2019–20 Season Preview

By Giuseppe Verdi

June 7 – July 2, 2020

In 16th - century Spain, Ernani is a deposed nobleman living on the run as a bandit. When two powerful men seek to make a prize of his lover, Ernani hatches a plot to rescue her — and free the country in the process. But in a world where tradition and loyalty rule, can an outlawed love win?

Conductor: Giuseppe Patanè

September 1968

Act 3 finale: San Francisco Opera Chorus

“Ernani involami”: Leontyne Price

“Come rugiada al cespite”: Renato Cioni

“Infelice! e tu credevi”: Ezio Flagello

“oh de’ verd’anni miei”: Peter Glossop

Act 2 trio: Leontyne Price, Renato Cioni, Peter Glossop

By George Frideric Handel

June 12 – 27, 2020

Complete with an elegant heroine, misbehaving men, pure romance, and good old-fashioned cross-dressing, Partenope is a romantic comedy about what happens when the battle of the sexes stops being conventional and starts getting surreal.

Conductor: Julian Wachner

October 2014

Act 2 sinfonia: San Francisco OperaOrchestra

“Care mura”: Danielle de Niese

Act 1 sinfonia: San Francisco Opera Orchestra

“Viva, viva Partenope”: Daniela Mack, Alek Shrader, David Daniels, Anthony Roth Costanzo, Philippe Sly

Act 3 quartet: Danielle de Niese, Alek Shrader, David Daniels, Anthony Roth Costanzo

“Qual farfalletta”: Danielle de Niese

“Sì, scherza, sì”: Danielle de Niese

“Vi circondi la Gloria”: Danielle de Niese, Daniela Mack, David Daniels, Anthony Roth Costanzo, Philippe Sly

Music by Mason

Bates / Libretto by Mark Campbell

June 20 – July 3, 2020

Commissioned by San Francisco Opera, the Santa Fe Opera and Seattle Opera with support from Cal

Performances and co-produced with Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.

With “one device,” Steve Jobs indisputably changed our world. Yet as he tried to make the world more connected, he struggled to truly connect with the people in his own life — his friends, business partners, and family. Behind all the disruption and the drive for perfection, what did it all mean?

Conductor: Michael Christie

August 2017

Interlude: Santa Fe Opera Orchestra

Laurene’s aria: Sasha Cooke

“One Device”: Edwards Parks

Audio excerpts are from 2017 performances of The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs at Santa Fe Opera, recorded by Pentatone. Provided courtesy of Santa Fe Opera, Pentatone, and Naxos of America.

By Engelbert Humperdinck

November 15 – December 7, 2019

Enter a magical forest where the trees are older than time, fairies lurk in the shadows, and a house of candy sits alone amidst the trees. Experience this cherished musical fairy tale in a charming new co-production with London’s Royal Opera.

Conductor: Nicholas McGegan

November 2002

“Dancing Song”: Catrin Wyn-Davies, Sara Fulgoni

“Dream Pantomime”: Catrin Wyn-Davies, Sara Fulgoni

“But there’s one a crone, who lives alone”: David Okerlund

“Don’t say that. Come here and hold me tight”: Catrin Wyn-Davies, Sara Fulgoni

“Child’s Prayer”: Catrin Wyn-Davies, Sara Fulgoni

Act 2 finale

By Giacomo Puccini

November 8 – 26, 2019

Manon Lescaut brings Italian passion to the tale of a young woman’s conflicted search for satisfaction. Too easily seduced by luxury, Manon leaves her true love for a wealthy older man only to realize her childish mistake...but it may be too late.

Conductor: Reynald Giovaninetti

September 1974

Act 3 finale: Leontyne Price, Giorgio Merighi, James Courtney, San Francisco Opera Chorus

“Sola perduta abbandonata”: Leontyne Price

“Vi prego, signorina”: Joseph Frank

“A far? Manon!”: Leontyne Price, Giorgio Merighi, Julian Patrick

Act 2 interlude: San Francisco Opera Orchestra

By Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

October 11 – November 1, 2019

The Marriage of Figaro has been called a perfect opera — an irresistible mix of comedy and drama that delivers insight into the heart and soul of everyday life through a sublime score and compelling characters.

Conductor: Patrick Summers

June 2015

Overture: San Francisco Opera Orchestra

“Se vuol ballare signor contino”: Philippe Sly

“Dove sono i bei momenti”: Nadine Sierra

“Che soave zeffiretto”: Lisette Oropesa, Nadine Sierra

Act 3 finale: Lisette Oropesa, Nadine Sierra, Catherine Cook, Philippe Sly, Luca Pisaroni, John Del Carlo, Greg Fedderly

By Benjamin Britten

September 7 – 22, 2019

When young Billy is pressed into naval service aboard the H.M.S. Indomitable, the recruit’s youth and innocence arouse devotion from the crew, but the commanding officer’s suspicions and dark desires threaten to throw order into chaos.

Conductor: David Atherton

September 1978

“This is our moment”: San Francisco Opera Chorus

“Billy Budd, king of the birds”: Dale Duesing

“O beauty, o handsomeness, goodness”: Forbes Robinson

“I accept their verdict”: Richard Lewis

Act 2 interlude: San Francisco Opera Orchestra

“Epilogue”: Richard Lewis

By Charles Gounod

September 6 - October 1, 2019

Despite the senseless, bloody conflict between their warring families, two young lovers from opposite sides of the tracks commit to each other in life and death.

Conductor: Michel Plasson

November 1987

Beginning of Act 4

“Va! Je t’ai pardonné!”: Ruth Ann Swenson, Alfredo Kraus

“Ah! Je veux vivre”: Ruth Ann Swenson

“Madrigal”: Ruth Ann Swenson, Alfredo Kraus

“O nuit divine!”: Ruth Ann Swenson, Alfredo Kraus

“C’est là! Salut tombeau”: Ruth An

n Swenson, Alfredo Kraus

Overture: The Marriage of Figaro

by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Conductor: Patrick Summers

June 2015