2017–18 Season Preview

3 Cycles from June 12–July 1

Through myth we find humanity. Charting an epic course from the birth of nature to the fall of the gods and the dawn of a new age, this monumental work of art returns to San Francisco. Tackling timeless themes of corruption, greed, neglect and love, this epic work unfolds over the course of four operas—Das Rheingold, Die Walküre, Siegfried and Götterdämmerung—in Francesca Zambello"s spectacular production, conducted by Donald Runnicles.

Conductor: Donald Runnicles

June 2011

Music of the Woodbird

Siegfried's Rhine Journey

"Du bist nicht, was du dich wähnst!": Mark Delavan

"Ich sehe die Not": Nina Stemme, Brandon Jovanovich

"Heil dir, Sonne": Nina Stemme

"Grimgerde! Gerhilde!": Nina Stemme, Anja Kampe

Siegfried's Funeral March

Finale of Rheingold: Stacey Tappan, Lauren McNeese, Renée Tatum

November 4–22

Jules Massenet's bright, sensuous opera follows a pair of not-so-innocent young lovers as they tangle with the toast of Paris, inviting dangerous consequences. This new production is a sparkling portrait of a city and a woman no one can resist.

October 1998

Vendor Chorus

"Je suis encore": Ruth Ann Swenson

"Adieu notre petite table": Ruth Ann Swenson

Saint Sulpice duet: Ruth Ann Swenson, Jerry Hadley

Finale: Ruth Ann Swenson, Jerry Hadley

September 23–October 17

When the glamorous but fragile courtesan Violetta Valéry and her admirer Alfredo Germont find love, it seems nothing can keep them apart. But the rules of society and family expectations betray them, and Violetta’s fate takes a tragic turn. Maestro Nicola Luisotti conducts, taking his final bow as music director.

Conductor: Nicola Luisotti

June 2014

Opening Prelude

"Più non esiste": Nicole Cabell, Stephen Costello

"Pura siccome un angelo": Nicole Cabell, Stephen Costello

"Così alla misera": Nicole Cabell, Stephen Costello

"Dite alla giovine": Nicole Cabell

"Dite alla giovine/Ah supremo, il veggo": Nicole Cabell, Stephen Costello

September 9–27

In the wake of her father’s murder, Elektra's world has come unmoored. When her desire for justice becomes a blood lust, she pushes her fractured family to the brink of destruction in this new production with a contemporary lens on Greek history.

Conductor: Jiri Kout

October 1997

Opening Aria for Elektra: Elizabeth Connell

"Von jetzt an will ich deine Schwester sein": Elizabeth Connell, Frances Ginzer

Elektra's Dance: Elizabeth Connell, Frances Ginzer

Height of Recognition Scene: Elizabeth Connell, Alan Held

September 8–30 - November 18–December 9

A cold-hearted but exquisitely beautiful princess challenges her suitors to a deadly game of wits. Only Calaf, an exiled prince, is determined enough to crack her icy veneer. Be transported to another time and place in David Hockney’s acclaimed production conducted by Music Director Nicola Luisotti.

Conductor: Nicola Luisotti

November 2011

Introduction

Ping, Pang and Pong from Act II: Hyung Yun, Greg Fedderly, Daniel Montenegro

Four Chinese Melodies: Matthew Shilvock

"Là, sui monti dell’est": San Francisco Opera Children's Chorus

Finale

Conductor: Julius Rudel

October 1998

Prelude to Manon

All excerpts are from recordings of live San Francisco Opera performances and feature the San Francisco Opera Orchestra and Chorus.

San Francisco Opera would like to thank the American Federation of Musicians, the America Guild of Musical Artists and the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees for helping to make this recording possible.