eMBr aCe The SPlendor oF
2014–15 SeaSon
norMa
SuSannah
a A MaSked mAske
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Cinderella
la
BohĂˆMe
The the
Troja tRojA
BALL
PARtenoPe
tosCA
nARy
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woRLD PRemIeRe
two women (LA CIoCIARA)
mARRIAge of fIgARo the
2 sfopera.com/norma
NEW PRODUCTION
NORMA VINCENZO BELLINI
Heartbreaking betrayal threatens to destroy the lives of the innocent and guilty alike in Bellini’s bel canto treasure. A Druid high priestess betrays her people by falling in love with an occupying Roman soldier. When he abandons her for another, her volatile mix of anger and guilt brings both sides to the brink of war. In one of opera’s most dazzling and demanding roles, Sondra Radvanovsky “earned a thunderous ovation…her top notes ringing and powerful, her middle range velvety, her coloratura nimble and phrasing elegant” (The New York Times), when she debuted as Norma at the Metropolitan Opera this past fall. Kevin Newbury, praised by Opera News for his thoughtfulness and eye for detail, stages this exciting new production. Music Director Nicola Luisotti, acclaimed for his “passionate conducting” (San Francisco Examiner), is at the podium.
SE P 5 8pm 10 7:30pm 14 2pm 19 7:30pm 23 7:30pm 27 7:30pm 3 0 7:30pm CAST
PRODUCTION
Norma: Sondra Radvanovsky
Conductor: Nicola Luisotti Director: Kevin Newbury Set Designer: David Korins Costume Designer: Jessica Jahn* Lighting Designer: D. M. Wood*
Adalgisa: Daveda Karanas Pollione: Marco Berti Oroveso: Christian Van Horn Approx. 2 hours, 50 minutes including one intermission Co-production with Canadian Opera Company, Gran Teatre del Liceu and Lyric Opera of Chicago Sung in Italian with English supertitles
Chorus Director: Ian Robertson *San Francisco Opera debut OperaVision in Balcony. See page 14.
Company Sponsors John A. and Cynthia Fry Gunn are proud to support this production. This production is made possible, in part, by Opening Weekend Grand Sponsor Diane B. Wilsey, Thomas and Barbara Wolfe, Koret Foundation and Tad and Dianne Taube. Major support for this production also provided by the Great Interpreters of Italian Opera Fund established by Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem. Nicola Luisotti’s appearance made possible by Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem, Chairs, Amici di Nicola of Camerata. Ms. Radvanovsky’s and Mr. Berti’s appearances are made possible by a gift to the Great Singers Fund by Joan and David Traitel.
sfopera.com/susannah 3
NEW PRODUCTION
SUSANNAH C ARLISLE FLOY D
A beautiful young woman provokes both sexual desire and sanctimonious scorn in Carlisle Floyd’s intense, accessible American masterpiece. In the backwoods of Tennessee, a beautiful young woman is accused of indecent behavior after she is discovered bathing naked in a stream. Will the charismatic traveling preacher who sets his sights on her soul be her salvation, or her downfall? Carlisle Floyd’s all-American score, which beautifully evokes the work’s rural Appalachian setting, “is unabashedly neo-Romantic” (The New York Times). The radiant Patricia Racette sings the title role, with Brandon Jovanovich as her brother and Raymond Aceto as the hell-raising itinerant preacher. Conductor Karen Kamensek makes her San Francisco Opera debut in this eagerly awaited Company premiere directed by Michael Cavanagh (Nixon in China, 2012).
SE P 6 7:30pm 9 7:30pm 12 7:30pm
16 7:30pm 21 2pm
CAST
PRODUCTION
Susannah Polk: Patricia Racette
Conductor: Karen Kamensek*
Sam Polk: Brandon Jovanovich
Director: Michael Cavanagh
Reverend Olin Blitch: Raymond Aceto
Set Designer: Erhard Rom
Little Bat McLean: James Kryshak*
Costume Designer: Michael Yeargan
Approx. 2 hours including one intermission San Francisco Opera production Costumes part of a co-production of the Lyric Opera of Chicago and Houston Grand Opera Sung in English with English supertitles
Lighting Designer: Gary Marder Chorus Director: Ian Robertson *San Francisco Opera debut OperaVision in Balcony. See page 14.
This production is made possible, in part, by Leslie and George Hume and The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Ms. Racette’s appearance is made possible by a gift to the Great Singers Fund by Joan and David Traitel.
4 sfopera.com/maskedball
SAN FR ANCISCO OPER A PRODUCTION
A
MASKED BALL GIUSEPPE VERDI
An edge-of-your-seat thriller of political intrigue and forbidden passion. A Swedish King laughs off a fortune-teller’s warning of a plot against his life. But when his closest aide discovers the monarch is having an affair with his wife, the threat of assassination becomes real. This tuneful Verdi masterpiece, “one of the composer’s most hot-blooded and vividly crafted tales” (San Francisco Chronicle), returns with an outstanding cast led by the splendidly lyrical Ramón Vargas (Mephistopheles, 2013) and the riveting Dolora Zajick (Aida, 2010). Amelia, the troubled king’s beloved, will be portrayed by two sopranos making their San Francisco Opera debuts: the ravishing Krassimira Stoyanova and the intensely passionate Julianna Di Giacomo. Sharing the role of Amelia’s furious husband will be two masterful baritones, Thomas Hampson (Heart of a Soldier, 2011) and Brian Mulligan (Nixon in China, 2012). Music Director Nicola Luisotti conducts.
