Upcoming highlights of the dazzling season: Gounod, Mozart, Puccini, and Humperdinck and a dash of Britten. And I can’t wait to see the all-new and totally chic staging of The Marriage of Figaro.
I’m looking forward to a colorful, musical, dramatic, witty, joyous, and highly inspiring 97th season. It’s a dream season, opening with Romeo and Juliet, and racing onward to Billy Budd, The Marriage of Figaro, Manon Lescaut, and magical Hansel and Gretel. San Francisco Opera is world-class, classical opera at its best. I’m going to immerse myself in elegant staging, inspiring costumes and stage design, superb lighting, engaging casts and libretti…and the best of the best of international opera artists.
Congratulations and thanks to Matthew Shilvock, General Director, San Francisco Opera, and his entire team. Bravi!
SAN FRANCISCO OPERA OPENS 97TH SEASON ON SEPTEMBER 6 with a grand gala and masked ball. Charles Gounod’s inspired ‘Romeo and Juliet’ with tenor Bryan Hymel and exquisite soprano Nadine Sierra will be presented on September 6, the season opening night at the San Francisco War memorial Opera House.
ROMEO AND JULIET
The curtain rises on San Francisco Opera’s 2019–20 Season with Gounod’s Romeo and Juliet (Roméo et Juliette), a French operatic adaptation of William Shakespeare’s classic love story. Distinguished by rapturous duets and brilliant, show-stopping arias, this sensuous lyric drama returns to the Company’s repertory, after a 32-year absence. It’s under the baton of French-Canadian conductor Yves Abel.
Making his American directorial debut, Opéra de Monte-Carlo Director Jean-Louis Grinda offers his colorful staging evoking the Verona of the original play.
Of the production, director Grinda says, “To ensure that this drama of absolute love touches every spectator, we respect its original setting and gracefully simplify its scenographic presentation. Without being minimalistic, we suggest Renaissance splendor and leave the imagination to work, focusing the attention on the stage artists.”
The staging, originally a co-production by Genoa’s Teatro Carlo Felice and Opéra de Monte-Carlo, premiered in 2012 with sets designed by Eric Chevalier, costumes by Carola Volles and lighting by Roberto Venturi.
BILLY BUDD
The season continues with the West Coast premiere of Michael Grandage’s “powerful” (New York Times) production of Billy Budd (September 7–22) by English composer Benjamin Britten. Featuring an all-male cast.
THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO
Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro (Le Nozze di Figaro; October 11–November 1) presented in a new production by Michael Cavanagh with sets designed by Erhard Rom, costumes designed by Constance Hoffman and lighting designed by Jane Cox.
The Marriage of Figaro, set during the post-Revolutionary War period, features an ensemble cast of bass-baritone Michael Sumuel as Figaro.
Four artists are making Company debuts: soprano Jeanine De Bique as Susanna, baritone Levente Molnár as the Count, soprano Jennifer Davis as Countess Almaviva and mezzo-soprano Serena Malfi as Cherubino.
With Hungarian conductor Henrik Nánási, who made his acclaimed Company debut in 2017 leading Richard Strauss’ Elektra, on the podium.
MANON LESCAUT
San Francisco Opera presents Giacomo Puccini’s first triumph as an opera composer, Manon Lescaut (November 8–26), for the first time in 13 years.
Olivier Tambosi’s production is dramatic. Soprano Lianna Haroutounian and tenor Brian Jagde make role debuts as Manon Lescaut and Chevalier des Grieux, respectively, and former Company Music Director Nicola Luisotti returns to the podium in this work of Italian verismo.
Information: sfopera.com/operaball2019 or (415) 565-3204.
A free community event, the simulcast will be transmitted in high definition live from the stage of the War Memorial Opera House to the new Mitsubishi Electronic Diamond Vision Board at Oracle Park.
This has been a highly popular event since it was founded two decades ago, and both opera lovers and baseball fans crowd the ballpark to view and enjoy it.
San Francisco Opera Box Office is located at 301 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco. Box Office hours: Monday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Standing Room tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. on the morning of each performance. Standing room tickets are $10 each, cash only and limited to two tickets per person. Casting, schedules and ticket prices are subject to change
OPENING WEEKEND
San Francisco Opera Fall 2019 opening weekend includes:
Tickets available at sfopera.com and (415) 864-3330
CREDITS:
Photography courtesy of San Francisco Opera.
