2012–13 SEASON
SUBSCRIBER GUIDE
FALL 2012 SAN FRANCISCO OPERA IN THE PARK Sunday, September 9, 1:30pm, Golden Gate Park
FREE SIMULCAST AT AT&T PARK—RIGOLETTO Saturday, September 15, 8pm
RIGOLETTO
Verdi
SEP 7 8pm, 8 8pm, 11 8pm, 12 7:30pm, 15 8pm*, 16 2pm*, 18 8pm 19 7:30pm*, 21 8pm, 23 2pm*, 25 7:30pm, 30 2pm* THE
CAPULETS AND THE MONTAGUES
Bellini
SEP 29 8pm OCT 3 7:30pm*, 11 7:30pm*, 14 2pm*, 16 8pm, 19 8pm
MOBY-DICK
Heggie and Scheer
OCT 10 7:30pm, 13 8pm*, 18 7:30pm*, 21 2pm*, 23 8pm, 26 8pm 30 7:30pm NOV 2 8pm
LOHENGRIN
Wagner
OCT 20 7pm, 24 7pm*, 28 1pm*, 31 7pm* NOV 3 7pm, 6 7pm, 9 7pm
TOSCA
Puccini
NOV 15 7:30pm*, 16 8pm, 18 2pm*, 20 8pm, 21 7:30pm, 24 8pm* 25 2pm*, 27 8pm, 28 7:30pm*, 29 7:30pm* DEC 1 8pm, 2 2pm*
SUMMER 2013 THE
TALES OF HOFFMANN
Offenbach
JUN 5 7:30pm, 11 8pm, 14 8pm, 20 7:30pm*, 23 2pm*, 27 7:30pm* 30 2pm JUL 3 7:30pm*, 6 8pm
COSÌ FAN TUTTE
Mozart
JUN 9 2pm*, 12 7:30pm*, 18 8pm*, 21 8pm, 26 7:30pm, 29 8pm JUL 1 7:30pm* THE
GOSPEL OF MARY MAGDALENE
Adamo
JUN 19 7:30pm, 22 8pm, 25 8pm, 28 8pm JUL 2 7:30pm*, 5 8pm*, 7 2pm*
* OperaVision, high-definition projection screens featured in the Balcony level, is made possible by the Koret-Taube Media Suite.
Welcome Subscriber! Your Subscriber Guide is a reference point for all the information you will need regarding your subscription for the 2012–13 Season. Your tickets are your keys to the Opera, and we encourage you to keep them stored in a safe place. To keep track of your opera season, mark your calendar with your performance dates and curtain times, or circle them on the opposite page. Additionally, your subscriber ID card should be kept on hand at all times, as it provides access to savings at San Francisco restaurants and museums (see page 4). Thank you for subscribing; we’ll see you at the Opera!
Contents Subscriber Benefits..................................................................2 Enrich Your Experience............................................................3 Subscriber Perks......................................................................4 Dine and Shop at the Opera House........................................5 Tickets and Exchanges............................................................6 At the Opera House................................................................6 Getting to the Opera House...................................................8 Support the Opera..................................................................9
Subscriber Benefits In addition to great savings, guaranteed best-available seating and exceptional ticket exchange privileges, subscribers enjoy these additional benefits: SAVE ON ADDITIONAL SINGLE TICKETS Subscribers receive discounts on additional single tickets purchased for select performances in the 2012–13 Season. To receive applicable discounts, log in when you purchase tickets online or call the Box Office to order. MY SUBSCRIPTION E-MAIL NEWSLETTER Your monthly subscriber e-newsletter keeps you informed about upcoming events, performances by the Adler Fellows and Merola, and other priority ordering opportunities. Sign up by sending an email to subscriptions@sfopera.com with the subject line “My Subscription.” SUBSCRIBER PERKS Through the Subscriber Perks program, subscribers receive special discounts at the Opera Shop as well as neighborhood restaurants and area museums. (See pages 4 and 5.) OPERA GUILD INSIGHT PANEL DISCUSSIONS Artists and personalities from the world of opera share their insights and experiences during informal panel discussions at the Herbst Theatre. Present your subscriber ID card for complimentary entry; seating is limited and is first come, first served. Visit sfopera.com/insightpanels for information. OPERA GUILD PREVIEW LECTURES Renowned musicologists visit Opera Guild chapters throughout the greater Bay Area, offering an in-depth look into the season’s upcoming operas. Chapters include East Bay, Marin, San Francisco, Sonoma, Peninsula and San Jose Opera Guild. Dates, times, ticket prices and locations vary; visit sfopera.com/previews for more information.
