The Opera Tattler

Reviews of Performances and their Audiences

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SF Opera Futures and Latest Commissions

2010-2011 Season
Summer 2011: Der Ring des Nibelungen

2011-2012 Season
September 2011: An opera about September 11th by Christopher Theofanidis
Summer 2012: John Adams' Nixon in China

2012-2013 Season
Fall 2012: Jake Heggie's Moby-Dick
June 2013: Mark Adamo's The Gospel of Mary Magdalene

2013-2014 Season
Fall 2013: An opera by Jennifer Higdon

Nothing surprising here, though it is good to know that the Ring has not been canceled and the name of the aforementioned female composer.

Press Release [PDF] | Official Site

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9 responses to “SF Opera Futures and Latest Commissions”

  1. knights-tale Avatar
    knights-tale

    I’m encouraged by the new operas in the works. While neither of them was perfect by any means, I thought that Gockley’s commissions of “Appomattox” and “The Bonesetter’s Daughter” each made for good theatre and were given strong productions. I think that bodes will for new works here in SF.
    But it is odd that SFO premiered “Doctor Atomic” but has not yet presented “Nixon in China.”
    I wonder if that major gift earmarked for new works will invigorate the commissioning process…

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  2. knights-tale Avatar
    knights-tale

    Oh, and great news about “The Ring.” It would have been terrible to abandon it. While not crazy about how the concept has been realized so far (though I do like the concept) I look forward to my first full “Ring.”

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  3. The Opera Tattler Avatar
    The Opera Tattler

    I think there is a certain prestige involved in presenting a world premiere, but it is odd about Doctor Atomic and Nixon in China.

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  4. The Opera Tattler Avatar
    The Opera Tattler

    I’m definitely looking forward to my first full Ring in SF too.

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  5. Doug Avatar
    Doug

    I’m still holding my breath for a Saariaho opera. I’m quite blue. Pretty please with sugar on top?

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  6. Not For Fun Only Avatar
    Not For Fun Only

    I’m glad to read that our summer 2011 Ring seems to be safe, though I agree with knights-tale that the current concept production has its issues. It may be my next Ring, seeing as I’ve recently received yet another rejection letter from Bayreuth (though I am convinced that a certain blogger actually got my tickets). I had no idea that SFO had never done Nixon in China before, in which case it is about time!
    An opera about 9/11 is not a surprising idea, but it is one fraught with peril. Should be very interesting to see what happens here.
    An opera about Moby Dick — I can see the copy already: “A whale of an opera”, “Production completely at sea”, “Thar it blows”… It just occurred to me that no female voices would be needed for such a thing. Maybe they can even recycle an old Billy Budd set.
    I’ve heard a couple of short chamber works by Jennifer Higdon in recitals in the past few years, & I found her music refreshingly accessible. An opera by her could be good. I guess Saariaho is too busy for us.

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  7. The Opera Tattler Avatar
    The Opera Tattler

    Well! You may get to go to Bayreuth in 2010, one never knows.
    I’m particularly scared of the Moby-Dick opera.

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  8. The Opera Tattler Avatar
    The Opera Tattler

    Please don’t hold your breath for 4 years!

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  9. Doug Gary Avatar
    Doug Gary

    You just gave me reason to look forward to this likely shipwreck of any opera. The copy, of course, the copy. I wonder if Heggie will become an interesting composer by then. (Sorry… that was rude.)

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