I’m looking forward to a colorful, musical, dramatic, witty, joyous, and highly inspiring 97th season. It’s a dream season, opening with Romeo and Juliet, and racing onward to Billy Budd, The Marriage of Figaro, Manon Lescaut, and magical Hansel and Gretel. San Francisco Opera is world-class, classical opera at its best. I’m going to immerse myself in elegant staging, inspiring costumes and stage design, superb lighting, engaging casts and libretti…and the best of the best of international opera artists.
Congratulations and thanks to Matthew Shilvock, General Director, San Francisco Opera, and his entire team. Bravi!
 |
| Gounod's "Romeo and Juliet." Photo: Alain Hanel |
SAN FRANCISCO OPERA OPENS 97TH SEASON ON SEPTEMBER 6 with a grand gala and masked ball. Charles Gounod’s inspired ‘Romeo and Juliet’ with tenor Bryan Hymel and exquisite soprano Nadine Sierra will be presented on September 6, the season opening night at the San Francisco War memorial Opera House.
 |
| Gounod's "Romeo and Juliet." Photo: Alain Hanel |
ROMEO AND JULIET
The curtain rises on San Francisco Opera’s 2019–20 Season with Gounod’s Romeo and Juliet (Roméo et Juliette), a French operatic adaptation of William Shakespeare’s classic love story. Distinguished by rapturous duets and brilliant, show-stopping arias, this sensuous lyric drama returns to the Company’s repertory, after a 32-year absence. It’s under the baton of French-Canadian conductor Yves Abel.
Making his American directorial debut, Opéra de Monte-Carlo Director Jean-Louis Grinda offers his colorful staging evoking the Verona of the original play.
 |
| Bryan Hymel (Romeo) and Nadine Sierra (Juliette) from an early rehearsal of Gounod's "Romeo et Juliette." Photo by Cory Weaver San Francisco Opera |
Of the production, director Grinda says, “To ensure that this drama of absolute love touches every spectator, we respect its original setting and gracefully simplify its scenographic presentation. Without being minimalistic, we suggest Renaissance splendor and leave the imagination to work, focusing the attention on the stage artists.”
The staging, originally a co-production by Genoa’s Teatro Carlo Felice and Opéra de Monte-Carlo, premiered in 2012 with sets designed by Eric Chevalier, costumes by Carola Volles and lighting by Roberto Venturi.
 |
| Britten's "Billy Budd." Photo: Alastair Muir/Glyndebourne Productions Ltd. |
BILLY BUDD
The season continues with the West Coast premiere of Michael Grandage’s “powerful” (New York Times) production of Billy Budd (September 7–22) by English composer Benjamin Britten. Featuring an all-male cast.
 |
| Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro" set design for Act IV. |
THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO
Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro (Le Nozze di Figaro; October 11–November 1) presented in a new production by Michael Cavanagh with sets designed by Erhard Rom, costumes designed by Constance Hoffman and lighting designed by Jane Cox.
The Marriage of Figaro, set during the post-Revolutionary War period, features an ensemble cast of bass-baritone Michael Sumuel as Figaro.
Four artists are making Company debuts: soprano Jeanine De Bique as Susanna, baritone Levente Molnár as the Count, soprano Jennifer Davis as Countess Almaviva and mezzo-soprano Serena Malfi as Cherubino.
With Hungarian conductor Henrik Nánási, who made his acclaimed Company debut in 2017 leading Richard Strauss’ Elektra, on the podium.
 |
| Puccini's "Manon Lescaut." Photo: Terrence McCarthy/San Francisco Opera |
MANON LESCAUT
San Francisco Opera presents Giacomo Puccini’s first triumph as an opera composer, Manon Lescaut (November 8–26), for the first time in 13 years.
Olivier Tambosi’s production is dramatic. Soprano Lianna Haroutounian and tenor Brian Jagde make role debuts as Manon Lescaut and Chevalier des Grieux, respectively, and former Company Music Director Nicola Luisotti returns to the podium in this work of Italian verismo.
 |
| Humperdinck's "Hansel and Gretel." Photo: Cory Weaver |
HANSEL AND GRETEL
San Francisco Opera co-production with London’s Royal Opera of Engelbert Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel (November 15–December 7) closes the fall season presentations.