O C T 4 7:30pm 7 7:30pm˚ 10 7:30pm
13 7:30pm
16 7:30pm
19 2pm
22 7:30pm˚ †
CAST
PRODUCTION
Amelia: Krassimira Stoyanova* / Julianna Di Giacomo* †
Conductor: Nicola Luisotti
Oscar: Heidi Stober
Director: Jose Maria Condemi
Gustavus III: Ramón Vargas
Costume Designer: John Conklin
Count Anckarström: Thomas Hampson / Brian Mulligan°
Lighting Designer: Gary Marder
Madame Arvidson: Dolora Zajick
Chorus Director: Ian Robertson
Count Ribbing: Scott Conner* Count Horn: Christian Van Horn *San Francisco Opera debut °/† Alternate cast
Approx. 3 hours including one intermission San Francisco Opera production Sung in Italian with English supertitles OperaVision in Balcony. See page 14.
This production is made possible, in part, by The Bernard Osher Endowment Fund and The Thomas Tilson Production Fund. Nicola Luisotti’s appearance made possible by Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem, Chairs, Amici di Nicola of Camerata. Ms. Stoyanova’s, Mr. Vargas’, Mr. Hampson’s and Ms. Zajick’s appearances are made possible by a gift to the Great Singers Fund by Joan and David Traitel.
sfopera.com/partenope 5
CO M PA N Y P R E M I E R E
PARTENOPE GEORGE FRIDERIC HANDEL
Six colorful characters learn bittersweet lessons about love and war in Handel’s Baroque comedy. Disguises and cross-dressing reveal deep truths about the human heart in one of Handel’s greatest scores—a brilliantly entertaining comedy about Queen Partenope of Naples and her three royal suitors. In his Olivier Award-winning production, director Christopher Alden moves the action to 1920s Paris and the results are never less than riveting. Christian Curnyn, a Baroque music specialist praised for his “crisp, fluent conducting” (Financial Times, London), leads a superb cast featuring Danielle de Niese, praised with “a voice seductive enough to woo gods as well as mortals” (The New York Times); David Daniels (Xerxes, 2011), who “has a dramatic flair especially well-suited to Handel’s bursts of vengeance or frenzy” (The New York Times); and Daniela Mack, “a purringly elegant BMW of a singer” (Daily Telegraph, London).
O C T 15 7:30pm 18 7:30pm 21 7:30pm 24 7:30pm
3 0 7:30pm
• N OV 2 2pm
CAST
PRODUCTION
Partenope: Danielle de Niese
Conductor: Christian Curnyn*
Rosmira: Daniela Mack
Director: Christopher Alden
Arsace: David Daniels
Set Designer: Andrew Lieberman*
Emilio: Alek Shrader
Costume Designer: Jon Morrell*
Armindo: Anthony Roth Costanzo*
Lighting Designer: Adam Silverman
Ormonte: Philippe Sly *San Francisco Opera debut OperaVision in Balcony. See page 14.
Approx. 3 hours, 30 minutes including two intermissions Production originally created by English National Opera and Opera Australia Sung in Italian with English supertitles
This production is made possible, in part, by The Bernard Osher Endowment Fund. Ms. de Niese’s and Mr. Daniels’ appearances are made possible by a gift to the Great Singers Fund by Joan and David Traitel.
6 sfopera.com/tosca
SAN FR ANCISCO OPER A PRODUCTION
TOSC A
GIACOMO PUCCINI This tale of passion, corruption and betrayal is back by popular demand! In this sexually charged thriller, a sinister police chief sets his sights on a glamorous singer, engaging in a deadly test of wills. At stake is the life of her lover, a politically rebellious painter, and their dreams for the future. Lianna Haroutounian makes her Company debut as the tempestuous diva, calling forth her “ever-increasing vocal powers until you thought her heart, or yours, would burst” (The Observer, London). Conductor Riccardo Frizza takes the podium with Brian Jagde as “an uncommonly ardent Cavaradossi” (Chicago Tribune) and Mark Delavan, whose portrayal of the evil Scarpia is “a convincingly staged crescendo of terror” (Opera News).
O C T 23 7:30pm 26 2pm • N OV 1 7:30pm
4 7:30pm
8 7:30pm
CAST
PRODUCTION
Floria Tosca: Lianna Haroutounian*
Conductor: Riccardo Frizza
Mario Cavaradossi: Brian Jagde
Director: Jose Maria Condemi
Baron Scarpia: Mark Delavan
Production Designer: Thierry Bosquet
Approx. 2 hours, 30 minutes including two intermissions San Francisco Opera production Sung in Italian with English supertitles
Lighting Designer: Gary Marder Chorus Director: Ian Robertson *San Francisco Opera debut OperaVision in Balcony. See page 14.
