Business Listing - Theater

San Francisco Opera

301 Van Ness Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94102 map
cross street: Grove
district: Civic Center

Tel. 4158643330
Website

About San Francisco Opera

Founded by Gaetano Merola in 1923, the San Francisco Opera has become one of the finest opera companies in the world. The sf opera gave its first performance, Puccini's "La Boheme", on september 26, 1923 at the Civic Auditorium. It was later established at the War Memorial Opera House when it officially opened its doors on October 5, 1932.

Over the past five decades, two world performances, 20 American performances and over 135 productions have graced the opera house stage. Each fall, the opera season officially begins with the traditional opening night gala. Some of the biggest names in international opera are present to celebrate the new season. Bay Area opera enthusiasts and aficionados have made the gala the "inaugural ball" of the San Francisco social season.

Articles for San Francisco Opera | 1 to 3 of 3

Editorial Review

Samson and Delilah

Allow Yourself to be Seduced

By Nirmala Nataraj (09/25/2007)

" Camille Saint-Saens’ "Samson and Delilah" is perhaps one of the most violently erotic operas in all of history. Far be it from the frivolous coquettishness of librettos like "Don Giovanni" or "La Traviata" -- which despite their illustriousness, border on inconsequential melodrama -- the love story of "Samson and Delilah" is nicely tempered by stuff like religious oppression, psychic torment, and the poignancy of heartbreak, made all the more glorious given the bleak Old Testament mise en scene. "

Editorial Review

Don Giovanni

Mozart’s Un-Repenting Rake

By Chrissy Loader (06/08/2007)

" An evening at the opera, even a “school night” performance, promises something special. The night is even better with a pre-performance Prosecco at Jardiniere, a chance to bask amidst sweet smelling men in tuxedos and grand looking women in diamonds and stoles, and, in this case, the opportunity to enjoy what many consider to be the most perfect opera, the pinnacle of its form. "

Editorial Review

The Barber of Seville

O Glorious Cheesy Triangle!

By Clifton Lemon (11/09/2006)

" "Il Barbiere di Siviglia", Rossini’s best known work, is a facile and silly confection, and according to Opera America, the fifth most performed opera in North America. Like Mozart, to whom he was sometimes compared, Rossini was a prolific and lighting-quick producer of music. He wrote this opera in just thirteen days -- the zippy, spontaneous delivery is evident in the work. "

Articles for San Francisco Opera | 1 to 3 of 3