Chorus of San Francisco Opera

Chorus of San Francisco Opera
Name	Chorus of San Francisco Opera
Origin	San Francisco, California
Genre	Opera
Years active	1923–present
Associated acts	San Francisco Opera, San Francisco Symphony, San Francisco Ballet

Chorus of San Francisco Opera The Chorus of San Francisco Opera is the principal choral ensemble of the San Francisco Opera and the San Francisco Bay Area. Founded in the early 20th century, the ensemble has performed in productions at the War Memorial Opera House, collaborated with the San Francisco Symphony, and participated in tours and recordings with institutions such as the Los Angeles Opera, Metropolitan Opera, and Royal Opera House. The chorus has worked under the batons of conductors including Edo de Waart, Donald Runnicles, Valery Gergiev, James Levine, and Gianandrea Noseda.

History

The chorus traces its origins to community singing traditions linked to the founding of the San Francisco Opera by Gaetano Merola and the tenure of Vladimir Rosing, with significant development during the eras of music directors Boris Goldovsky and Terence McEwen. In the mid-20th century the ensemble performed in landmark productions featuring soloists such as Maria Callas, Leontyne Price, Renata Tebaldi, Plácido Domingo, and Luciano Pavarotti. Under general directors including Frank Gehry? — note: administrative leaders such as David Gockley and Patrick Granoff influenced repertoire choices — the chorus expanded its scope to include collaborations with companies like Teatro alla Scala and festivals such as the Salzburg Festival and Glyndebourne Festival Opera. The ensemble has participated in premieres and commissions by composers like John Adams, Philip Glass, Giacomo Puccini revivals, and contemporary works by Osvaldo Golijov and Kaija Saariaho.

Organization and Leadership

The chorus operates within the administrative structure of the San Francisco Opera under the oversight of general directors and artistic administrators, with a dedicated chorus master who manages auditions, rehearsals, and preparation. Past chorus masters and directors have included figures who worked alongside conductors such as Esa-Pekka Salonen, Seiji Ozawa, Riccardo Muti, Zubin Mehta, and Pierre Boulez. The ensemble draws singers from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Curtis Institute of Music, Juilliard School, New England Conservatory, and local conservatories and universities like San Francisco State University and University of California, Berkeley. Administrative collaboration has occurred with organizations including the American Guild of Musical Artists, Opera America, League of American Orchestras, and philanthropic supporters like the Graham Foundation.

Repertoire and Performances

The chorus performs a wide operatic repertoire spanning works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Giuseppe Verdi, Richard Wagner, Giacomo Puccini, Georges Bizet, Richard Strauss, and Benjamin Britten. Notable productions have included Verdi's Aida, Wagner's Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, Mozart's Don Giovanni, Puccini's Turandot, Bizet's Carmen, Strauss's Der Rosenkavalier, Britten's Billy Budd, and premieres of John Adams's Nixon in China and Philip Glass's Satyagraha. The chorus has appeared in concert settings with Leonard Bernstein repertoire, sung masses such as Mozart's Requiem and Verdi's Requiem, and joined staged collaborations with the San Francisco Ballet and concert tours to venues like Carnegie Hall, Royal Albert Hall, and the Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Training and Education Programs

The chorus supports educational initiatives linked to institutions including the San Francisco Opera Center, Merola Opera Program, Adler Fellows, and partnerships with the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and University of California, San Francisco for outreach. Training programs provide coaching in languages and styles from specialists in Italian opera repertoire coaches, German Lied accompanists, and recitative practice with répétiteurs connected to houses like La Scala and the Metropolitan Opera House. Workshops and masterclasses have been led by artists such as Dolora Zajick, Neal Goren, Mikhail Mordvinov, and staging coaches influenced by directors like Franco Zeffirelli, Robert Wilson, and Peter Sellars.

Recordings and Media

Recordings featuring the chorus appear on commercial labels and archival releases alongside ensembles including the San Francisco Symphony and guest soloists such as Sondra Radvanovsky, Joyce DiDonato, and Bryn Terfel. The ensemble has contributed to recordings of full operas, concert works, and televised broadcasts on platforms comparable to PBS, radio broadcasts with NPR, and streaming releases with partners akin to Medici.tv and OperaVision. Collaborations have included video productions directed by Kenneth Branagh-style theatrical directors and filmed in iconic venues like the War Memorial Opera House and international houses such as Teatro Colón.

Awards and Recognition

The chorus and its associated productions have been part of award-winning recordings and performances honored by organizations including the Grammy Awards, Laurence Olivier Awards, Opera News accolades, and regional recognitions from the San Francisco Arts Commission. Productions featuring the chorus have received nominations and awards for Best Opera Recording, Best Engineered Album, and ensemble performance citations from bodies like the Recording Academy and critics' circles including the Los Angeles Times and The New York Times.

Community Engagement and Outreach

The chorus engages in community programs with partners such as the San Francisco Opera Guild, San Francisco Public Library, San Francisco Unified School District, Creative Connections-style initiatives, and collaborations with nonprofits like Project Open Hand and Make-A-Wish Foundation chapters. Outreach includes free concerts at civic venues like Civic Center Plaza, educational workshops in schools, joint programs with the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra, and benefit performances for cultural institutions such as the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and Asian Art Museum.

Category:Choirs in California Category:San Francisco Opera