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Enrich Your Experience SAN FRANCISCO OPERA ONLINE Visit sfopera.com for audio and video clips and to read program notes in advance (program notes are usually available one week in advance of the opening of each opera). Visit sfopera.com and click on an opera’s title. PRE-OPERA TALKS Before every performance (except Opening Night on September 7), charismatic music scholars present a 25-minute overview of the opera, with insights on the music, composer and historical background. Pre-Opera Talks are free to ticket holders and take place in the Orchestra section of the Opera House, 55 minutes prior to curtain. For more information, visit sfopera.com/operatalks. OVERTURE: OPERA WORKSHOPS FOR ADULTS These interactive workshops will take you through the journey of creating an opera and deepen your appreciation of the art form. For more information about the fall 2012 series, visit sfopera.com/workshops. TOURS OF THE WAR MEMORIAL OPERA HOUSE During the Opera season, trained Guild volunteer docents lead backstage tours of the Opera House. Donors enjoy a discounted admission price. Tours take place on select dates, space is limited and reservations are required; $10 for donors (Friend level and higher); $15 for general admission. Visit sfopera.com/tours for dates, times and reservation information. JOIN AN OPERA GUILD CHAPTER Join a chapter of the Opera Guild to help develop new opera audiences. Most chapters sponsor social events, concerts and recitals, newsletters, and preview lectures of operas of the current season. Chapters also provide docents for the in-school program, Opera à la Carte. For more information, visit sfopera.com/guild. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Have fun and volunteer to help San Francisco Opera and Opera Guild. Volunteer opportunities include the chance to assist at events, work with education programs or help out in the Opera Shop. If interested, call (415) 565-6433. For volunteer opportunities with the Merola Opera Program or Opera Center, call (415) 565-3243. For information about volunteer ushering, email ushers@sfopera.com. 3
Subscriber Perks Subscribers enjoy exclusive savings at neighborhood restaurants and museums. Simply show your Subscriber ID card (included with your season tickets) to receive a special discount (valid from September 7, 2012–July 7, 2013). Visit sfopera.com/perks for up-to-date information about participating businesses. Subscribers also receive special rates at local hotels; visit sfopera.com/hotels for more details. Businesses and offers are subject to change. RESTAURANTS Bai Thong Thai Cuisine NEW OPERA PARTNER! baithongthaisf.com • (415) 863-9335 • 298 Gough Street Your choice of a complimentary glass of wine/beer or Thai dessert with each entrée purchased. The Blue Muse NEW OPERA PARTNER! (415) 701-9888 • 370 Grove Street Complimentary glass of wine with purchase of an entrée. Espetus Churrascaria espetus.com • (415) 552-8792 • 1686 Market Street Enjoy two complimentary glasses of sangria. Lers Ros Thai NEW OPERA PARTNER! lersros.com • (415) 874-9661 • 307 Hayes Street Receive 10% off your total bill. Maestro NEW OPERA PARTNER! (415) 797-8508 • 555 Golden Gate Avenue Your choice of a complimentary appetizer or dessert. Momi Tobys Café and Art Bar momitobyscafe.com • (415) 626-1508 • 258 Laguna Street Complimentary cup of house coffee with any purchase and a complimentary glass of wine or beer with the purchase of an entrée. O3 Bistro & Lounge NEW OPERA PARTNER! O3restaurant.com • (415) 934-9800 • 524 Van Ness Avenue Complimentary appetizer with purchase of an entrée. Limit 1 per ID. Sage Café NEW OPERA PARTNER! (415) 252-9887 • 340 Grove Street Receive 10% off your total bill. Sauce saucesf.com • (415) 252-1369 • 131 Gough Street Complimentary dessert with the purchase of an entrée. Soluna Café & Lounge solunasf.com • (415) 621-2200 • 272 McAllister Street Complimentary dessert with purchase of an entrée. MUSEUMS Asian Art Museum asianart.org • (415) 581-3500 • 200 Larkin Street $2 off one adult general admission (reg. $12) per opera ticket stub.
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Dine and Shop at the Opera House DINING AT THE OPERA HOUSE The Patina Group serves an elegant hot buffet in the lower lounge of the Opera House, open two hours before most performances. For lighter fare, visit Café Express* on the Lower level or Dress Circle Café on the Dress Circle level. If arriving early to dine, enter through the Carriage entrance located on the north side of the War Memorial Opera House (adjacent to the courtyard). Advance reservations are strongly recommended. Call (415) 861-8150. *Café Express opens 1 hour prior to curtain.
