Monday, September 4, 2023

The Scintillating San Francisco Opera Fall 2023 Season Opens September 8 with a Gala Performance and the Opera Ball

I am looking forward to immersion in grand-scope classical operas by Wagner and Verdi, along with new compositions, bold lyricists, new concepts, the great San Francisco Opera orchestra, and always the thrill of exquisite voices. I have such admiration for the bravery, expression, discipline, technique, artistry and engagement of all artists on the opera stage.


It’s the beginning of an exciting second century for San Francisco Opera. The Fall Season lists dynamic new works, a reverential return of two classics, and a galaxy of international artists. We will enjoy exacting collaborations, elegant costumes, dramatic stage designs, and inspirational music. And these magnificent productions under the baton of Music Director Eun Sun Kim.


Verdi's "Il Trovatore"

Photo courtesy of San Francisco Opera


Omar

Photo: Cory Weaver

The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs

Photo: Ken Howard

Lohengrin

Photo: Clive Barda


The Fall 2023 Season

New works co-commissioned by San Francisco Opera punctuate the Company’s 101st season


First, The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs by Bay Area composer Mason Bates and Pulitzer Prize-winning librettist Mark Campbell takes the stage in September with baritone John Moore as eponymous iconoclastic Steve Jobs, whose ideas helped continue to reshape our world.

Second, Omar, the first opera by Grammy Award-winning artist Rhiannon Giddens in collaboration with composer Michael Abels, brings an iconic American story to the Opera House in November. 


Verdi's "Il Trovatore"

Photo courtesy of San Francisco Opera




The first opera of San Francisco Opera’s 101st season is one of the all-time classics of the art form: Giuseppe Verdi’s Il Trovatore.

Performances begin Tuesday, September 12 at the War Memorial Opera House. Eun Sun Kim leads the San Francisco Opera Orchestra with the Opera Chorus, under the direction of chorus director John Keene.

The Il Trovatore international cast is headed by soprano Angel Blue, tenor Arturo Chacón-Cruz, mezzo-soprano Ekaterina Semenchuk and baritone George Petean in the acclaimed staging by Sir David McVicar, directed by Roy Rallo.

A popular favorite in San Francisco since the days of the Gold Rush, Il Trovatore follows the ill-fated love triangle of the titular troubadour, Manrico, the noblewoman, Leonora, and the Count di Luna.

Like few other works in the repertoire, Verdi’s melodic invention propels the opera’s fast-moving story across four acts with relentless energy and building momentum. The opera’s dramatic situations and hit tunes include the famous Anvil Chorus.



The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs

Photo: Ken Howard


Highlights of the Season

The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs by Bay Area composer Mason Bates is a San Francisco Opera co-commission, and it is making its Bay Area premiere.

Omar by Rhiannon Giddens and Michael Abels recently won the Pulitzer Prize for Music and it is a San Francisco Opera co-commission, also new to Bay Area audiences this November.

Eun Sun Kim’s artistic initiative to conduct a work by Wagner and a work by Verdi each season continues with Lohengrin in October. Wagner’s profound classic opera has dramatic sets, Wagnerian mythological foundations, and traditions and forms that opera fans appreciate and admire.


Omar

Photo: Cory Weaver


Opera Philanthropy at Its Best: Thank you, Dagmar Dolby and Family

The Dolby Family’s Opera for the Bay discounted tickets program continues throughout the 2023–24 Season with $10 tickets for Bay Area residents who are new to the opera.

Those with a home address zip code between 94000-95999 who have not purchased tickets in the past three years are eligible.

Opera for the Bay tickets go on sale one month prior to the opening of each production/concert and are limited to 2 seats per patron. Inventory is limited and may sell out quickly. Visit sfopera.com/dolby for more information.



San Francisco Opera Music Director Eun Sun Kim

Photo: Cody Pickens

Bravo to Eun!

Music Director Eun Sun Kim’s multi-season Initiative to perform works by opera greats Giuseppe Verdi and Richard Wagner every season begins with Il Trovatore. 




San Francisco Opera General Director Matthew Shilvock

Photo: Kristen Loken


Bravo to Matthew Shilvock!

Congratulations to general director Matthew Shilvock for guiding and inspiring San Francisco Opera as we head into the second century of music, grand ideas, creativity, originality, daring, and balanced with a reverence for past achievements and thoughtful innovation.

“I cannot wait for Eun Sun’s first Wagner opera in the house as she continues to bring awe-inspiring interpretations to our theater,” said Shilvock. “ I am so proud that we are telling so many new stories this season, and I’m excited to continue our innovation explorations as we chart a course for the future of opera. The Bay Area Community is discovering opera in fabulous new ways, and we look forward to welcoming many new audience members to immerse themselves in artwork that connects us, bridges differences and speaks to the soul.”


