The Opera Tattler
Reviews of Performances and their Audiences
Category: San Francisco Opera
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* Notes * San Francisco Opera and Cal Performances presented the world premiere of Nolan Gasser's The Secret Garden (Act II pictured left, photograph by Betsy Kershner) last night in Berkeley. The music features a tiny ensemble of ten instrumentalists, lead by conductor Sara Jobin. The rhythms employed are of interest, particularly in the prologue,…
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Mezzo-soprano Zheng Cao died of cancer yesterday at age 46 in San Francisco. Cao was a participant of the Merola Opera Program in 1994 and was an Adler from 1995 to 1996. Cao was seen in 16 productions at San Francisco Opera including roles in The Bonesetter’s Daughter (pictured left as Ruth Young Kamen, photograph…
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September 6- October 2 2013: MefistofeleSeptember 18- October 4 2013: Dolores ClaiborneOctober 8- November 2 2013: FalstaffOctober 22- November 15 2013: Der fliegender HolländerNovember 13- December 1 2013: Il barbiere di SivigliaJune 1- July 2 2014: Show BoatJune 11- July 13 2014: La TraviataJune 15- July 9 2014: Madama Butterfly David Gockley announced San Francisco…
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* Notes * Angela Gheorghiu (pictured left in Act II, photograph by Cory Weaver) sang her fourth complete performance of Tosca at San Francisco Opera last night. Gheorghiu’s voice seems a bit thin for the role, though her sound does have a lovely, silvery quality. Gheorghiu looks stunning in the various costumes, but perhaps her acting…
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* Notes * The second performance of Tosca at San Francisco Opera featured three different principals (Patricia Racette as Tosca and Brian Jagde as Cavaradossi pictured left, photograph by Cory Weaver) to fairly fine effect. Patricia Racette’s portrayal of Tosca is dramatically convincing. Though the timbre of her vibrato always makes this listener uncomfortable, she sings…
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* Notes * Last night's opening of Tosca at San Francisco Opera was rather more exciting than expected, given that the 1997 production has been revived three times before. As Tosca, Angela Gheorghiu sang Act I a bit quietly, and was often not with the orchestra. Before Act II, General Director David Gockley announced that Gheorghiu…
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Celebrating San Francisco Opera's 90th Season, the Company is hosting a Community Open House today at the War Memorial Opera House (301 Van Ness Avenue pictured left, photograph by David Wakely) from 10:30am to 2:30pm. Events include technical and musical demonstrations with Maestro Nicola Luisotti, the San Francisco Opera Orchestra and Chorus, soprano Melody Moore,…
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* Notes * Lohengrin opened at San Francisco Opera last night. The production is new to the house, and has been seen in Geneva and Houston. Inspired by the Hungary of 1956, the action takes place within what looks to be a library. Designed by Robert Innes Hopkins, the set (Act I pictured left, photograph…
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* Notes * Moby-Dick (Jay Hunter Morris as Captain Ahab, Stephen Costello as Greenhorn, and Jonathan Lemalu as Queequeg pictured left; photograph by Cory Weaver) opened at San Francisco Opera on Wednesday evening. The opera premiered at Dallas Opera, and the production has traveled to the State Opera of South Australia in Adelaide, Calgary Opera, and…
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* Notes * A new production of I Capuleti e i Montecchi (Act I Scene 2 pictured left, photograph by Cory Weaver) opened at San Francisco Opera on Saturday. Conductor Riccardo Frizza had the orchestra sounding rather jaunty. The horn, clarinet, harp, and cello all gave solid performances. There were moments when the orchestra was much…
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