This production is made possible, in part, by the Burgess and Elizabeth Jamieson Fund. Riccardo Frizza’s appearance made possible by Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem, Chairs, Amici di Nicola of Camerata.
sfopera.com/cinderella 7
SAN FR ANCISCO OPER A PRODUCTION
CINDERELL A GIOACHINO ROSSINI
A courageous servant girl outsmarts her stepsisters to win the hand of a prince in this delightful retelling of the classic fairy tale. Thanks to her open heart and determination, Cinderella triumphs over her mean-spirited relatives in Rossini’s sparkling version of the story. Karine Deshayes, lauded for her “emotional depth and vibrant, beautiful sound” (The New York Times), makes her San Francisco Opera debut in the beloved fairy tale about a gentle young woman who catches the eye of a handsome prince. In San Francisco Opera’s charming and heartwarming production, esteemed Spanish conductor Jesús López-Cobos leads a dazzling cast. The elegant and exciting René Barbera debuts as the prince, the warm-voiced Italian baritone Fabio Capitanucci returns as the prince’s valet and Spanish baritone Carlos Chausson debuts in the colorful role of Cinderella’s manipulative stepfather.
N OV 9 2pm
13 7:30pm 16 2pm
18 7:30pm 21 7:30pm
26 7:30pm
CAST
PRODUCTION
Angelina (Cinderella): Karine Deshayes*
Conductor: Jesús López-Cobos
Don Ramiro: René Barbera*
Director: Gregory Fortner*
Dandini: Fabio Capitanucci
Production: Jean-Pierre Ponnelle
Don Magnifico: Carlos Chausson*
Lighting Designer: Gary Marder
Alidoro: Christian Van Horn
Chorus Director: Ian Robertson
Exploration Workshops for Families will be presented by the San Francisco Opera Education Department prior to select performances. Sign up for E-Opera (monthly e-newsletter) at sfopera.com/eopera to receive updates.
*San Francisco Opera debut OperaVision in Balcony. See page 14.
This production is made possible, in part, by Chevron.
Approx. 2 hours, 50 minutes including one intermission San Francisco Opera production Sung in Italian with English supertitles
8 sfopera.com/boheme
NEW PRODUCTION
LA
BOHÈME GIACOMO PUCCINI
When an aspiring poet falls in love with a fragile seamstress, their intense passion is only matched by their youthful idealism. Can their tender relationship survive the cruelties of life? John Caird, the director of two of the biggest stage hits of recent years, Les Misérables and Nicholas Nickleby, brings his unique touch to this new production of Puccini’s beloved opera. Resident Conductor Giuseppe Finzi leads two exquisite casts. One is headed by the “warm, luminous tone” (The Classical Review) of soprano Alexia Voulgaridou in her Company debut, the intensely expressive Michael Fabiano and the delightful Nadine Sierra. The other features Leah Crocetto, “a major operatic star” (San Francisco Chronicle), the mesmerizing Giorgio Berrugi and the beguiling Ellie Dehn.
CAST
CAST
Mimì: Alexia Voulgaridou*
Mimì: Leah Crocetto
Musetta: Nadine Sierra
Musetta: Ellie Dehn
Rodolfo: Michael Fabiano
Rodolfo: Giorgio Berrugi *
Marcello: Alexey Markov*
Marcello: Brian Mulligan
Schaunard: Hadleigh Adams
Schaunard: Hadleigh Adams
Colline: Christian Van Horn
Colline: Christian Van Horn
N OV 14 7:30pm 19 7:30pm 22 7:30pm 25 7:30pm 29 7:30pm D EC 2 7:30pm 5 7:30pm
N OV 15 7:30pm 20 7:30pm 23 2pm 3 0 2pm D EC 3 7:30pm 7 2pm
sfopera.com/bohemefamilies 9
A poignant tale of love among the starving artists and poets of 19th-century Paris is brought to vivid life in a brilliant new production.
PRODUCTION
*San Francisco Opera debut OperaVision in Balcony. See page 14.
Conductor: Giuseppe Finzi Director: John Caird* Production Designer: David Farley* Lighting Designer: Michael James Clark
Approx. 2 hours, 20 minutes including one intermission Co-production with Houston Grand Opera and Canadian Opera Company Sung in Italian with English supertitles
Chorus Director: Ian Robertson
Company Sponsors John A. and Cynthia Fry Gunn are proud to support this production. This production is made possible, in part, by the Burgess and Elizabeth Jamieson Fund and San Francisco Opera Guild. Giuseppe Finzi’s appearance made possible by Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem, Chairs, Amici di Nicola of Camerata.
LA
BOHÈME FOR FAMILIES N OV 22 12pm
29 1pm
Families and new operagoers of all ages
SECTION
ADULT
CHILD**
will enjoy these specially priced matinees,
Box
$100
$50
Orchestra or Grand Tier Premium
$70
$35
Orchestra or Grand Tier
$50
$25
Dress Circle
$40
$20
Balcony
$30
sung in Italian with English supertitles. Recommended for ages 7 and older.
$15 ** 18 and under
Approx. 2 hours including one intermission Exploration Workshops for Families will be presented by the San Francisco Opera Education Department prior to each performance. Sign up for E-Opera (monthly e-newsletter) at sfopera.com/eopera to receive updates.
