| San Francisco Opera - San Francisco | 25 April 2024 |
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L'elisir d'amore
Omar
Lohengrin
The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs
Il Trovatore
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Performance reviews
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Il TrovatoreSan Francisco OperaNo. of reviews: 8 | |
Unis par le sang, divisés par la haine |
 13 Dec 23 / Wanderer |
Do let us congratulate San Francisco Opera for assembling a full cast of equally excellent singers |
| 24 Sep 23 / Opera Today |
A rousing, richly dramatic performance of “Il Trovatore” |
| 23 Sep 23 / Opera Warhorses |
more reviews [+]
A compelling cast |
| 22 Sep 23 / OperaWire |
Got to get you into my strife |
| 21 Sep 23 / parterre box |
SF Opera presents a well-sung, well-staged production with a potent cast |
| 21 Sep 23 / SF Gate |
The ladies lead in SF Opera’s Il trovatore |
| 15 Sep 23 / San Francisco Classical Voice |
Returning soprano is a dazzler in S.F. Opera’s opening ‘Trovatore’ |
| 14 Sep 23 / San Francisco Chronicle |
L'elisir d'amoreSan Francisco OperaNo. of reviews: 8 | |
Love potion no. 8 1/2 |
| 7 Dec 23 / parterre box |
Donizetti’s delightful, ‘must see’ “Elixir of Love” starring Pene Pati and Slatka Zamecnikova |
| 2 Dec 23 / Opera Warhorses |
SF Opera’s ‘The Elixir of Love’ presents case for resuscitating problematic ‘classics’ |
| 1 Dec 23 / 48hills |
more reviews [+]
A high-level cast and ‘La Dolce Vita’ setting charm from the get-go in San Francisco Opera’s The Elixir of Love |
| 28 Nov 23 / Seen and Heard |
A pretty picture all around. Correct and tidy. Another gold star on the roster |
| 28 Nov 23 / OperaWire |
L’elisir d’amore meets La dolce vita at SF Opera |
| 22 Nov 23 / San Francisco Classical Voice |
The production’s many pantomime moments made it seem so very Brighton Beach |
| 21 Nov 23 / Opera Today |
S.F. Opera’s ‘Elixir’ is a bundle of comedic charm |
| 21 Nov 23 / San Francisco Chronicle |
OmarSan Francisco OperaNo. of reviews: 10 | |
Unspeakably sad yet somehow uplifting |
| 29 Nov 23 / Oregon Artswatch |
Rhiannon Giddens’s Omar at SFO tugs at the emotions with resonant music and images |
| 19 Nov 23 / Seen and Heard |
Tenor Jamez McCorkle was superbly voiced as Omar |
| 16 Nov 23 / Opera Today |
more reviews [+]
‘Omar’ is pretty to look at, but opera treats slavery with kid gloves |
| 15 Nov 23 / 48hills |
Scholarly pursuits |
| 11 Nov 23 / parterre box |
‘Omar,’ operatic portrait of an enslaved scholar, proves staying power |
| 11 Nov 23 / Classical Voice North America |
Omar ibn Said’s reckoning and reconciliation between the forces of darkness and light |
| 10 Nov 23 / OperaWire |
San Francisco Opera’s extraordinary ‘Omar’ a bold new American work |
| 9 Nov 23 / SF Gate |
Omar triumphs (again) in its San Francisco Opera premiere |
| 8 Nov 23 / San Francisco Classical Voice |
S.F. Opera’s ‘Omar’ offers a vague, unfocused portrait of American slavery and its legacy |
| 7 Nov 23 / San Francisco Chronicle |
LohengrinSan Francisco OperaNo. of reviews: 7 | |
A musically, visually satisfying “Lohengrin” |
| 28 Oct 23 / Opera Warhorses |
Close to radiance |
| 24 Oct 23 / OperaWire |
Eun Sun Kim established firm musical control from the first whispered sounds of the prelude |
| 21 Oct 23 / Opera Today |
more reviews [+]
Swan’s weh |
| 20 Oct 23 / parterre box |
Debuts power a magnificent Lohengrin at SF Opera |
| 18 Oct 23 / San Francisco Classical Voice |
SF Opera and conductor Eun Sun Kim deliver a riveting Lohengrin |
| 17 Oct 23 / Seen and Heard |
Eun Sun Kim makes her mark with S.F. Opera’s musically splendid new ‘Lohengrin’ |
| 17 Oct 23 / San Francisco Chronicle |
associated articles [+]
Simon O’Neill: Heldentenor to the world
Simon O’Neill, a heldentenor who will play the title role in Richard Wagner’s Lohengrin at San Francisco Opera Oct. 15 – Nov. 1, was born and grew up on New Zealand’s South Island.