INTERMISSION REFRESHMENTS Refreshments are served by The Patina Group during all performance intermissions. Visit refreshment areas on the Lobby, Box, Dress Circle and Balcony levels, as well as the lower lounge. For faster service during intermissions, you may reserve a table with refreshments of your choice and preorder by calling (415) 861-8150. SAN FRANCISCO OPERA SHOP Subscribers enjoy a 10% discount at the San Francisco Opera Shop (present your Subscriber ID upon purchase). Located on the South Mezzanine level of the Opera House, it features opera books, logo merchandise, recordings and memorabilia. All proceeds benefit San Francisco Opera. The Opera Shop is open 90 minutes before performances, during intermissions and 15 minutes after final curtain. 5
Tickets and Exchanges All exchanges subject to availability; any additional ticket price differential will apply. FULL AND HALF SERIES EXCHANGES • No fee for advance exchanges into a different performance of the same opera. • No fee for advance exchanges into a different opera. DESIGN YOUR OWN, OUT OF TOWN SERIES AND MINI SERIES EXCHANGES • No fee for advance exchanges into a different performance of the same opera. • $10 fee for exchanges into a different opera (compared to the $25 fee for non-subscribers). STUDENT AND TEACHER SERIES EXCHANGES • Tickets may be exchanged for another weeknight performance of the same opera. • Exchanges into a weekend performance, regardless of the original date, will be made at the regular subscription price. DAY-OF-PERFORMANCE TICKET EXCHANGES For all subscribers there is a $10 per ticket fee for exchanges made on the day of the performance. The deadline for exchanges is two hours prior to the original performance. After that time, the Box Office is only able to accept ticket donations (see below for details). EXCHANGE IN PERSON, OR BY PHONE To exchange tickets in person, please bring your tickets to the Box Office window. To exchange over the phone, please call (415) 864-3330 with your tickets in hand; we will need to verify information that is printed on each ticket. Please destroy your old tickets. TICKET DONATIONS If you are unable to exchange your tickets, please consider making a fully tax-deductible contribution, which allows your seats to be released for sale. This benefits the Opera as well as your fellow patrons. To make a donation, simply return your tickets to the Opera Box Office prior to the performance. You may also call the Box Office up to 10 minutes before curtain time on the day of the performance. These donations do not apply toward membership benefits.
At the Opera House ACCESSIBILITY There are accessible entrances on all three sides of the building where the public may enter. Accessible restroom facilities are found on the Lower and Mezzanine levels as well as floors 2, 3 and 4. If you have special accessibility needs, please contact us at (415) 864-3330 in advance of the performance so we can ensure your comfort. 6
LISTENING DEVICES The Opera House is equipped with a Sennheiser Infrared Listening System. Patrons may obtain headsets with individual volume controls at the North and South Lobby coat checks. An ID deposit is requested. The devices can be used in any seat in the Opera House. LARGE PRINT CAST LIST AND SYNOPSIS Large print cast list and synopsis sheets are available at the North and South Lobby coat checks. FIRST AID The first aid station is located at the south end of the Lower level. If you have a medical emergency or become aware of one, please alert an usher immediately. Medical staff will be dispatched. LATE SEATING All performances begin promptly at their scheduled times. As a courtesy to artists and patrons, latecomers will not be seated until the first intermission. If you leave your seat during the performance, you will not be permitted to return while the performance is in progress. COAT CHECK Coat check rooms are located in both the south and north promenades of the main lobby. OPERA GLASSES Opera glasses may be rented for $5 at the North Lobby coat check. An ID deposit is requested. LOST AND FOUND Lost and found items may be claimed at the North Lobby coat check during each performance. All unclaimed items are delivered to the War Memorial Performing Arts Center, located at 401 Van Ness Avenue, Room 110, following the performance. To claim your lost items, please call (415) 621-6600 between 8am and 5pm, Monday through Friday. EMERGENCY TELEPHONE Cell phones and pagers must be silenced during the performance. For patrons anticipating an urgent call, please notify an usher of your situation and seat location before the performance begins. Use the telephone number (415) 551-6238 for incoming emergency calls. COURTESY TELEPHONE Courtesy telephones for local calls are located in the main lobby directly across from the elevators. BICYCLE PARKING Bike racks are located in front of and behind the War Memorial Veterans Building directly across the courtyard. Please provide your own lock, and do not lock your bike to any part of the Opera House or its premises as it may prove hazardous to those entering or exiting the building.