10
NEW PRODUCTION
THE TROJANS HEC TOR BERLIOZ Berlioz’s visionary epic takes audiences from the fall of Troy to the dawn of a new empire. One of the largest, most magnificent pieces in the operatic repertory, this rarely staged work is presented here for the first time in 47 years, the way it was originally meant to be seen: both operas in one spectacular evening! The tragic fall of Troy, the passionate love of two great leaders, the urgent pull of destiny; all unfold as part of Berlioz’s visionary masterpiece—French grand opera’s answer to Wagner’s Ring. Former Music Director Donald Runnicles, who masterfully conducted the Ring cycle in 2011, returns to lead this intensely lyrical, colorfully orchestrated, viscerally exciting score. David McVicar’s visually striking new production, “a major event” (The Guardian, London), moves the action to the mid-19th century. The worldclass cast stars—as the ill-fated lovers Dido and Aeneas—the “vocally sumptuous and alluring” Susan Graham and Bryan Hymel, who gives “an impassioned and confident performance of a heroic role” (The New York Times). Anna Caterina Antonacci and Daveda Karanas share the dramatic role of the prophetess Cassandra.
sfopera.com/trojans 11
T WO OPER AS IN ONE GRE AT E VENT Par t I: T he Fall of Troy Par t II: T he Trojan s at C ar t hag e SU M M E R 2015: J U N 7 1pm 12 6pm† 16 6pm 20 6pm† 25 6pm
CAST Cassandra: Anna Caterina Antonacci / Daveda Karanas Dido: Susan Graham Aeneas: Bryan Hymel* Anna: Sasha Cooke Narbal: Christian Van Horn Chorebus: Brian Mulligan *San Francisco Opera debut † Alternate cast OperaVision in Balcony. See page 14.
• J U L 1 6pm†
PRODUCTION †
Conductor: Donald Runnicles Production: David McVicar Set Designer: Es Devlin* Costume Designer: Moritz Junge* Lighting Designer: Wolfgang Göbbel Chorus Director: Ian Robertson Please note early curtains: 6pm eve and 1pm mat Approx. 5 hours, 30 minutes including two intermissions Co-production with Royal Opera House, Covent Garden; Teatro alla Scala, Milan and Wiener Staatsoper, Vienna Sung in French with English supertitles
Company Sponsors John A. and Cynthia Fry Gunn are proud to support this production. This production is made possible, in part, by The Goatie Foundation, the Edmund W. and Jeannik Méquet Littlefield Fund, Koret Foundation and Tad and Dianne Taube. Additional support is provided by the Columbia Foundation and by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts. Ms. Graham’s and Ms. Antonacci’s appearances are made possible by a gift to the Great Singers Fund by Joan and David Traitel.
12 sfopera.com/twowomen
WORLD PREMIERE
T WO WOMEN (L A CIOCIAR A )
Music by M A R C O T U T I N O M A R CO T U T I N O and FA B I O C E R E S A Adapted from a script by L U C A R O S S I
Libretto by
Bas e d on t he novel La Ciociara by ALBERTO MOR AVIA By ar r angement wit h S TUDIO LEGALE C AU MOR ANDI MINUTILLO TURTUR Commis sione d by SAN FR ANCISCO OPER A
The cruelty of war, the loss of innocence and a mother’s intense love for her daughter make for moving drama in this world premiere. As the Allies invade Italy toward the end of World War II, a strong-willed widow and her 16-year-old daughter flee Rome for the nearby mountains in a vain attempt to find safety—a tale based on a novel that was adapted into a classic movie starring Sophia Loren. Music Director Nicola Luisotti conducts the lushly expressive score by Italian composer Marco Tutino, whose work is “a joyful discovery” (San Francisco Classical Voice). Francesca Zambello directs an outstanding cast led by the “extraordinary” Anna Caterina Antonacci, known for “her intelligent and charismatic artistry” (The New York Times).
SU M M E R 2015: J U N 13 7:30pm 19 7:30pm
23 7:30pm 28 2pm
3 0 7:30pm
CAST
PRODUCTION
Cesira: Anna Caterina Antonacci
Conductor: Nicola Luisotti
Rosetta: Sarah Shafer
Director: Francesca Zambello
Michele: Stephen Costello
Set Designer: Peter Davison
Giovanni: Mark Delavan
Costume Designer: Jess Goldstein
OperaVision in Balcony. See page 14. Approx. 3 hours including one intermission Co-production with Teatro Regio di Torino Sung in Italian with English supertitles
Lighting Designer: Mark McCullough Projection Designer: S. Katy Tucker Chorus Director: Ian Robertson
Company Sponsors John A. and Cynthia Fry Gunn are proud to support the commission of Two Women. The world premiere is made possible, in part, by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Nicola Luisotti’s appearance made possible by Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem, Chairs, Amici di Nicola of Camerata. Ms. Antonacci’s appearance is made possible by a gift to the Great Singers Fund by Joan and David Traitel.
sfopera.com/figaro 13
SAN FR ANCISCO OPER A PRODUCTION
THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZ ART This delightful and heartfelt comedy is a warm and wise study of love, power and forgiveness. One of Mozart’s most graceful creations is this witty comedy in which a countess and her servant join forces to punish her aristocrat husband for his philandering, teaching two very different couples humbling lessons about life and love. The cast is led by Philippe Sly as Figaro, a “gifted and accomplished” singer who has “the ability to combine virility and tenderness in a single phrase” (San Francisco Chronicle) with Luca Pisaroni as the lecherous Count, the charismatic Nadine Sierra as his Countess and Lisette Oropesa as Figaro’s saucy love Susanna. Principal Guest Conductor Patrick Summers, whose Figaro was celebrated for its “dramatic pace, musical discernment and unfailing good taste” (Sydney Morning Herald ), conducts.
