By all critical accounts, the young artists of the Merola Opera Program not only acquitted themselves at last month’s grand finale program at the War Memorial Opera House—they distinguished themselves.
Photo courtesy of San Francisco Symphony
By Paul Duclos
Published: September, 2013
By all critical accounts, the young artists of the Merola Opera Program not only acquitted themselves at last month’s grand finale program at the War Memorial Opera House—they distinguished themselves. Surprisingly, many of Merolini chose to depart from the canon, and sing instead rarely performed arias by Monteverdi, Purcell and Handel.
Each summer, San Francisco becomes a place where dreams come true for the young artists in the program. Out of hundreds of young hopefuls who audition, approximately 23 singers, five apprentice coaches and one apprentice stage director are chosen to participate. Merola is dedicated to seeking out the finest young opera talent and helping them develop into professional artists of the highest caliber. For more, see merola.org.
Meanwhile, the major league season gets underway this month, as the San Francisco Opera makes single tickets available for the world premiere of Dolores Claiborne, a new opera commissioned from composer Tobias Picker and librettist J. D. McClatchy based on the 1992 novel by Stephen King.
The season also features the long-awaited revival of Robert Carsen’s acclaimed production of Boito’s Mefistofele; the Company’s official celebration of the bicentennial births of Giuseppe Verdi and Richard Wagner, including productions of Verdi’s Falstaff and La Traviata conducted by Music Director Nicola Luisotti and a new production of Wagner’s Der Fliegende Holländer, led by Principal Guest Conductor Patrick Summers; the company debut of Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II’s landmark 1927 musical drama Show Boat; a new production of Rossini’s beloved Il Barbiere di Siviglia as well as two special performances of The Barber of Seville for Families; and the San Francisco Opera debut of visual artist Jun Kaneko’s visually stunning production of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly. All performances include the San Francisco Opera Orchestra and Chorus at the historic War Memorial Opera House.
Single tickets for the extraordinary performance of Giuseppe Verdi’s choral masterpiece, Messa da Requiem on Friday, October 25—featuring the combined orchestras and choruses of San Francisco Opera and Italy’s renowned Real Teatro di San Carlo of Naples—are on sale as of August 1. In celebration of the bicentennial of Verdi’s birth, this concert will be conducted by Nicola Luisotti and will feature four vocal soloists—soprano Leah Crocetto, mezzo-soprano Margaret Mezzacappa, tenor Michael Fabiano and bass Vitalij Kowaljow. For more, see sfopera.com.
San Francisco Symphony’s opening night gala concert program on Tuesday, September 3—featuring Music Director Michael Tilson Thomas, and guest soprano Audra McDonald—is comprised solely of works by American composers, including selections from the American Songbook performed by McDonald, Antheil’s Jazz Symphony and Gershwin’s An American in Paris. Proceeds from the opening night gala benefit the orchestra’s myriad community and education programs, which provide music education to more than 75,000 Bay Area school children each year.
Celebrations begin prior the concert with a complimentary wine reception at 7 p.m. in the Davies Symphony Hall lobby, free to all ticketholders. Following the gala concert, all guests are invited to keep the festivities going at a lively indoor and outdoor party in the tent pavilion, which includes food, beverages, live entertainment and dancing.
Formal dinner packages are available for four separate dinners prior to the concert. The Patrons’ Dinner consists of a 5 p.m. cocktail reception in Davies Symphony Hall and a 6 p.m. dinner in the Louise M. Davies Tent Pavilion. The Symphony Supper and Symphonix Dinner take place in City Hall’s Grand Rotunda and North Light Court, respectively, and begin with a joint cocktail reception in the South Light Court. The Wattis Room Dinner begins with the 5 p.m. cocktail reception in Davies Symphony Hall with the Patrons’ Dinner guests, and a 6 p.m. dinner in the Wattis Room. For more, see www.sfsymphony.org.
Considered one of the premier interpreters of American standards, the two-time Emmy and five-time Grammy nominated Michael Feinstein will bring his new show, Swingin’ Back Home, to Feinstein’s at the Nikko for four performances only—September 11, 13, 14 and 15. Paying tribute to the great singers who reinvented the popular song, Feinstein will perform some of the most beloved classics—including "Without a Song," "Just One of Those Things," and "The Lady Is a Tramp"—in a swing style. Located within Hotel Nikko, the venue presents a wide range of local, regional and national entertainers in an intimate 140-seat cabaret setting. Tickets range in price from $30-$65 and are available now by calling (866) 663-1063 or visiting www.ticketweb.com.