Simon O’Neill, a heldentenor who will play the title role in Richard Wagner’s Lohengrin at San Francisco Opera Oct. 15 – Nov. 1, was born and grew up on New Zealand’s South Island.
The (R)evolution of Steve JobsSan Francisco OperaNo. of reviews: 12 | |
Aural splendor permeates composer Mason Bates’ revised “(R)evolution of Steve Jobs” |
| 7 Oct 23 / Opera Warhorses |
‘(R)evolution’ revisited: Steve Jobs opera gets a compelling renewa |
| 7 Oct 23 / Classical Voice North America |
The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs, l’Opéra de San Francisco rend hommage à l'inventeur californien |
| 6 Oct 23 / Opera Online (French) |
more reviews [+]
The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs in San Francisco (finally) |
| 6 Oct 23 / Opera Today |
The singing itself was not what made this opera stirring |
| 1 Oct 23 / OperaWire |
Die San Francisco Opera gedenkt Steve Jobs - dem genialen Erfinder und komplexen Menschen aus Kalifornien |
| 1 Oct 23 / Opera Online (German) |
Think different |
| 29 Sep 23 / parterre box |
In the Steve Jobs opera, 'genius' remains inscrutable |
| 27 Sep 23 / KQED |
A dazzling new opera at SFO explores the other side of Steve Jobs |
| 25 Sep 23 / Seen and Heard |
S.F. Opera’s brilliant ‘Jobs’ brings a problematic figure to musical life |
| 24 Sep 23 / San Francisco Chronicle |
John Moore and Sasha Cooke made a dramatic, convincing couple as Steve and Laurene Powell Jobs |
| 24 Sep 23 / The Boston Musical Intelliger |
Powerful ‘Steve Jobs’ makes impressive local debut at SF Opera |
| 24 Sep 23 / Local News Matters |
Madama ButterflySan Francisco OperaNo. of reviews: 7 | |
Madama Butterfly e i ricordi di Dolore |
| 22 Jul 23 / Gli amici della musica |
A “Second Look” Review: Amon Miyamoto’s Insightful Production of “Madama Butterfly” |
| 3 Jul 23 / Opera Warhorses |
Looking for Trouble |
| 29 Jun 23 / parterre box |
more reviews [+]
A fresh Madama Butterfly takes wing at San Francisco Opera |
| 12 Jun 23 / Sydney Arts Guide |
Karah Son, Michael Fabiano lead brilliant cast in Amon Miyamoto’s fascinating production of “Madama Butterfly” |
| 11 Jun 23 / Opera Warhorses |
Conductor Eun Sun Kim, as is her usual want, imposed a huge orchestral presence onto the production |
| 10 Jun 23 / Opera Today |
SF Opera’s Madama Butterfly gets its lift from the singers |
| 7 Jun 23 / San Francisco Classical Voice |
El Ultimo Sueño de Frida y DiegoSan Francisco OperaNo. of reviews: 13 | |
SF Opera’s ‘Frida y Diego’ was a bold step into another world |
| 8 Jul 23 / 48hills |
Daniela Mack shines in a visually stunning production lacking in depth |
| 8 Jul 23 / OperaWire |
San Francisco Opera al War Memorial Opera House sdogana l'opera in spagnolo |
| 3 Jul 23 / Gli amici della musica |
more reviews [+]
The devil’s advocate: Frida and Diego color the San Francisco Opera |
| 30 Jun 23 / El Tecolote |
Visually, El Último Sueño offres a pageantry of shifting colors and shapes |
| 27 Jun 23 / The Berkeley Daily Planet |
The opera’s lavish and inventive production was directed by Mexican director Lorena Maza |
| 25 Jun 23 / Opera Warhorses |
Returning to the living world |