SU M M E R 2015: J U N 14 2pm 18 7:30pm 21 2pm 24 7:30pm 27 7:30pm 29 7:30pm† • J U L 3 7:30pm† 5 2pm† CAST
PRODUCTION
Figaro: Philippe Sly
Conductor: Patrick Summers
Susanna: Lisette Oropesa
Director: Robin Guarino *
Countess Almaviva: Nadine Sierra
Lighting Designer: Gary Marder
Cherubino: Kate Lindsey / Angela Brower †
Chorus Director: Ian Robertson
Count Almaviva: Luca Pisaroni Don Bartolo: John Del Carlo Marcellina: Catherine Cook Don Basilio: Greg Fedderly *San Francisco Opera debut † Alternate cast
OperaVision in Balcony. See page 14. Approx. 3 hours, 40 minutes including two intermissions San Francisco Opera production Sung in Italian with English supertitles
14
ENRICH
YOUR
E XPERIENCE
E N G L I SH SU PE R T I T L E S All of our operas are performed with English supertitles projected on a screen above the stage, visible from all seating sections.
OPER AVISION IN THE BALCONY Select performances ( symbol) feature HD video screens on the Balcony level, with supertitles shown at the bottom of the screen, bringing Balcony Front, Balcony Rear and Balcony Side audiences closer to the action on stage. Prices include a per-ticket surcharge; see page 18. OperaVision is made possible by the Koret-Taube Media Suite.
Our monthly e-newsletter keeps you informed of all the latest events, news and behind-the-scenes information. Sign up today at sfopera.com/eopera.
SFO PE R A .CO M Visit our website to read plot synopses and program notes, listen to audio clips and watch current production videos available prior to each opera’s opening performance.
N E W TO O PE R A? Explore our user-friendly introduction to opera and the answers to frequently asked questions online. sfopera.com/newtoopera
FR E E PR E - O PE R A TA L K S Before every performance (except Opening Night, September 5, 2014), music scholars present a 25-minute overview of the opera, with insights on the music, composer and historical background. Talks begin 55 minutes before curtain. Free to ticket-holders. sfopera.com/operatalks
ATTENDING THE OPERA
I NS I G H T PA N E L S Renowned artists and personalities from the world of opera, share behind-the-scenes insights and experiences during informal panel discussions. sfopera.com/insights
O PE R A PR E V I E WS Opera Guild Preview Lectures bring musicologists and other experts who offer fresh, in-depth looks into the season’s upcoming operas to communities around the Bay Area. sfopera.com/previews
E D U C AT I O N PRO G R A MS San Francisco Opera and the Opera Guild provide programs for K–12 classrooms and educators. The Opera also provides programs for university classes, adults and families. sfopera.com/education Overture: Opera Workshops for Adults are interactive workshops exploring how operas are created. sfopera.com/overture
CO N N EC T W I T H US sfopera.com/blog
E - O PE R A
G E T T I N G TO T H E O PE R A H O USE The War Memorial Opera House is located at 301 Van Ness Avenue at Grove Street, in San Francisco’s Civic Center across from City Hall. It is easily accessible by public transportation, car and taxi.
BY C A R Visit maps.google.com for detailed driving directions using 301 Van Ness Avenue as the destination. For Bay Area traffic conditions, visit 511.org. Parking is available in several lots in the surrounding area, including Civic Center Garage (1), Performing Arts Garage (2) and Opera Plaza (3).
BY TA X I Patrons may request a cab with the usher at the Grove Street entrance before the end of the final intermission. Requests are not a guarantee of service. Taxi service is based on availability of licensed taxis. PARKING LOTS
15
WAYS
TO
SAVE
Savings up to 30%, Customize Your Season, No-Fee Exchanges and More!
PI C K A SE R I E S, M A K E I T PE R FEC T • Save up to 30% off single ticket prices. Our 4-opera Half Series packages start at $100 and our 8-opera packages start at $219. • Customize. At the time of purchase you have the option for early ticket exchanges. For even more flexibility, you can drop-one-opera from your package —you choose the opera, we adjust the price.† • No-fee exchanges. No-fee, advance exchanges for Full and Half Series subscribers and just $10 per ticket for day-of exchanges.
D E S I G N YO U R OW N SE R I E S • Start from scratch and build your own series by choosing the operas you want to see, when you want to see them. • Select 3 operas and save up to 10% • Add a fourth and save up to 15% • Make it 5 or more and save up to 20% • No-fee exchanges for the same opera; exchange into a different opera or make day-ofperformance exchanges, for a $10 per-ticket fee. Visit sfopera.com/dyo for more information.
To see all subscription series options and benefits, visit sfopera.com/subcriptions. Call (415) 864-3330 to set up a payment plan or discuss available seating.
