San Francisco Opera - San Francisco | 29 June 2024 |
You've been granted free access to this page.
Take a FREE 7 DAY TRIAL or SUBSCRIBE today to access the full content of theoperacritic.com.
Free access
Performance reviews
Key | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
PartenopeSan Francisco OperaNo. of reviews: 7 | ![]() ![]() |
Julie Fuchs shines in title role |
![]() |
Handel’s Partenope shines in SF Opera revival |
![]() |
SF Opera’s ‘Partenope’ offers Old Hollywood glamour, little subtext |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
In Napoli where love is queen |
![]() |
Partenope delights with terrific singing, sprightly playing and San Francisco Opera’s surrealist staging |
![]() |
Christopher Alden’s famed 2008 production has lost none of its original freshness |
![]() |
Spectacular cast supercharges S.F. Opera revival of Handel’s ‘Partenope’ |
![]() |
InnocenceSan Francisco OperaNo. of reviews: 11 | ![]() ![]() |
At San Francisco Opera, the familiar and the new, the latter profound |
![]() |
La última ópera de Saariaho llega a los EEUU |
![]() |
A milestone in the dramatic possibilities of operatic performance |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
A rare modern opera that should appeal to traditional opera lovers as well as to theater goers looking for a riveting opera experience |
![]() |
Art, life, mayhem, art: opera about massacre blurs lines ofimitation |
![]() |
The age of Innocence |
![]() |
Kaija Saariaho’s brilliant and disturbing last opera |
![]() |
An astonishing masterwork about a school shooting |
![]() |
Innocence, Kaija Saariaho’s masterpiece, packs a wallop in its U.S. premiere in San Francisco |
![]() |
San Francisco Opera’s powerful ‘Innocence’ speaks to today’s violent times |
![]() |
S.F. Opera’s ‘Innocence’ burrows into guilt |
![]() |
Die ZauberflöteSan Francisco OperaNo. of reviews: 7 | ![]() ![]() |
A spectacular concept |
![]() |
Barrie Kosky’s The Magic Flute is now on the stage of the War Memorial Opera House |
![]() |
At SF Opera, Mozart’s The Magic Flute gets the silent-movie treatment |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
When is a flute not a flute? SF Opera’s ‘Magic Flute’ pipes a wild tune |
![]() |
This “The Magic Flute” excites like few other productions and should be seen for its creativity and visual magic |
![]() |
Set in the silent movie era, The Magic Flute delivers pluses and minuses in San Francisco |
![]() |
S.F. Opera’s overactive production weakens the serious side of ‘The Magic Flute’ |
![]() |
Il TrovatoreSan Francisco OperaNo. of reviews: 8 | ![]() ![]() |
Unis par le sang, divisés par la haine |
![]() |
Do let us congratulate San Francisco Opera for assembling a full cast of equally excellent singers |
![]() |
A rousing, richly dramatic performance of “Il Trovatore” |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
A compelling cast |
![]() |
Got to get you into my strife |
![]() |
SF Opera presents a well-sung, well-staged production with a potent cast |
![]() |
The ladies lead in SF Opera’s Il trovatore |
![]() |
Returning soprano is a dazzler in S.F. Opera’s opening ‘Trovatore’ |
![]() |
L'elisir d'amoreSan Francisco OperaNo. of reviews: 8 | ![]() ![]() |
Love potion no. 8 1/2 |
![]() |
Donizetti’s delightful, ‘must see’ “Elixir of Love” starring Pene Pati and Slatka Zamecnikova |
![]() |
SF Opera’s ‘The Elixir of Love’ presents case for resuscitating problematic ‘classics’ |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
A high-level cast and ‘La Dolce Vita’ setting charm from the get-go in San Francisco Opera’s The Elixir of Love |
![]() |
A pretty picture all around. Correct and tidy. Another gold star on the roster |
![]() |
L’elisir d’amore meets La dolce vita at SF Opera |
![]() |
The production’s many pantomime moments made it seem so very Brighton Beach |
![]() |
S.F. Opera’s ‘Elixir’ is a bundle of comedic charm |
![]() |
OmarSan Francisco OperaNo. of reviews: 10 | ![]() ![]() |
Unspeakably sad yet somehow uplifting |
![]() |
Rhiannon Giddens’s Omar at SFO tugs at the emotions with resonant music and images |
![]() |
Tenor Jamez McCorkle was superbly voiced as Omar |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
‘Omar’ is pretty to look at, but opera treats slavery with kid gloves |
![]() |
Scholarly pursuits |
![]() |
‘Omar,’ operatic portrait of an enslaved scholar, proves staying power |
![]() |
Omar ibn Said’s reckoning and reconciliation between the forces of darkness and light |
![]() |
San Francisco Opera’s extraordinary ‘Omar’ a bold new American work |
![]() |
Omar triumphs (again) in its San Francisco Opera premiere |
![]() |
S.F. Opera’s ‘Omar’ offers a vague, unfocused portrait of American slavery and its legacy |
![]() |
LohengrinSan Francisco OperaNo. of reviews: 7 | ![]() ![]() |
A musically, visually satisfying “Lohengrin” |
![]() |
Close to radiance |
![]() |
Eun Sun Kim established firm musical control from the first whispered sounds of the prelude |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
Swan’s weh |
![]() |
Debuts power a magnificent Lohengrin at SF Opera |
![]() |
SF Opera and conductor Eun Sun Kim deliver a riveting Lohengrin |
![]() |
Eun Sun Kim makes her mark with S.F. Opera’s musically splendid new ‘Lohengrin’ |
![]() |
associated articles [+]
Simon O’Neill: Heldentenor to the world
Simon O’Neill, a heldentenor who will play the title role in Richard Wagner’s Lohengrin at San Francisco Opera Oct. 15 – Nov. 1, was born and grew up on New Zealand’s South Island.
