2016–17 Season Preview

Puccini’s sweeping melodies and rich, heartfelt harmonies drive home the joy and sorrow of struggling young artists

in 19th-century Paris. Carlo Montanaro conducts this timeless story of love, heartbreak and the fragility of life.

Conductor: Nicola Luisotti

November 2014

Introduction

Act IV, Mimì’s Death: Alexey Markov, Michael Fabiano, Christian Van Horn

“Guardare” (e un pappagallo m’addita): Michael Fabiano, Christian Van Horn, Alexey Markov, Hadleigh Adams

Sono andati?: Alexia Voulgaridou

Niuno è solo l’april: Alexia Voulgaridou, Michael Fabiano, Alexey Markov, Nadine Sierra

Opera’s most famous seducer, Don Giovanni, betrays and murders without remorse until a ghostly dinner guest brings retribution. Ildebrando D’Arcangelo stars in a reimagined production from director Jacopo Spirei.

Conductor: Nicola Luisotti

October 2011

Overture

Finch’han dal vino: Lucas Meachem

Deh vieni alla finestra: Lucas Meachem

Metà di voi: Lucas Meachem

Act I, Finale: Lucas Meachem, Ellie Dehn, Marco Vinco, Shawn Mathey, Serena Farnocchia, Kate Lindsey, Ryan Kuster

Act II, Final Scene: Morris Robinson

A hunchbacked court jester tries to shield his daughter from the curse that ultimately shatters their lives. Music

Director Nicola Luisotti conducts one of Verdi’s most memorable creations.

Conductor: Nicola Luisotti

September 2012

Overture

Deh non parlare: Željko Lučić

Bella figlia dell’amore: Francesco Demuro, Kendall Gladen, Aleksandra Kurzak, Željko Lučić

Cultures clash when a trusting young geisha marries an American naval officer in Puccini’s gut-wrenching tale. Lianna Haroutounian returns in this compelling visual production by Jun Kaneko.

Conductor: Nicola Luisotti

December 2007

Entrance of Butterfly: Patricia Racette, Stephen Powell

Butterfly’s Death

Addio, fiorito asil: Brandon Jovanovich

Dovunque al mondo lo Yankee vagabondo: Brandon Jovanovich, Stephen Powell

Tosca

Conductor: Riccardo Frizza

October 2014

Vissi d’arte: Lianna Haroutounian

Verdi’s grand Egyptian epic is the setting for an intimate love story about the heroic Radames and the Ethiopian slave girl, Aida. Francesca Zambello directs this bold new production inspired by one of today’s most exciting street artists, RETNA.

Conductor: García Navarro

November 1981

Act II, Trumpet Fanfare

Guerra, guerra!: Margaret Price, Stefania Toczyska, Luciano Pavarotti, Kevin Langan, Simon Estes, Kurt Rydel

Priests’ Chorus, Nume che del tuo spirito

Judgment Scene, È traditor, morrà: Stefania Toczyska, Kurt Rydel

Tu sei felice: Margaret Price, Stefania Toczyska

Nile Scene, Là, tra foreste vergini: Margaret Price, Luciano Pavarotti

Chi ti salva, sciagurato?: Stefania Toczyska, Luciano Pavarotti

Tomb Scene, O terra, addio: Margaret Price, Luciano Pavarotti

The seductive Emilia Marty has broken hearts for more than 300 years and yet doesn’t look a day past 30. Now she must choose whether to retake the elixir that extended her life or find peace in death. Nadja Michael stars in Olivier Tambosi’s striking production.

Conductor: Jiří Bělohlávek

November 2010

End of Overture

End of Opera: Karita Mattila, Thomas Glenn, Miroslav Dvorský, Dale Travis, Gerd Grochowski

Beginning of Overture

End of Act I: Karita Mattila, Miroslav Dvorský

Death Scene: Karita Mattila, Gerd Grochowski

Sparkling with virtuosic singing and playful humor, this comedy pits the miserly Don Pasquale against his nephew Ernesto and Ernesto’s sweetheart, the crafty young Norina. Lawrence Brownlee makes his long-awaited Company debut in this fanciful production by Laurent Pelly.

Conductor: Uwe Mund

October 1980

Tornami a dir’: Ruth Welting, David Rendall

Opening Cello Solo

Act II, Prelude

Act III, Chorus Waltz

È rimasto: Ruth Welting, David Rendall, Timothy Nolen, Geraint Evans

End of Act II: Ruth Welting, David Rendall, Timothy Nolen, Geraint Evans

This classic Chinese epic recounts a love triangle between a young nobleman, his spiritual soulmate and a beautiful heiress. Commissioned by San Francisco Opera, this world-premiere opera is by Bright Sheng, one of the most important Chinese-American composers today, and Tony Award-winning playwright David Henry Hwang (M. Butterfly).

An ardent poet and a young noblewoman find love amidst the turmoil and terror of the French Revolution. Music Director Nicola Luisotti conducts this powerful melodic score in a lavish period production by director David McVicar.

Conductor: Emerson Buckley

November 1975

Introduction

Gavotte

Un dì all’azzuro spazio: Plácido Domingo

La mamma morta: Josella Ligi

Final Duet: Plácido Domingo, Josella Ligi

Conductor: Nicola Luisotti

October 2011

Già la mensa è preparata from Don Giovanni