B R AVO! C LU B F O R O P E R A - LOV E R S AG E S 21 – 4 0
B R I N G A G RO U P A N D SAV E U P TO 3 0 %*
Join BRAVO! CLUB and be eligible for discounted tickets* and other benefits:
G R O U P S O F 10 O R M O R E E N J OY B E N E FI T S I N C LU D I N G:
• BRAVO! Tickets at $37 Dress Circle and $52 Orchestra seats.**
• Discounts up to 30%; plus one free ticket for groups of 40+
• Enjoy free social and educational events with other opera-lovers.**
• Seating benefits, including Select Your Own Seat
BRAVO! CLUB is a group of young adults dedicated to building a new audience for San Francisco Opera. A season’s membership is only $60. Restrictions apply. Visit sfopera.com/bravo.
• Opera Shop 10% discount
• Flexible payment options It’s easy to get started. Call (415) 621-4403 or email groupsales@sfopera.com.
† Applies to Full and Half Series only. Please call the Box Office for details. * All discounts subject to availability. ** Except Opening Night, September 5, 2014.
BY P U B L I C T R A N S P O R TAT I O N The Opera House is a short walk from BART (Civic Center station), MUNI trolleys (Civic Center or Van Ness station) and buses (#5 Fulton, #21 Hayes, #47 Van Ness, #49 Van Ness-Mission). For information or alternate routes, visit 511.org.
LO O K C LOSE R W I T H O PE R A G L A SSE S Opera glasses may be rented for $5 at the North lobby coat check. ID deposit is requested.
O PE R A SH O P A wide selection of opera CDs, DVDs, books and gift items are available for purchase at the Opera Shop on the South Mezzanine level or online at shop.sfopera.com.
D I N E AT T H E O PE R A H O USE O R I N T H E N E I G H BO R H O O D The Patina Group serves an elegant hot buffet at Café at the Opera, located in the lower lounge of the Opera House. Service begins two hours before every evening performance Tuesday through Saturday and every Sunday matinee. Reservations are recommended and are available online at opentable.com. Lighter fare is served before performances and during intermissions at Patina’s Café Express and Dress Circle Café. For reservations or to pre-order: (415) 861-8150. Within easy walking distance of the Opera House are a wide variety of restaurants to suit every taste and budget. Advance reservations are highly recommended. Visit sfopera.com/dine for suggested listings.
16
2014–15 CALENDAR SEP 2014 SU N
MON
TUE
1
WED
2
THU
3
FR I
4
5 A
7
8
Opera in the Park
9
1:30pm
Norma
14 M, O
21
15
2pm
Susannah
M, N
Susannah
D, E
22
7:30pm
16
Susannah
A, C
7:30pm
Norma
23
2pm
D, F
Norma
10 R, S, RBW
11
17
G, H
18
24
25
29
6
Susannah
8pm J, K
7:30pm
Susannah
13
7:30pm
19
Norma
G, I
7:30pm
26
7:30pm EREV ROSH HASHANAH
28
12
7:30pm
SAT Norma
20
27
Norma
J, L
7:30pm
ROSH HASHANAH
Norma
30 X
7:30pm
OCT 2014 SU N
MON
TUE
WED
THU
1
FR I
2
SAT 4 Masked Ball
3
J, K EREV YOM KIPPUR
5
7 Masked Ball
6
A, B
13 Masked Ball
12
X
19 Masked Ball M, N
26 W
20
Tosca
14
7:30pm
21 A, C
2pm
27
28
8
10 Masked Ball
9
7:30pm
Partenope 7:30pm
G, H
15
Partenope
D, E
7:30pm
22 Masked Ball D, E
29
2pm
7:30pm
16 Masked Ball R, T
23 F
Tosca
17
24
30
Partenope
R, S, RBW
7:30pm
11
7:30pm
7:30pm
7:30pm G, I
7:30pm YOM KIPPUR
Partenope
18
Partenope
J, L
7:30pm
25
7:30pm
31
OperaVision, HD video screens, are featured on the Balcony level for this performance. Visit sfopera.com/operavision. All evenings at 7:30pm, all matinees at 2pm, except where noted. For the most up-to-date calendar of events, visit sfopera.com/calendar.
Highlighted boxes denote opening performances.
Letters denote subscription series (A, B, C, D, E, F…).