| 21 Jun 23 / parterre box |
A riveting new Spanish language work |
| 21 Jun 23 / San Francisco Chronicle |
SF Opera has a winner with Frida y Diego |
| 20 Jun 23 / San Francisco Classical Voice |
New opera brings magical dreams of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera to colorful life |
| 17 Jun 23 / Seen and Heard |
In San Francisco, a week of destination opera |
| 16 Jun 23 / New York Times |
Daniela Mack found Frida’s brashness, her confidence and her vulnerability in a strongly sung performance |
| 16 Jun 23 / Opera Today |
San Francisco Opera’s ‘El último sueño de Frida y Diego’ a riveting new Spanish language work |
| 16 Jun 23 / Local News Matters |
Die Frau ohne SchattenSan Francisco OperaNo. of reviews: 11 | |
Successo per Die Frau ohne Schatten |
| 3 Jul 23 / Gli amici della musica |
Striking visuals counter dated plot in ‘Die Frau ohne Schatten’ at SF Opera |
| 23 Jun 23 / 48hills |
A colorful, brilliantly performed "Frau ohne Schatten" |
| 18 Jun 23 / Opera Warhorses |
more reviews [+]
In San Francisco, a week of destination opera |
| 16 Jun 23 / New York Times |
A thrilling Frau ohne Schatten delivers the goods in San Francisco |
| 14 Jun 23 / Seen and Heard |
Hockney’s operatic world is filled with brilliant color |
| 14 Jun 23 / Opera Today |
R. Strauss’ rarely staged work is a glorious soul-stirring spectacle in San Francisco. |
| 12 Jun 23 / OperaWire |
Strauss’ imposing ‘Frau’ steps out of shadows into spectacle of lights |
| 11 Jun 23 / Classical Voice North America |
Standing in the shadows of love |
| 8 Jun 23 / parterre box |
Donald Runnicles returns to S.F. Opera to command a thrilling Strauss powerhouse |
| 7 Jun 23 / San Francisco Chronicle |
Richard Strauss’s fairy-tale Frau makes a magical return to SF Opera |
| 7 Jun 23 / San Francisco Classical Voice |
associated articles [+]
Die Frau ohne Schatten returns to San Francisco in 2023
In a post-Roe world, an upcoming S.F. Opera show stands on the wrong side of the debate.
In a post-Roe world, an upcoming S.F. Opera show stands on the wrong side of the debate.
La TraviataSan Francisco OperaNo. of reviews: 9 | |
Nuovo lusso |
| 23 Dec 22 / L'Ape musicale |
Delightful new production, well-received debuts by Yende, Tetelman and Piazzola |
| 3 Dec 22 / Opera Warhorses |
Superb singing highlights La Traviata at San Francisco Opera |
| 28 Nov 22 / The Berkeley Daily Planet |
more reviews [+]
Pretty Yende triumphs in new production by Shawna Lucey |
| 21 Nov 22 / OperaWire |
Wondrous things do still happen at San Francisco Opera |
| 19 Nov 22 / Opera Today |
Color my world |
| 17 Nov 22 / parterre box |
Pretty Yende and a sparkling new production deliver a beautiful La traviata at San Francisco Opera |
| 17 Nov 22 / Seen and Heard |
Fall in love again with SF Opera’s La traviata |
| 16 Nov 22 / San Francisco Classical Voice |
S.F. Opera introduces a beautiful new ‘Traviata’ meant to last for decades |
| 13 Nov 22 / San Francisco Chronicle |
associated articles [+]
Pretty Yende: from small-town South Africa to the opera stage
“I was born with a gift and am very grateful for that,” says soprano Pretty Yende.