I Love the San Francisco War Memorial Opera House


San Francisco War Memorial Opera House exterior

Photo: Joel Puliatti


San Francisco War Memorial Opera House interior

Photo: David Wakely


San Francisco War Memorial Opera House interior

Photo: Steven Bullock


San Francisco War Memorial Opera House interior

Photo: David Wakely



Special Event

Il Trovatore Talkback with Eun Sun Kim
Sunday, September 17, 2023
War Memorial Opera House

Following the Sunday, September 17 matinee of Verdi’s Il Trovatore, San Francisco Opera Music Director Eun Sun Kim will participate in a post-performance talkback. Ticketholders are invited to gather after the performance for a live Q&A with the conductor. It's a great opportunity to learn about Verdi, Il Trovatore and conducting from one of opera’s artistic leaders.


Livestreaming

The opening night concert and third performance of every opera production will be livestreamed. For more information visit sfopera.com/digital/livestream.


I Love and Support San Francisco Opera

Gifts and donations help create San Francisco Opera’s programs and are much appreciated. To donate visit sfopera.com/donate.


Lohengrin

Photo: Clive Barda



FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TICKETS:

www.sfopera.com

Opening Night Gala Ball
For tickets to this glamorous benefit, go to www.sfopera.com/operaball


"Opera Ball," presented by San Francisco Opera and San Francisco Opera Guild.

Photo: Drew Altizer












Thursday, June 15, 2023

Celebrating the Beauty and Creativity of San Francisco Opera and Three Brilliant New Productions

Congratulations to brilliant San Francisco Opera for a glorious Summer Season 2023.

I’m looking forward to attending three very exciting opera productions. The special season opens this week at the San Francisco War Memorial Opera House. On June 16, San Francisco Opera’s Centennial will be marked with music and joy and artistry at the 100th Anniversary Concert.

Bravo, San Francisco Opera and the entire company for a season of depth, innovation, beauty, and surprises. I look forward to classic opera pleasures and new delights.



A scene from Puccini's “Madame Butterfly.” Photo: Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera




San Francisco Opera’s 2023 Summer Season opens June 3 with Giacomo Puccini’s Madame Butterfly (Madama Butterfly).

Music Director Eun Sun Kim leads the San Francisco Opera Orchestra in a new production by visionary Japanese director Amon Miyamoto. San Francisco Opera Chorus director John Keene prepares the artists of the Opera Chorus.

The company’s summer season also brings the return of Richard Strauss and Hugo von Hofmannsthal’s 
fairy-tale opera Die Frau ohne Schatten (The Woman Without a Shadow) from June 4–28, a rarely performed masterwork that had its American premiere in San Francisco in 1959.

The third production is the highly anticipated Bay Area premiere of El último sueño de Frida y Diego 
 (The Last Dream of Frida and Diego). This new San Francisco Opera co-commission is by Berkeley-born composer Gabriela Lena Frank and Pulitzer Prize-winning librettist Nilo Cruz.

I am excited also to see a dazzling lineup of production, design, and costume talents.  

In addition to accomplished and compelling musical artists, SF Opera brings together an international group of creative arts talent. Each opera is distinctive in style, expression and visual delights.

Centennial Festive Evening

On Friday, June 16, San Francisco Opera welcomes an all-star, international roster of artists to celebrate the Company’s first 100 years and usher in its second century with the one-night-only 100th Anniversary Concert followed by a dinner with the artists fundraising benefit.

More information below on a remarkable program of leading international artists, creators and musical greats. 



•  Madame Butterfly  •



Jongwon Han as The Bonze, Karah Son as Cio-Cio-San, and John Charles Quimpo as Adult Trouble in Puccini's “Madame Butterfly.” Photo: Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera



This new production is led by visionary Japanese director Amon Miyamoto. 

Known for its many stirring melodies, including Cio-Cio-San’s aria “Un bel dì” (“One beautiful day”), the Humming Chorus and the passionate Act I love duet, Madame Butterfly is among the most famous operas from the composer of La Bohème, Tosca, Gianni Schicchi and Turandot. 




