San Francisco Opera

San Francisco Opera is a renowned American opera company based in San Francisco, California, founded in 1923 by Gaetano Merola. The company has a long history of performing a wide range of operas, from classic works by Giuseppe Verdi and Gioachino Rossini to contemporary pieces by John Adams and Philip Glass. With a strong commitment to showcasing the talents of both established and emerging artists, the company has hosted performances by legendary singers such as Luciano Pavarotti, Plácido Domingo, and Renée Fleming. The company's productions often feature collaborations with other prominent arts organizations, including the San Francisco Symphony and the Ballet San Francisco.

● History

The company's early years were marked by performances at the Civic Auditorium in San Francisco, with Gaetano Merola serving as the first General Director. During this period, the company presented works such as La Bohème by Giacomo Puccini and Carmen by Georges Bizet, featuring singers like Tito Schipa and Lily Pons. In the 1930s, the company began to tour other cities in California, including Los Angeles and San Diego, performing at venues like the Hollywood Bowl and the San Diego Civic Theatre. The company's history is also closely tied to the development of the War Memorial Opera House, which was built in the 1930s and has since become the company's permanent home. The opera house has hosted numerous notable events, including performances by the Bolshoi Ballet and the Royal Ballet, as well as concerts by the San Francisco Symphony and the New York Philharmonic.

● Music Directors

The company has had several notable Music Directors throughout its history, including Kurt Herbert Adler, who served from 1953 to 1981, and Donald Runnicles, who held the position from 1992 to 2009. Other notable music directors have included Nicola Luisotti and Mark Elder, who have worked with the company to present a wide range of operas, from classic works like Don Giovanni by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart to contemporary pieces like Doctor Atomic by John Adams. The company has also collaborated with other prominent conductors, including James Conlon and Patrick Summers, to present works like The Ring of the Nibelung by Richard Wagner and The Magic Flute by Mozart. These collaborations have often featured performances by renowned singers, such as Anna Netrebko and Jonas Kaufmann, and have been praised by critics from publications like the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times.

● Performances and Repertoire

The company presents a diverse range of operas each season, including works by Verdi, Puccini, and Mozart, as well as more contemporary pieces by composers like Philip Glass and Thomas Adès. Recent productions have included La Traviata by Verdi, Madama Butterfly by Puccini, and The Gospel of Mary Magdalene by Mark Adamo. The company has also presented numerous world premieres, including Dead Man Walking by Jake Heggie and The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs by Mason Bates. These productions often feature collaborations with other prominent arts organizations, such as the San Francisco Ballet and the American Conservatory Theater, and have been recognized with awards like the Grammy Award and the Pulitzer Prize. The company's performances have been praised by critics from publications like the San Francisco Chronicle and the Opera News, and have been attended by notable figures like Nancy Pelosi and Dianne Feinstein.

● Venues

The company's primary performance venue is the War Memorial Opera House, which is located in the Civic Center district of San Francisco. The opera house has a seating capacity of over 3,000 and is known for its excellent acoustics and ornate interior design. The company also presents performances at other venues in the San Francisco Bay Area, including the Davies Symphony Hall and the Zellerbach Hall at the University of California, Berkeley. These venues have hosted a wide range of performances, including concerts by the San Francisco Symphony and the Berkeley Symphony Orchestra, as well as productions by the American Conservatory Theater and the Berkeley Repertory Theatre.

● Company and Artists

The company is a member of the Opera America organization and is supported by a variety of donors and sponsors, including the National Endowment for the Arts and the California Arts Council. The company has a strong commitment to education and community outreach, and offers a range of programs and services for students and adults, including the San Francisco Opera Guild and the Opera for All program. The company has also been recognized for its efforts to promote diversity and inclusion, and has partnered with organizations like the San Francisco LGBTQ Community Center and the African American Shakespeare Company to present productions that showcase the talents of underrepresented artists. Notable artists who have performed with the company include Leontyne Price, Beverly Sills, and Andrea Bocelli, as well as emerging artists like Ailyn Pérez and Michael Fabiano. The company's productions have been recognized with numerous awards, including the Grammy Award and the Pulitzer Prize, and have been praised by critics from publications like the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times.

Category:Opera companies in the United States