Many commuters rely on the ferry to attend Giants baseball games, but each fall there’s another reason to venture over to the "yard."
A unique opportunity for fans to enjoy the sights and sounds of San Francisco Opera, the opera simulcasts at AT&T Park have drawn more than 165,000 people, many experiencing opera for the first time.
By Paul Duclos
Published: September, 2012
Many commuters rely on the ferry to attend Giants baseball games, but each fall there’s another reason to venture over to the "yard."
In celebration of the new season, San Francisco Opera will partner with Webcor Builders and the San Francisco Giants to present the opera company’s seventh free live simulcast at AT&T Park on Saturday, September 15 at 8 p.m. Verdi’s Rigoletto, featuring a celebrated cast of singers and conducted by Nicola Luisotti, will be simulcast live from the War Memorial Opera House to AT&T Park’s high-definition scoreboard.
A unique opportunity for fans to enjoy the sights and sounds of San Francisco Opera in one of the nation’s foremost ballparks, the opera simulcasts at AT&T Park have drawn more than 165,000 people, many experiencing opera for the first time. "Webcor Builders Presents Opera at the Ballpark," the event’s official title, is made possible through the extraordinary technology of the Koret-Taube Media Suite. This event marks the tenth free simulcast presented by San Francisco Opera under David Gockley’s leadership.
Gockley became San Francisco Opera’s sixth general director in 2006, following in the footsteps of General Directors Gaetano Merola (1923-1953), Kurt Herbert Adler (1953-1981), Terence A. McEwen (1982-1988), Lotfi Mansouri (1988-2001), and Pamela Rosenberg (2001-2005). Considered one of the major innovators in American opera, Gockley came to San Francisco from Houston Grand Opera (HGO), the organization that he led for more than three decades. Gockley transformed HGO from a small regional company into one of the leading opera companies in the United States by a bold mixture of traditional and adventurous repertoire, the application of modern technology to reach new audiences, artistic excellence, and solid financial governance. A self-described "progressive traditionalist," Gockley is passionately committed to the premise that opera is a living art form that speaks to a variety of audiences.
In an exclusive interview with Mr. Gockley, we asked him to reflect on this new San Francisco tradition.
Bay Crossings: What is most memorable about past performances? Can you share any anecdotes…insights?
Gockley: What is memorable is the very high level of attendance and the youthful age group that is captivated by the simulcast production.
BC: How do outdoor audiences prepare for this performance? Any suggestions?
Gockley: I encourage the community to visit our website, www.sfopera.com, and absorb the information about the event, the audio, video offered there about our "Rigoletto" production.
BC: Does your company take any "heroic" measures to ensure that the broadcast is powerful and well received? Will the Opera House audience hear or even notice the difference?
Gockley: By now, this being our seventh simulcast to AT&T Park, it is a proven quality. We do bring in our own sound system and have a back-up AT&T transmission line in case we lose the relay connection between the War Memorial Opera House and AT&T Park.
BC: Finally, how does the whole season look to you? Will this be another winning year?
Gockley: I am crossing my fingers that the new opera season, our 90th anniversary, will be as good in person as it is on paper.
Teeing Up for a Healthy Ocean
For over a century, San Franciscans have been golfing close to home. Today, members continue to play San Francisco’s favorite 18 holes of golf and enjoy the amenities of their historic clubhouse located just off the 9th green.
Gathering after a round of morning golf for lunch or after 9 holes at twilight for cocktails and dinner, the private Presidio Golf Club continues to invite members into a warm and welcoming environment. Combining outstanding golf in a remarkable location with premier dining the Presidio Golf Club continues to enjoy all the traditions of membership.
This month, Bay Crossings readers are invited to join members of the Private Presidio Golf Club on Wednesday, September 12 to participate in the Charity Open Golf Tournament. Among the chief beneficiaries of this event is the America’s Cup Healthy Ocean Project.
The America’s Cup has launched the world’s largest ocean literacy program, and partnered with local organizations aimed at inspiring people to care about the ocean and to take personal action to improve ocean health. Come join us to support these ideals. http://www.presidiogolfclub.com/