Julius Ahn as Goro in Puccini's “Madame Butterfly.” Photo: Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera




Karah Son as Cio-Cio-San in Puccini's “Madame Butterfly.” Photo: Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera




Michael Fabiano as Pinkerton and Karah Son as Cio-Cio-San in Puccini's “Madame Butterfly.” Photo: Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera




Karah Son as Cio-Cio-San in Puccini's “Madame Butterfly.” 
Photo: Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera



Viva Young Maguire as Trouble, Karah Son as Cio-Cio-San, and Hyona Kim as Suzuki in Puccini's “Madame Butterfly.” Photo: Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera



The new staging, a co-production with the Tokyo Nikikai Opera Foundation, Semperoper Dresden and the Royal Danish Opera, features the work of set designer Boris Kudlička, lighting designer Fabio Antoci and projection designer Bartek Macias.




•  Die Frau Ohne Schatten  •



Johan Reuter as Barak and Nina Stemme as the Dyer's Wife in Strauss and Hofmannsthal's “Die Frau ohne Schatten.” Photo: Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera




Die Frau ohne Schatten is, along with Richard Wagner’s Ring cycle and Hector Berlioz’s Les Troyens, among opera’s most ambitious and exhilarating large-scale works for the stage. 

For decades following its 1919 world premiere, Strauss’ magnum opus was considered impossible to produce by many American impresarios due to the work’s massive orchestral forces, complex scene changes and vocal demands. San Francisco Opera presented the work’s American premiere in 1959.

This new-to-San Francisco Opera production, which features otherworldly transitions between the spirit world, the imperial palace and the humble household of the tradesman, Barak. It’s the creative vision of artist David Hockney. 




Linda Watson as the Nurse and Stefan Egerstrom as the Spirit Messenger in Strauss and Hofmannsthal's “Die Frau ohne Schatten.” Photo: Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera




Camilla Nylund as the Empress and David Butt Philip as the Emperor in Strauss and Hofmannsthal's “Die Frau ohne Schatten.” Photo: Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera




Camilla Nylund as the Empress and David Butt Philip as the Emperor in Strauss and Hofmannsthal's “Die Frau ohne Schatten.”  Photo: Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera




David Butt Philip as the Emperor in Strauss and Hofmannsthal's “Die Frau ohne Schatten.” Photo: Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera




A scene from Strauss and Hofmannsthal's “Die Frau ohne Schatten.” Photo: Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera




Camilla Nylund as the Empress in Strauss and Hofmannsthal's “Die Frau ohne Schatten.” Photo: Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera




Former San Francisco Opera music director Sir Donald Runnicles, who led the company’s acclaimed performances of Wagner’s Ring cycle in 2011 and 2018, returns to the podium to conduct Die Frau ohne Schatten for the first time in his career.

Die Frau ohne Schatten, like Elektra, requires one of the largest pit orchestras in the operatic repertoire, and Maestro Runnicles leads the artists of the San Francisco Opera Orchestra, including 96 instrumentalists in the pit and 9 backstage, for these performances.

Swedish soprano Nina Stemme portrays the Dyer’s Wife. Stemme’s first performances of the role at the Vienna State Opera in 2019 were among opera’s hottest pre-pandemic tickets which Opera News hailed as “A stunning role debut.”



•  El ultimo sueño de Frida y Diego  •



Daniela Mack as Frida Kahlo, Alfredo Daza as Diego Rivera, and Yaritza Véliz as Catrina in Gabriela Lena Frank and Nilo Cruz's “El último sueño de Frida y Diego.” Photo: Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera




San Francisco Opera presents the Bay Area premiere of El último sueño de Frida y Diego June 13– 30. The new, vivid and dramatic opera by Bay Area composer Gabriela Lena Frank with librettist and frequent collaborator Nilo Cruz is a San Francisco Opera co- commission and the company’s first Spanish-language opera (the performances will feature English and Spanish supertitles). 

The opera takes place in 1957 on El Día de los Muertos (The Day of the Dead), three years after the death of visionary painter Frida Kahlo. The last wish of her lonely husband, famed muralist Diego Rivera, is to see Frida again and the underworld answers his call. The two artists enjoy one last opportunity at reunion, reconciliation and release from the pain of longing. 




Daniela Mack as Frida Kahlo in Gabriela Lena Frank and Nilo Cruz's “El último sueño de Frida y Diego.” Photo: Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera





Alfredo Daza as Diego Rivera in Gabriela Lena Frank and Nilo Cruz's “El último sueño de Frida y Diego.” Photo: Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera





Yaritza Véliz as Catrina in Gabriela Lena Frank and Nilo Cruz's “El último sueño de Frida y Diego.” Photo: Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera





Yaritza Véliz as Catrina and Daniela Mack as Frida Kahlo in Gabriela Lena Frank and Nilo Cruz's “El último sueño de Frida y Diego.”





Daniela Mack (center) as Frida Kalho in Gabriela Lena Frank and Nilo Cruz's “El último sueño de Frida y Diego.”




