YOUR OPERA
LEGACY
Marilyn Horne HONORARY CHAIRWOMAN BEL CANTO LEGACY SOCIETY
VOLUME 2 • SPRING 2018
Francisco Opera Patrons
A Gift to San Francisco Opera’s Future
THANK YOU! For nearly 100 years, San Francisco Opera has delighted, entertained and inspired generations of patrons with extraordinary works of opera. The Company is proud to perpetuate a magnificent art form that has endured for over 400 years. Patrons like you are a special force at San Francisco Opera; you are loyal subscribers, generous donors and devoted volunteers. Many of you are also Bel Canto Legacy Society members who have made legacy gift commitments to the Company. I am personally grateful for your wonderful example and steadfast support. Thank you. For those of you who are new to our opera family, I warmly welcome you and hope you will enjoy your first issue of Your Opera Legacy.
Planning Ideas for San
Don Buhman and Wray Humphrey have both included the Opera in their estate plans.
As a student, Don Buhman began his association with San Francisco Opera as a supernumerary in 1956, the era of Renata Tebaldi and Jussi Bjoerling. The San Francisco resident hasn’t missed a season since. Wray Humphrey first began attending the Opera in the 1960s after moving from southern California, where he attended opera as a youth. Don and Wray have attended San Francisco Opera performances as friends since 1984 and later joined the Opera’s Bel Canto Legacy Society in 1995. Don considers joining the Society “an important milestone in my relationship with San Francisco Opera.” Looking back on his first year as a Bel Canto member, he recalls, “When I first attended a Bel Canto luncheon at the Hayes Street Grill, the Bel Canto Legacy Society membership was, at that time, small enough to fit into one dining room.” Another milestone in Don’s life at the Opera was marked over 60 years ago: “1956 was the
year that I first started supering with the Opera and I was fortunate enough to be onstage with others for the opening night performance of Manon Lescaut starring Dorothy Kirsten and Jussi Bjorling. Before that time, I had attended performances but after volunteering as a supernumerary, I was truly hooked.” “I had two memorable experiences as a San Francisco Opera supernumerary—both took place when the Opera brought Turandot and Aida to the U.C. Greek Theater.” Don continues, “In a performance of Turandot, I was stationed next to Leonie Rysanek as a guard while she was singing ‘In Questa Regia.’ We had orders not to move during this particular aria. With Leonie as the only active person on stage, a large yellow dog bound up—with wagging tail—straight to Leonie. This great soprano seemed to glance over at me as if I was supposed to do something about it. Amazingly, she made it through that difficult aria despite the laughter from the audience.” Don has another favorite opera story. “During a performance of Aida, when Leontyne con t i nues o n page 4
B A N C R O F T L I B R A R Y AT U C B E R K E L E Y
PHOTO BY ALAN HANCOCK
SAN FRANCISCO OPERA
Estate, Financial and Gift
A San Francisco Opera production of Puccini’s Turandot at the Greek Theatre in 1957.
San Francisco Opera continues its legacy of excellence with the return of the Ring and the 2018-19 Season
MICHAEL COOPER CANADIAN OPERA CO.
Richard Wagner’s operatic masterpiece returns to San Francisco Opera this summer. In this timeless tale, Wagner’s majestic music humanizes the mythic figures of legend— giants, dragons, gods and heroes. Donald Runnicles will lead an exceptional international cast of the world’s leading Wagnerians, including the Company debuts of Evelyn Herlitzius as Brünnhilde, Daniel Brenna as Siegfried and Falk Struckmann as Alberich. Francesca Zambello’s visually arresting production also stars Greer Grimsley as Wotan/The Wanderer, Karita Mattila as Sieglinde, Brandon Jovanovich as Froh and Siegmund and Jamie Barton as Fricka and Waltraute. Visit sfopera.com/ring to plan your experience with the Ring!
THE RI
EXPLORE THE
2018–19
SEASON San Francisco Opera presents eight brand-new productions beginning this fall, with the promise of excellent artistry and profound emotional experiences. Explore the season through musical excerpts in our audio galleries, production photos and videos at sfopera.com/1819season.
YOUR CIRCLE OF ADVISORS
LY N N L A N E H O U S T O N G R A N D O P E R A
How will today’s tax provisions affect my financial situation and philanthropy? Many of our patrons are presenting this question to their circles of advisors as part of their current giving and legacy gift planning. Others just beginning this process may ask: How might I best provide for myself, my loved ones and the organizations I care for most? Financial advisors, accountants, estate planning attorneys, other tax advisors and long-term care specialists (for later years) can help with your comprehensive plans. For more information, referrals or estate planning resources, please contact Mandala Pham, Senior Legacy Giving Officer, at (415) 565-6413 or mpham@sfopera.com. PA G E 2
EASY LEGA
There are many ways to s not require legal assistance. beneficiary designation form your financial institution’s fo your money distributed afte you want __% to go to San F The process varies when nam beneficiary of your donor-ad Mandala Pham, Senior Legac (415) 565-6413 or mpham@s YOU CAN GIVE THE FOLLOWING ASSETS THROUGH A DESIGNATION:
• • • • • • •
IR li c s s c d
ACY GIFTS
set up a legacy gift that do . You can do so through a m. Simply request and sign orm, stating how you want er your lifetime (for example, Francisco Opera Association). ming the Opera as a dvised fund. Please contact cy Giving Officer, at sfopera.com.