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Getting to the Opera House WAR MEMORIAL OPERA HOUSE 301 Van Ness Avenue at Grove Street Please remember there is no late seating during performances. Please allow plenty of time to arrive safely at the Opera House. For up-to-date traffic reports, please check 511.org or call 511. BY CAR From the Golden Gate Bridge: Take Lombard Street to Van Ness Avenue. Turn right on Van Ness Avenue and proceed south for approximately 1.5 miles. The War Memorial Opera House will be on your right. From the Bay Bridge/Highway 101 North: Take the 9th Street/ Civic Center exit. Take 9th Street north to Market Street (stay in the two left lanes). Proceed through the Market Street intersection and veer left onto Hayes Street. Turn right on Van Ness Avenue. The War Memorial Opera House will be on your left on the corner of Grove and Van Ness Avenue. PARKING Parking is available in a number of lots in the surrounding areas (see map below ). 1. Civic Center Plaza Garage (840 spaces, underground) Enter on McAllister Street between Polk and Larkin 2. Performing Arts Garage (620 spaces) 360 Grove Street, between Franklin and Gough 3. Opera Plaza Garage Enter on Golden Gate, between Van Ness and Franklin BART Exit at the Civic Center station. Walk west on Grove Street to Van Ness Avenue. The last southbound train leaves the Civic Center at 1:06am, seven days a week. The last northbound train to the East Bay leaves at 12:21am, seven days a week. Visit bart.gov for more information.
PARKING LOTS
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MUNI Several MUNI buses and trolley cars service the Opera House and the surrounding area. For information, visit sfmuni.com. GUILD-SPONSORED BUS SERVICES San Francisco Opera Guild chapters organize charter bus services to the Opera for patrons who live in the South Peninsula. Bus services are scheduled around the Sunday afternoon series; single-ticket patrons are welcome to ride as well. For information about riding the bus, call Eleanor Rakonitz at (650) 322-3159. TAXI SERVICE Patrons needing a taxi at the end of the performance should reserve one with the usher at the door off the Grove Street entrance before the end of the final intermission. Reservations cannot be guaranteed. Taxi service is based on availability of licensed taxis. If you require a wheelchair accessible vehicle, let us know when you leave your name and we will do our best to accommodate your request. You may want to consider hiring a car service to be assured of a ride.
Support the Opera Contribute to San Francisco Opera and come closer to this amazing art form. By choosing to invest in this Company, you help ensure that we will continue to deliver world-class performances, train the stars of tomorrow, bring opera education to local schools and present free community events. Great opera can enrich your life and transform our community. Help us continue this tradition by joining our family of generous contributors. For details about giving levels and donor benefits, please visit sfopera.com/support. HAVE YOUR COMPANY MATCH YOUR GIFT If your company matches charitable gifts, your donation may be doubled or even tripled each season, and you may be entitled to additional benefits at your matched level of giving. Contact your company’s personnel office to inquire about this opportunity. LEAVE A LASTING LEGACY Remember San Francisco Opera in your estate plan. Endowment and legacy giving can provide financial advantages to you, while helping to ensure the future of this Company and provide a cushion of support during challenging economic times. Contact Mark Jones at (415) 565-3206 or mjones@sfopera.com for more information. HOW TO MAKE YOUR GIFT Online sfopera.com/donate Phone (415) 565-6416 Mail Development Department, San Francisco Opera 301 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102-4509 9
Contact Us Opera Box Office War Memorial Opera House Monday, 10am–5pm Tuesday–Friday, 10am–6pm Saturday, 10am–6pm (during performance season) The Opera Box Office remains open through first intermission of all performances. Phone: (415) 864-3330 Fax: (415) 626-1729 Mail: Opera Box Office San Francisco Opera 301 Van Ness Avenue San Francisco, CA 94102-4509
Comments and Suggestions To ensure that you have the best possible experience in the upcoming season, please feel free to contact us with any comments or suggestions. Mail: Marketing Department San Francisco Opera 301 Van Ness Avenue San Francisco, CA 94102-4509 Email: subscriptions@sfopera.com Connect: Follow us on
sfopera.com/blog
DAVID GOCKLEY
NICOLA LUISOTTI
General Director
Music Director
COMPANY SPONSORS Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation John A. and Cynthia Fry Gunn Franklin and Catherine Johnson Mrs. Edmund W. Littlefield Bernard and Barbro Osher Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem
Photos: Cover/Cesar Rubio; War Memorial Opera House interior shots/David Wakely; Page 1, Nicola Luisotti/Terrence McCarthy
SEASON CORPORATE SPONSOR PARTNERS
San Francisco Opera is sponsored, in part, by a grant from Grants for the Arts/San Francisco Hotel Tax Fund.