco Opera. Since its American premiere in 1959, the work had only been rarely mounted in San Francisco (five times since 1959), or in other houses, in Paris or Vienna, or {…}

Jun 6, 2023

San Francisco Opera Awards Nina Stemme With Major Medal

(Credit: Neda Navaee) Soprano Nina Stemme was awarded the San Francisco Opera Medal immediately following the June 4 premiere of “Die Frau ohne Schatten.” During an on-stage ceremony, Matthew Shilvock, the General Director of San Francisco Opera, stated, “Nina, your artistry brings a transcendent quality into our world, resonating deeply within our souls. You have led us on countless heroic {…}

Jun 2, 2023

Museo Italo Americano Celebrates San Francisco Opera Centennial with ‘BRAVO’ Exhibition

The Museo Italo Americano is set to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the San Francisco Opera with a new exhibition, titled “BRAVO – Celebrating San Francisco Opera, Its Italian Roots and Legacy.” Running through October 22, 2023, the exhibition is presented in partnership with SFO and Museum of Performance + Design. Viewers will be able to explore the company’s history {…}

May 9, 2023

San Francisco Opera to Present 100th Anniversary Gala

(Credit: Lawrence Morton) San Francisco Opera has announced the program for its 100th Anniversary Concert at the War Memorial Opera House on Friday, June 16. Music Director Eun Sun Kim, former Music Director Sir Donald Runnicles, and former Principal Guest Conductor Patrick Summers will conduct the San Francisco Opera Orchestra and Chorus along with a host of star soloists in {…}

May 3, 2023

San Francisco Opera to Present ‘El último sueño de Frida y Diego’

(Credit: Karli Cadel/San Diego Opera) The San Francisco Opera is set to present the Bay Area premiere of “El último sueño de Frida y Diego” by Gabriela Lena Frank and Nilo Cruz. The opera, which is a San Francisco Opera co-commission and the Company’s first Spanish-language opera, will be presented from June 13 to 30 at the War Memorial Opera {…}

May 2, 2023

San Francisco Opera Guild & Neiman Marcus Team Up for Luncheon

The San Francisco Opera Guild and Neiman Marcus San Francisco are set to present a benefit luncheon and fashion show of the Marchesa Fall 2023 Collection on May 4, 2023. The luncheon will see a special appearance by Marchesa Co-Founder and Designer Georgina Chapman and proceeds from the event, co-chaired by Kim Dempster, Elizabeth Malkassian and Jorge Maumer, will support {…}

Apr 12, 2023

San Francisco Opera to Present Final Showcase of ‘The Opera in You’

San Francisco Opera is set to present “The Opera in You: Season Finale Showcase” on April 22, 2023. The workshop will be led by Program Facilitator Corey Rosen and will feature performances by poet laureate Tongo Eisen-Martin, mezzo-soprano Erin Neff, and pianist Cole Thomason-Redus. Additionally, throughout the session, which kicks off at 2 p.m. at the Green Room in the {…}

Apr 12, 2023

San Francisco Opera Center and Merola Opera Program Continue Schwabacher Recitals

The San Francisco Opera Center and Merola Opera Program continues Schwabacher recitals for season 39 on April 12 at San Francisco’s Dianne and Tad Taube Atrium Theater in the Veterans Building. Schwabacher’s series will feature a remarkable group of performers, including countertenor Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen, mezzo-soprano Erin Wagner, and pianists Carrie-Ann Matheson and Shawn Chang. “We will present a {…}