Conducted by Christopher Franklin, the cast features mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke (Hansel) and soprano Heidi Stober (Gretel) as the impoverished siblings who, alone in the woods, must face a witch, portrayed by tenor Robert Brubaker.
Featuring storybook sets by Antony McDonald , which The Times (UK) called “enchanting.”
With cameos by fairy tale figures and Humperdinck’s romantic, sweeping score, this family-friendly production offers a rich musical and theatrical experience where children are the heroes.
San Francisco Opera co-production with London’s Royal Opera of Engelbert Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel (November 15–December 7) closes the fall season presentations.
Conducted by Christopher Franklin, the cast features mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke (Hansel) and soprano Heidi Stober (Gretel) as the impoverished siblings who, alone in the woods, must face a witch, portrayed by tenor Robert Brubaker.
Featuring storybook sets by Antony McDonald , which The Times (UK) called “enchanting.”
With cameos by fairy tale figures and Humperdinck’s romantic, sweeping score, this family-friendly production offers a rich musical and theatrical experience where children are the heroes.
 |
| San Francisco Opera Ball 2018 Photo: Drew Altizer Photography |
Opera Ball
One of the premier philanthropic events on the West Coast, San Francisco Opera Guild’s Opera Ball 2019: The Capulets’ Masked Ball celebrates the opening of the new season with an elegant pre-performance cocktail reception and dinner, and the performance, followed by dancing and celebration into the night.Information: sfopera.com/operaball2019 or (415) 565-3204.
BRAVO! Club
The BRAVO! CLUB’s annual black-tie gala for opera-loving, young professionals includes a cocktail reception and opening night performance of Romeo and Juliet. After the opera, revelers join in the festivities of the Opera Ball celebration.
For more information and to join BRAVO! Club. sfopera.com/bravo.
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| Opera in the Park Photo: Drew Altizer Photography |
Opera in the Park — Free Concert in Golden Gate Park on September 8 at 1:30pm
Presented by the San Francisco Chronicle, Opera in the Park features the stars of the Company’s 2019 Fall Season in concert with the San Francisco Opera Orchestra. This annual al fresco event held at Robin Williams Meadow in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park is free and open to the public. This free concert and the entire opening weekend are funded and supported by San Francisco philanthropist Dede Wilsey, who has been a major benefactor of San Francisco Opera for many decades.
For more event information, visit sfopera.com/park.
Special Event — Romeo and Juliet
Each presentation of Romeo and Juliet (except for the September 6 performance) at the War Memorial Opera House features a 25-minute Pre-Opera Talk by Alexandra Amati, Professor and Director of the Music Program at the University of San Francisco. |
| Opera at the Ballpark Photo: Stefan Cohen/San Francisco Opera |
Opera at the Ballpark
On September 21, San Francisco Opera and the San Francisco Giants will present Opera at the Ballpark, featuring a live simulcast of Romeo and Juliet.A free community event, the simulcast will be transmitted in high definition live from the stage of the War Memorial Opera House to the new Mitsubishi Electronic Diamond Vision Board at Oracle Park.
This has been a highly popular event since it was founded two decades ago, and both opera lovers and baseball fans crowd the ballpark to view and enjoy it.
 |
| San Francisco Opera War Memorial Opera House during 2015 performance of Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg. Photo by Cory Weaver. |
Tickets and More Information
For tickets, visit sfopera.com, call (415) 864-3330.San Francisco Opera Box Office is located at 301 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco. Box Office hours: Monday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Standing Room tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. on the morning of each performance. Standing room tickets are $10 each, cash only and limited to two tickets per person. Casting, schedules and ticket prices are subject to change
OPENING WEEKEND
San Francisco Opera Fall 2019 opening weekend includes:
- Opera Ball and Bravo! Club galas on September 6
- Benjamin Britten’s Billy Budd opens on September 7
- Free Opera in the Park Concert on September 8
Tickets available at sfopera.com and (415) 864-3330
CREDITS:
Photography courtesy of San Francisco Opera.
 |
| War Memorial Opera House. Photo by Cesar Rubio |
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