By Giuseppe Verdi June 7 – July 2, 2020 In 16th - century Spain, Ernani is a deposed nobleman living on the run as a bandit. When two powerful men seek to make a prize of his lover, Ernani hatches a plot to rescue her — and free the country in the process. But in a world where tradition and loyalty rule, can an outlawed love win? Conductor: Giuseppe Patanè September 1968 Act 3 finale: San Francisco Opera Chorus “Ernani...

By George Frideric Handel June 12 – 27, 2020 Complete with an elegant heroine, misbehaving men, pure romance, and good old-fashioned cross-dressing, Partenope is a romantic comedy about what happens when the battle of the sexes stops being conventional and starts getting surreal. Conductor: Julian Wachner October 2014 Act 2 sinfonia: San Francisco OperaOrchestra “Care mura”: Danielle de Niese Act 1 sinfonia: San Francisco...

Music by Mason Bates / Libretto by Mark Campbell June 20 – July 3, 2020 Commissioned by San Francisco Opera, the Santa Fe Opera and Seattle Opera with support from Cal Performances and co-produced with Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. With “one device,” Steve Jobs indisputably changed our world. Yet as he tried to make the world more connected, he struggled to truly connect with the people in his own life — his friends,...

By Engelbert Humperdinck November 15 – December 7, 2019 Enter a magical forest where the trees are older than time, fairies lurk in the shadows, and a house of candy sits alone amidst the trees. Experience this cherished musical fairy tale in a charming new co-production with London’s Royal Opera. Conductor: Nicholas McGegan November 2002 “Dancing Song”: Catrin Wyn-Davies, Sara Fulgoni “Dream Pantomime”: Catrin...

By Giacomo Puccini November 8 – 26, 2019 Manon Lescaut brings Italian passion to the tale of a young woman’s conflicted search for satisfaction. Too easily seduced by luxury, Manon leaves her true love for a wealthy older man only to realize her childish mistake...but it may be too late. Conductor: Reynald Giovaninetti September 1974 Act 3 finale: Leontyne Price, Giorgio Merighi, James Courtney, San Francisco Opera Chorus ...

By Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart October 11 – November 1, 2019 The Marriage of Figaro has been called a perfect opera — an irresistible mix of comedy and drama that delivers insight into the heart and soul of everyday life through a sublime score and compelling characters. Conductor: Patrick Summers June 2015 Overture: San Francisco Opera Orchestra “Se vuol ballare signor contino”: Philippe Sly “Dove sono i bei momenti”:...

By Benjamin Britten September 7 – 22, 2019 When young Billy is pressed into naval service aboard the H.M.S. Indomitable, the recruit’s youth and innocence arouse devotion from the crew, but the commanding officer’s suspicions and dark desires threaten to throw order into chaos. Conductor: David Atherton September 1978 “This is our moment”: San Francisco Opera Chorus “Billy Budd, king of the birds”: Dale Duesing “O...

By Charles Gounod September 6 - October 1, 2019 Despite the senseless, bloody conflict between their warring families, two young lovers from opposite sides of the tracks commit to each other in life and death. Conductor: Michel Plasson November 1987 Beginning of Act 4 “Va! Je t’ai pardonné!”: Ruth Ann Swenson, Alfredo Kraus “Ah! Je veux vivre”: Ruth Ann Swenson “Madrigal”: Ruth Ann Swenson, Alfredo Kraus ...

Overture: The Marriage of Figaro by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Conductor: Patrick Summers June 2015