Photos by: cover/War Memorial Opera House interior/David Wakely, Sondra Radvanovsky/Marty Sohl/Metropolitan Opera production of Norma, Terrence McCarthy/ San Francisco Opera production of A Masked Ball; Partenope/©ENO/Catherine Ashmore; inside spread/Patricia Racette/Ken Howard/Metropolitan Opera production of An American Tragedy, Partenope/©ENO/Catherine Ashmore, San Francisco Opera production of Tosca/Cory Weaver, Karine Deshayes/2011©Agathe Poupeney/ Opéra national de Paris production of La Cenerentola, Michael Cooper/Michael Cooper Photographic/Canadian Opera Company production of La Bohème, Les Troyens/ Bill Cooper/Royal Opera House/Arena PAL, Anna Caterina Antonacci/Cory Weaver, Luca Pisaroni and Ellie Dehn/Felix Sanchez/Houston Grand Opera production of The Marriage of Figaro; p. 3/Susannah production set image/Erhard Rom; p. 6/San Francisco Opera production of Tosca/Cory Weaver; p. 7/2011©Christian Lieber/Opéra national de Paris production of La Cenerentola; pp. 8–9/ Michael Cooper/Michael Cooper Photographic/Canadian Opera Company production of La Bohème; pp. 10–11/ Les Troyens/Bill Cooper/Royal Opera House/ArenaPAL; p. 13/San Francisco Opera production of The Marriage of Figaro/Cory Weaver; p. 17/Adler Fellows/Scott Wall; Opera in the Ballpark/Edgar Lee; back cover/mailing panel 1/Les Troyens/Bill Cooper/Royal Opera House/Arena PAL; back cover/mailing panel 2/ Michael Cooper/Michael Cooper Photographic/Canadian Opera Company production of La Bohème. The costumes in Susannah are made possible by a generous gift from Abbott Laboratories to the Lyric Opera of Chicago and from Philip Morris Companies, Inc. to Houston Grand Opera as sponsor to its Opera New World program. Design: Mission Minded · www.Mission-Minded.com
17
d
i
a
nov–dec 2014 Su n
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fr i
SaT 1 K
Partenope
2 M, O
Cinderella
9
3
M, N
2pm
16
Cinderella
W
T
10
17
23
Bohème 2pm
30
Bohème
24
5
6
7
8
7:30pm
11
2pm
M, O
Tosca
4
2pm
12
18
Cinderella 7:30pm
25
Bohème
26
A, C
7:30pm
R, T
Bohème
3
19 R, S, RBW
Bohème 7:30pm
Cinderella
13
Cinderella
D, F
7:30pm
20
Bohème
21
D, E
7:30pm
G, I
27
14 G, H
Bohème
15
Bohème
7:30pm
J, L
7:30pm
22
Bohème
Cinderella 7:30pm
28
W
2pm
B
7:30pm
Bohème
X
4
7:30pm
K
7:30pm Bohème/Fam 12pm
29
Bohème
7:30pm Bohème/Fam 1pm
7:30pm thanksgiving
2
Tosca 7:30pm
A, B
1
Tosca 7:30pm
5 adler Gala Concert I 7:30pm
Bohème
6
7:30pm
Bohème
7 N
2pm
jun–jul 2015 Su n
Mon Trojans
7 M, N
M, O
2pm
21
Figaro
W
Wed
9
Thu
10
12
15
16 A, C
Trojans
17
A, B
18
6pm
R, S, RBW
23 Two Women 24
22
2pm
28 Two Women 29
Figaro
A, C
7:30pm
2pm
SaT Trojans
G, H
7:30pm
Figaro
25
D, F
7:30pm
R, S, RBW
1
Trojans
2
Father’s day
M, O
Fr i
11
1pm
Figaro
14
Tue
8
30 Two Women R, T
7:30pm
D, E
6pm
Figaro 7:30pm
Trojans
7:30pm
19 Two Women 20
Trojans
J, K
6pm
27
Figaro
J, L
7:30pm
7:30pm
26
6pm
Figaro
3 G, H
X
4
7:30pm
pride
5
13 Two Women J, L
G, I
6pm
independence day
Figaro 2pm
T H E F U T U R E I S N OW
adler FelloWS Gal a ConCer T With the San FranciSco opera orcheStra conducted by Stephen Lord
Thursday, December 4, 2014, 7:30pm* Scottish rite Masonic center 2850 19th avenue, San Francisco pricing: $65/$45/$30 $15 Students with valid id, subject to availability sfopera.com/operacenter *note date change as of May 2014.
OPER A IN THE COMMUNIT Y FR E E PE R FO R M A N C E S
KQ E D T V B ROA D C A S T S
FREE SIMULCAST AT AT&T PARK Opera at the Ballpark La Traviata Saturday, July 5, 2014, 8pm sfopera.com/simulcast
Check kqed.org in summer 2014 for select performances from recent seasons.
MEROLA’S SCHWABACHER SUMMER CONCERT Yerba Buena Gardens Saturday, July 19, 2014, 2pm merolaopera.com SAN FRANCISCO OPERA IN THE PARK Sharon Meadow, Golden Gate Park Sunday, September 7, 2014, 1:30pm sfopera.com/park
R A D I O B ROA D C A S T S
PBS FA L L A R T S FE S T I VA L Porgy and Bess (2009) will air on Friday, October 17, 2014. Check your local PBS listings.
M E RO L A O PE R A PRO G R A M MEROLA’S SCHWABACHER SUMMER CONCERT Everett Middle School Auditorium (450 Church Street, San Francisco) Thursday, July 17, 7:30 pm MEROLA SUMMER OPERAS Everett Middle School Auditorium (450 Church Street, San Francisco)
San Francisco Opera performances from recent seasons air the first Sunday of every month on Classical KDFC 90.3/89.9/104.9 FM, kdfc.com and Comcast Cable 981. In the summer and early fall, broadcasts also air on the WFMT Radio Network nationally. sfopera.com/broadcast
A Streetcar Named Desire by André Previn Thursday, July 10, 7:30pm Saturday, July 12, 2pm
GR A N D O PE R A C INEM A SE R IE S
MEROLA GRAND FINALE War Memorial Opera House Saturday, August 16, 7:30pm
Enjoy San Francisco opera performances, recorded in HD, at a movie theater near you! sfopera.com/cinemaseries
Don Giovanni by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Thursday, July 31, 7:30pm Saturday, August 2, 2pm
merolaopera.com
For tickets, call the Opera Box Office at (415) 864-3330.