“I was born with a gift and am very grateful for that,” says soprano Pretty Yende.
Orfeo ed EuridiceSan Francisco OperaNo. of reviews: 8 | |
Jakub Józef Orlínski does it all in brilliant interpretation of Gluck’s masterpiece |
| 30 Nov 22 / OperaWire |
Orlinski’s astounding, acrobatic Orfeo |
| 26 Nov 22 / Opera Warhorses |
‘Orpheus and Eurydice,’ at SF Opera, explores ‘stages of grief’ |
| 24 Nov 22 / The Reporter |
more reviews [+]
SF Opera’s Orpheus and Eurydice overdoses on grief |
| 23 Nov 22 / San Francisco Classical Voice |
Good grief |
| 22 Nov 22 / parterre box |
Breakdancing Orpheus with a dazzling voice brings plenty of life to Gluck’s opera in San Francisco |
| 19 Nov 22 / Seen and Heard |
Jakub Józef Orlinski brought an ephemeral presence to mythological tragedy’s most notable hero |
| 18 Nov 22 / Opera Today |
At S.F. Opera, an extraordinary ‘Orpheus’ grapples with death and loss |
| 17 Nov 22 / San Francisco Chronicle |
associated articles [+]
Tips from a break-dancing opera star
According to Jakub Józef Orliński, don’t spin on your head before singing...
According to Jakub Józef Orliński, don’t spin on your head before singing...
Dialogues des CarmelitesSan Francisco OperaNo. of reviews: 8 | |
A troubled and troubling Dialogues des Carmelites at SF Opera |
| 8 Nov 22 / The Berkeley Daily Planet |
Heidi Stober delivers in performance full of comfort and confidence |
| 1 Nov 22 / OperaWire |
Reviews search
Performance schedule
Mozart
30 May to 30 Jun 2024
Saariaho
1 to 21 Jun 2024
Handel
15 to 28 Jun 2024
Verdi
6 to 27 Sep 2024
Ruders
14 Sep to 1 Oct 2024
Wagner
19 Oct to 5 Nov 2024
Bizet
13 Nov to 1 Dec 2024
Puccini
3 to 21 Jun 2025
Mozart
14 to 25 Jun 2025
News & Articles
| SF Opera makes big plans in small numbers for 2024–2025 |
The 2024–2025 schedule will see the continuation of Music Director Eun Sun Kim’s signature Verdi-Wagner initiative, a company premiere, and the return of repertory favorites. |
| 21 Feb 2024 / San Francisco Classical Voice |
| When it comes to S.F. Opera, Eun Sun Kim is taking the long view |
One of Eun Sun Kim’s stated goals as music director of the San Francisco Opera has been to keep the music of Wagner and Verdi at the center of the repertoire. |
| 1 Nov 2023 / San Francisco Chronicle |
| S.F. Opera announces its 2023-24 season |
The San Francisco Opera plans to launch its second century with a 2023-24 season featuring the highest proportion of contemporary work in its history, alongside an array of familiar works by Verdi, Wagner and others. |
| 25 Jan 2023 / San Francisco Chronicle |
| S.F. Opera awards company medal to three longtime artists |
Mezzo-soprano Catherine Cook and bass-baritones Philip Skinner and Dale Travis received the San Francisco Opera Medal, the company’s highest honor. |
| 1 Nov 2022 / San Francisco Chronicle |
| Looking back at memorable moments in design at San Francisco Opera |
In a genre rich with passionate romances, vengeful feuds, mythical creatures and three-hankie tragedies, the right costumes, sets and overall concept can make or break a production. |
| 9 Sep 2022 / San Francisco Chronicle |
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