RA and pension plans ife insurance commercial annuities tocks and bonds aving accounts checking accounts donor-advised funds
P H O T O B Y C O R Y W E AV E R
ESTATE PIECES OF THE
P H O T O B Y D AV I D W A K E LY
ING
PLANNING PUZZLE
What does the term “estate plan” mean? For some people it means just a will, while for others it may mean a lot more. Here are a few documents that may be found in an estate plan. A will directs how you want your property distributed at death. State law governs how wills must be drafted, witnessed and amended. The will is presented to a probate court, which oversees the distribution of assets. A will may not govern the transfer of all property, however (e.g., life insurance, jointly owned property). For those dying without a will, state law dictates how property is distributed to family members. A revocable living trust is established during your lifetime. Certain assets—investments, home, car, life insurance—are transferred to or acquired within the trust, which can be changed or revoked at any time prior to death. During your lifetime, there is little difference between owning assets outright or owning them in trust. At death, the assets are distributed as directed in the trust, without the oversight of the probate court. Many individuals with living trusts also have simple wills directing that any assets not in the trust be added to and distributed according to the trust’s provisions. A living trust reduces probate costs, allows faster distribution of assets, offers privacy and provides for continued operation of a closely held business. A durable power of attorney names someone to act on your behalf in the event of a temporary or permanent disability in matters of health care or property. The power becomes effective only when certain conditions outlined in the document are met.
A living will (health care proxy) indicates your wishes concerning life-sustaining medical treatments in the event you are unable to speak for yourself. You can also name a friend or family member to make such decisions on your behalf under certain circumstances or for a
Your plans may change over the years as you acquire additional assets or the needs of family members change. specific period of time. Which of these documents do you need to accomplish your estate planning goals? That depends on the size and complexity of your estate. Your planning needs may change over the years as you acquire additional assets or the needs of family members change. Only a thorough, periodic review with your attorney will allow you to decide the combination that best meets your objectives. Keep in mind that you can name San Francisco Opera Association as a beneficiary in both your will and living trust. You can easily update an existing document through an amendment to your will or trust. If you are considering a legacy gift to the Opera or have already remembered us in your estate plans, please let us know so that we may thank you. If you do not have a will or living trust, our staff can provide you with attorney referrals. Please contact Mandala Pham, Senior Legacy Giving Officer, at (415) 565-6413 or mpham@sfopera.com.
PA G E 3
TEA PHOTOS BY KRISTEN LOKEN
BEL CANTO
LEGACY SOCIETY
P H O T O B Y C O R Y W E AV E R
TEA PHOTOS BY KRISTEN LOKEN
Each spring, our Bel Canto Legacy Society members are honored at the Bel Canto Tea. Members celebrate the occasion with friends old and new, enjoy remarks by the general director and delight in a performance by our Adler Fellows.
Last year, Bel Canto members savored opera behind the scenes during a first rehearsal of La Bohème. Legacy Society members are invited to two rehearsals each year.
cont i nu e s f ro m p a g e 1
Price was singing in the Nile scene, a group of supernumerary soldiers was stationed to one side of the stage; again we were given orders to run onstage only at the right moment. In error, Leontyne ran toward us instead of away from us and we had to dash away from her, sprint around the back and come out the other side. By the time we arrived, the music had stopped. The audience went wild!” Even for a supernumerary, there is never a dull moment onstage or behind the scenes at San Francisco Opera. Today, Don and Wray continue to subscribe, make regular annual contributions and attend Bel Canto Legacy Society events. “Wray and I are proud to be associated with the Opera. Through our separate bequests, we hope the Opera will remain important to future audiences.” Their support is truly a gift and a sound investment in a lasting future for San Francisco Opera.
C O N TA C T U S
To learn more about legacy giving or how to join the Bel Canto Legacy Society, please return the enclosed reply form. For assistance or to notify us of your legacy gift plans, contact Mandala Pham, Senior Legacy Giving Officer, at (415) 565-6413 or mpham@sfopera.com. The information contained in this newsletter is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Please consult your own legal advisors who are familiar with your particular situation if you are contemplating a major or planned charitable gift.