The Opera Tattler
Reviews of Performances and their Audiences
Month: September 2025
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* Notes * Maestro James Gaffigan conducted the San Francisco Symphony (pictured, photograph by Stefan Cohen) in a festive program of Carlos Simon, George Gershwin, and Duke Ellington last night at Davies Hall. Hélène Grimaud joined the orchestra as soloist in Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F, which she played with technical skill and relaxed aplomb.…
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* Notes * Twenty-five years after San Francisco Opera premiered Jake Heggie’s Dead Man Walking (Act II pictured, photograph by Cory Weaver), the opera again graced the War Memorial Opera House stage this afternoon. The drama of this piece is quite intense and the singing and was strong. Leonard Foglia’s production from 2002 involves many…
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* Notes * This year marked the 50th Opera in the Park performance from San Francisco Opera. The proceedings yesterday were delightful. Music Director Eun Sun Kim conducted with vim and clarity, starting with the National Anthem followed by Strauss’ Radatzky March. Later in the afternoon we heard San Francisco Opera bassist Shinji Eshima’s composition…
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* Notes * A new season of opened at San Francisco Opera with a brilliantly played Rigoletto last night. Maestra Eun Sun Kim had the orchestra sounding beautifully clear and there was much gorgeous and evocative singing. This 1997 production is inspired by the italian painter Giorgio de Chirico. The set, from Michael Yeargan, is simple…
The Opera Tattler 