TO ORDER Tickets go on sale online, by phone and at the Opera Box Office window on Monday, June 30, 2014 at 10am. ONLINE
sfopera.com
By PH O N E
(415) 864-3330
By M A I L O R I N PER SO N opera box office War Memorial opera house 301 Van ness avenue San Francisco, ca 94102-4509 B OX O F FI C E H O U R S Special hours for Monday, June 30 only: 10am–6pm War MeMOriaL Opera hOUse
Monday 10am–5pm tuesday–Friday 10am–6pm also Saturday 10am–6pm during performance season
english supertitles are visible from all sections.
2 0 1 4 –15 SinG l e TiC keT PriC eS †
Main STaGe oPeraS Except The Trojans
M–Th /
SeCTion
*
F–Su /
The Trojans
*
M–Th /
*
F–Su /
*
Box Seats (Box)
$323
$370
$419
$480
orchestra Premium or Grand Tier Premium (orP or GTP)
$248
$296
$322
$384
orchestra or Grand Tier (orC or GT)
$180
$227
$233
$295
orchestra ring (orr)
$104
$128
$135
$166
dress Circle (dC)
$128
$146
$166
$189
dress Circle 2 (dC2)
$104
$146
$135
$189
$135
$159
Balcony Circle (BC)
$104
$123
Balcony Front (BlF)*
$70 / $77*
$96 / $103*
Balcony rear (Blr)*
$35 / $40*
$70 / $75*
$45 / $50*
$91 / $96*
Balcony Side (BlS)* limited availability
$25 / $28*
$30 / $33*
$32 / $35*
$39 / $42*
$91 / $98* $125 / $132*
prices listed are guaranteed through august 1, 2014. Single ticket prices will increase—buy your tickets today! an $11 handling fee is charged per order, unless purchased in person. a $1 per ticket facility fee is included in balcony Front, rear and Side section prices; all other sections include a $2 per ticket facility fee. Subscribers to our 2014–15 Season (including design your own Series) receive an additional discount on single-ticket purchases for most performances.
†
Ticket Exchanges exchange your tickets for another performance, subject to availability, for a fee of $25 per ticket plus any price differential. tickets must be received by the opera box office no later than two hours prior to the performance. no refunds are available. exchange fees are waived or $10 for subscribers. Ticket Donations consider donating your tickets if you can’t attend a performance or exchange them. prior to the performance, simply return them to the opera box office, or call (415) 864-3330. your donation is fully tax-deductible but does not apply toward opera membership benefits.
* tickets for performances featuring operaVision include a surcharge to help offset the cost of this service. (balcony Front $7, balcony rear $5 and balcony Sides $3). Wheelchair access and locations are available for purchase at the box office or online. For information, please call (415) 864-3330.
assistive listening devices (Sennheiser model) for hearing-impaired patrons are available at north and South lobby coat checks. text-to-Voice Supertitles: Live titles, headsets that provide a spoken version of the projected supertitles, are now available at the north Lobby coat check at all performances.
cast, programs, prices and schedules are subject to change.
tickets will be mailed beginning in august 2014.
Standing Room Standing room tickets are available for each mainstage performance starting at $10 each, cash only. tickets go on sale at the opera box office at 10am on the day of each performance. Limit two tickets per person.
Rush Tickets for Student, Senior and Military rush tickets, when offered for evening performances, go on sale online and at the opera box office at 11am on the day of each performance. When offered for matinees, rush tickets are sold in person only at 11am on the day of the performance. Students, $27; senior and military, $32. Limit two tickets per person with valid id. rush is subject to availability and may cease to be offered at the discretion of the box office. in-person registration required in advance for online rush purchases. sfopera.com/rush
Contributions When you contribute you keep this extraordinary art form alive. you also enjoy special behind-thescenes opportunities not available to the general public. ticket prices cover less than half of our production costs, so your tax-deductible donation to San Francisco opera is greatly appreciated. donors are given priority ticket consideration, as available, according to level of support. please call (415) 565-6416 for more information.
all orders are final. no refunds or cancellations.
CoMPanY SPonSorS norby anderson ann and gordon getty Foundation John a. and cynthia Fry gunn Franklin and catherine Johnson edmund W. and Jeannik M茅quet Littlefield Fund steven M. Menzies Bernard and Barbro Osher Jan shrem and Maria Manetti shrem diane B. Wilsey
Music director
NICOLA LUISOTTI
general director
DAVID GOCKLEY
sfopera.com 路 (415) 864-3330
san Francisco, ca 94102-4509
War Memorial Opera house 301 van ness avenue
SeaSon SPonSor
CorPoraTe ParTnerS san Francisco Opera is supported, in part, by a grant from grants for the arts/ san Francisco hotel tax Fund.
DONORS AND SUBSCRIBERS: Call to order before June 30, 2014 for priority seating!
San FranCiSCo oPera
u.S. PoSTaGe Paid
PreSorTed FirST-ClaSS Mail