The Opera Tattler

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SF Opera’s 2015-2016 Season

Open-house-david-wakelySeptember 11-27 2015: Luisa Miller
September 12-29 2015: Sweeney Todd
October 8-28 2015: Lucia di Lammermoor
October 20- November 20 2015: The Magic Flute
November 18- December 6 2015: Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg
November 25- December 9 2015: Il barbiere di Siviglia
December 8-13 2015: Usher House and La Chute de la Maison Usher
May 27- July 3 2016: Carmen
June 12-29 2016: Don Carlo
June 14-July 1 2016: Jenůfa

David Gockley announced his last season at San Francisco Opera today. Leah Crocetto, Michael Fabiano and Thomas Hampson star in Luisa Miller. Gerald Finley is Sweeney Todd opposite Stephanie Blythe. Diana Damrau sings the title role of Lucia di Lammermoor. Greer Grimsley and Brandon Jovanovich sing in Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg. Calixto Bieito's production of Carmen features two casts. René Pape is Philip II in Don Carlo. Karita Mattila is Kostelnička in Jenůfa.

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10 responses to “SF Opera’s 2015-2016 Season”

  1. Lisa Hirsch Avatar
    Lisa Hirsch

    Karita Mattila is the Kostelnicka. Malin Bystrom is Jenufa!

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  2. The Opera Tattler Avatar
    The Opera Tattler

    Thanks, correcting now!

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  3. Roberto Avatar
    Roberto

    Very interesting. But still not Strauss…

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  4. The Opera Tattler Avatar
    The Opera Tattler

    Was surprised by the lack of Strauss as well.

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  5. Sacto OperaFan Avatar
    Sacto OperaFan

    I agree w/Roberto, unfortunately no Strauss. I am surprised there is no Puccini – not that it’s a bad thing considering recent programming at SFO.
    2015/16 is very interesting in that some of the performances feature stellar casts and others not so much. I find it odd that management has programmed 10 performances of The Magic Flute, in ENGLISH. I never really cared for that one, but it must fill the house based on it’s performance history.
    I used to always hope for no cancellations, but considering last year’s Norma, I’m not sure if cancellations are a bad thing. In the Fall I am really looking forward to Luisa Miller – finally Crocetto and Fabiano in the same performance; Lucia – Madam Damrau has been absent for too long. I swore never to see Meistersinger again, but I am truly tempted to break that vow given Jovanovich is singing. The last Meistersinger I saw was a great one cast wise: Hepner before his vocal crisis and Matilla as Eva. It was very LLLLOOOONNNGGG. I sat next to someone who cried during the finale; at that point I came to the realization “I just don’t get this one.”
    The Summer season is sizzling. Finally, a Don Carlo with a magnificent cast. I really hope for no cancellations in that one. Well maybe if Harteros agrees to come and sing. But I really am looking forward to K Stoyanova – I’ve only heard her on the internet, but she sounds like a Verdi soprano; was very disappointed when she cancelled her Ballo.
    I generally don’t care for Carmen, but everybody I’ve chatted with are excited to see the Beito production. I don’t know any of the singers, so this is a maybe. I generally don’t go to operas to see the set. Finally Jenufa with Matilla and Bystrom sounds promising. Matilla being a favorite of mine.
    Hope all you other Tattlers are excited as I am. Any must sees for you?? Thank you to OT for springing the news on us.

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  6. Susan Avatar
    Susan

    Do you mean August 11-27 for Luisa Miller and September 12-29 for Sweeny Todd? I’m assuming they won’t be running at the same time?

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  7. The Opera Tattler Avatar
    The Opera Tattler

    They are running at the same time, which must pose an interesting challenge for the orchestra.

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  8. The Opera Tattler Avatar
    The Opera Tattler

    Thanks so much for your comments. I am most excited about Jenufa, as I haven’t had a chance to hear this opera live yet.

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  9. Cayucos Kid Avatar
    Cayucos Kid

    Can someone shed light on why Racette was cast something like 7 of 10 operas this past season? Is there a shortage of sopranos who will agree to sing in SF? What is going on? She is good, but not the only soprano alive! There must be a good explanation. I’d like someone to explain the thinking.

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  10. nicolereding-hourcade Avatar
    nicolereding-hourcade

    I hope coming back for Jenufa that i saw in Zurich with Christine Oppolais amazing Jenupha and Pavol Breslik Steva, excellent.Of course Kartital Mattila is one of the best especially for Strauss, She has the Strauss legato and was magic, last january in Paris Bastille as Ariane in Ariane auf Naxos.

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