Simon O’Neill, a heldentenor who will play the title role in Richard Wagner’s Lohengrin at San Francisco Opera Oct. 15 – Nov. 1, was born and grew up on New Zealand’s South Island.
The (R)evolution of Steve JobsSan Francisco OperaNo. of reviews: 12 | ![]() ![]() |
Aural splendor permeates composer Mason Bates’ revised “(R)evolution of Steve Jobs” |
![]() |
‘(R)evolution’ revisited: Steve Jobs opera gets a compelling renewa |
![]() |
The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs, l’Opéra de San Francisco rend hommage à l'inventeur californien |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs in San Francisco (finally) |
![]() |
The singing itself was not what made this opera stirring |
![]() |
Die San Francisco Opera gedenkt Steve Jobs - dem genialen Erfinder und komplexen Menschen aus Kalifornien |
![]() |
Think different |
![]() |
In the Steve Jobs opera, 'genius' remains inscrutable |
![]() |
A dazzling new opera at SFO explores the other side of Steve Jobs |
![]() |
S.F. Opera’s brilliant ‘Jobs’ brings a problematic figure to musical life |
![]() |
John Moore and Sasha Cooke made a dramatic, convincing couple as Steve and Laurene Powell Jobs |
![]() |
Powerful ‘Steve Jobs’ makes impressive local debut at SF Opera |
![]() |
Madama ButterflySan Francisco OperaNo. of reviews: 7 | ![]() ![]() |
Madama Butterfly e i ricordi di Dolore |
![]() |
A “Second Look” Review: Amon Miyamoto’s Insightful Production of “Madama Butterfly” |
![]() |
Looking for Trouble |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
A fresh Madama Butterfly takes wing at San Francisco Opera |
![]() |
Karah Son, Michael Fabiano lead brilliant cast in Amon Miyamoto’s fascinating production of “Madama Butterfly” |
![]() |
Conductor Eun Sun Kim, as is her usual want, imposed a huge orchestral presence onto the production |
![]() |
SF Opera’s Madama Butterfly gets its lift from the singers |
![]() |
El Ultimo Sueño de Frida y DiegoSan Francisco OperaNo. of reviews: 13 | ![]() |
SF Opera’s ‘Frida y Diego’ was a bold step into another world |
![]() |
Daniela Mack shines in a visually stunning production lacking in depth |
![]() |
San Francisco Opera al War Memorial Opera House sdogana l'opera in spagnolo |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
The devil’s advocate: Frida and Diego color the San Francisco Opera |
![]() |
Visually, El Último Sueño offres a pageantry of shifting colors and shapes |
![]() |
The opera’s lavish and inventive production was directed by Mexican director Lorena Maza |
![]() |
Returning to the living world |
![]() |
A riveting new Spanish language work |
![]() |
SF Opera has a winner with Frida y Diego |
![]() |
New opera brings magical dreams of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera to colorful life |
![]() |
In San Francisco, a week of destination opera |
![]() |
Daniela Mack found Frida’s brashness, her confidence and her vulnerability in a strongly sung performance |
![]() |
San Francisco Opera’s ‘El último sueño de Frida y Diego’ a riveting new Spanish language work |
![]() |
Die Frau ohne SchattenSan Francisco OperaNo. of reviews: 11 | ![]() ![]() |
Successo per Die Frau ohne Schatten |
![]() |
Striking visuals counter dated plot in ‘Die Frau ohne Schatten’ at SF Opera |
![]() |
A colorful, brilliantly performed "Frau ohne Schatten" |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
In San Francisco, a week of destination opera |
![]() |
A thrilling Frau ohne Schatten delivers the goods in San Francisco |
![]() |
associated articles [+]
Die Frau ohne Schatten returns to San Francisco in 2023
In a post-Roe world, an upcoming S.F. Opera show stands on the wrong side of the debate.
In a post-Roe world, an upcoming S.F. Opera show stands on the wrong side of the debate.
![San Francisco Opera - San Francisco](/img/operacompanies/sfo.jpg)
Reviews search
Performance schedule
Mozart
30 May to 30 Jun 2024
Handel
15 to 28 Jun 2024
Verdi
6 to 27 Sep 2024
Ruders
14 Sep to 1 Oct 2024
Wagner
19 Oct to 5 Nov 2024
Bizet
13 Nov to 1 Dec 2024
Puccini
3 to 21 Jun 2025
Mozart
14 to 25 Jun 2025
News & Articles
SF Opera makes big plans in small numbers for 2024–2025 |
The 2024–2025 schedule will see the continuation of Music Director Eun Sun Kim’s signature Verdi-Wagner initiative, a company premiere, and the return of repertory favorites. |
![]() |
When it comes to S.F. Opera, Eun Sun Kim is taking the long view |
One of Eun Sun Kim’s stated goals as music director of the San Francisco Opera has been to keep the music of Wagner and Verdi at the center of the repertoire. |
![]() |
S.F. Opera announces its 2023-24 season |
The San Francisco Opera plans to launch its second century with a 2023-24 season featuring the highest proportion of contemporary work in its history, alongside an array of familiar works by Verdi, Wagner and others. |
![]() |
S.F. Opera awards company medal to three longtime artists |
Mezzo-soprano Catherine Cook and bass-baritones Philip Skinner and Dale Travis received the San Francisco Opera Medal, the company’s highest honor. |
![]() |
Looking back at memorable moments in design at San Francisco Opera |
In a genre rich with passionate romances, vengeful feuds, mythical creatures and three-hankie tragedies, the right costumes, sets and overall concept can make or break a production. |
![]() |