Gabriela Lena Frank’s music is regularly featured by the nation’s leading ensembles, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Boston Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony and Philadelphia Orchestra. She is composer in residence of the Philadelphia Orchestra and has composed new works for cellist Yo-Yo Ma, soprano Dawn Upshaw and conductors Marin Alsop and Yannick Nézet-Séguin. El último sueño de Frida y Diego is her first opera.




Artists & Creatives

I am excited also to see a dazzling lineup of orchestral, lighting, production, design, and costume talents. 

In addition to accomplished and compelling musical artists, SF Opera brings together an international group of creative arts talent. Each opera is distinctive in style, expression and visual delights.

Madame Butterfly:  Stage set designs by Boris Kudlicka and costumes by Kenzo Takada. The Japanese designer Kenzō Takada was the founder of the luxury brand KENZO.

Die Frau Ohne Schatten:  Sets by David Hockney. Costumes by Ian Falconer.

El último sueño de Frida y Diego:  Sets by Jorge Ballina. Costumes by Eloise Kazan.




San Francisco Opera Music Director Eun Sun Kim  Photo: Kim Tae-hwan





Sir Donald Runnicles (conductor)  Photo: Simon Pauly





MADAME BUTTERFLY


Michael Fabiano (Lt. B. F. Pinkerton in June performances)  Photo: Jiyang Chen





Amon Miyamoto (director)




Julius Ahn (Goro)  Photo: Jules Ko




DIE FRAU OHNE SCHATTEN


Nina Stemme (Dyer's Wife)  Photo: Neda Navaee





Camilla Nylund (The Empress)  Photo: annas-foto.de





Roy Rallo (stage director)






EL ÚLTIMO SUEÑO DE FRIDA Y DIEGO


Gabriela Lena Frank  Photo: Mariah Tauger




Eloise Kazan (costume designer)  Photo: Alex Farbe




Lorena Maza (director)





Daniela Mack (Frida Kahlo)  Photo: Shervin Lainez





San Francisco Opera Announces Program for One-Night-Only Centennial Celebration

100th Anniversary Concert
: War Memorial Opera House, June 16, 2023

Musical program spanning the company’s first century features the San Francisco Opera Orchestra and Chorus, conductors Eun Sun Kim, Sir Donald Runnicles, Patrick Summers and 15 vocal soloists.

The featured soloists are sopranos Karita Mattila, Ailyn Pérez, Patricia Racette, Nina Stemme, Heidi Stober, Adela Zaharia; mezzo-sopranos Susan Graham, Daniela Mack; tenors Lawrence Brownlee, Michael Fabiano, Brandon Jovanovich, Russell Thomas; baritones Lucas Meachem, Brian Mulligan; and bass-baritone Christian Van Horn.

The evening will feature selections from Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde, Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg and Tannhäuser, three works that marked a dramatic acceleration for the Company on the way to opening the 1935 season with its first-ever Ring cycle.

European masterpieces of the twentieth century are signified with selections from the works by Benjamin Britten and Erich Wolfgang Korngold. SFOpera’s longstanding reputation as a commissioner of new works and its relationship with composer John Adams are both observed with the inclusion of “Batter my heart” from Doctor Atomic, one of three operas by the Bay Area composer to have its world premiere on the stage of the War Memorial Opera House. 



Patricia Racette (soprano)  Photo: Kate Russell





Lawrence Brownlee (tenor)  Photo: Zakiyah Caldwell Burroughs





Heidi Stober (soprano)  Photo: Simon Pauly





Christian Van Horn (bass-baritone)  Photo: Dario Acosta





Adela Zaharia (soprano)  Photo: Klaudia Taday






Congratulations to SFOpera General Director Matthew Shilvock. I am looking forward to a wonderful and inspiring Summer Opera 2023.



San Francisco Opera General Director Matthew Shilvock. Photo: Kristen Loken




Eun Sun Kim and the San Francisco Opera Orchestra. Photo: Drew Altizer/San Francisco Opera





San Francisco War Memorial Opera House



CREDITS:

San Francisco Opera
War Memorial Opera House
301 Van Ness Avenue 
San Francisco, CA 94102


Instagram:

@sfopera

@sfoperaguild

@sfoperaorchestra

@eskconductor



Tickets:

www.sfopera.com



Livestreaming
SFOpera will share its performances globally through livestreams of the three operas and 100th Anniversary Concert. Each of the mainstage opera livestreams (excluding the concert) includes a 48-hour on-demand viewing option.) For more information, visit: www.sfopera.com/digital/Livestream.