| San Francisco Opera - San Francisco | 19 May 2024 |
click here for a gallery of photos from recent productions
click here for more photos for
Click below forproduction trailers
L'elisir d'amore
Omar
Lohengrin
The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs
Il Trovatore
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 | 
Photo gallery
|
Production details
|
Video link
|
Der Ring des NibelungenSan Francisco OperaNo. of reviews: 32 | |
Full cycle: Wagner’s Ring an overwhelming marathon of music |
 22 Jul 18 / The Toronto Star |
Götterdämmerung: Theorin, Brenna triumphant in Zambello’s “Götterdämmerung” |
| 7 Jul 18 / Opera Warhorses |
Siegfried: An heroic, passionate “Siegfried” |
| 7 Jul 18 / Opera Warhorses |
more reviews [+]
Die Walküre: Francesca Zambello’s Iconic “Walküre” |
| 30 Jun 18 / Opera Warhorses |
Siegfried: A gritty Siegfried continues the San Francisco Opera Ring |
| 26 Jun 18 / Bachtrack |
Segfried/Götterdämmerung: Why SF Opera’s ‘Ring’ festival has been a stunning revelation |
| 26 Jun 18 / Mercury News |
Götterdämmerung: The Zambello Ring is big, and particularly Götterdämmerung is huge |
| 25 Jun 18 / Opera Today |
Siegfried: A Ring given truly rich life by conductor Donald Runnicles and the San Francisco Opera Orchestra |
| 25 Jun 18 / Opera Today |
Full cycle: Revived staging, revivified concept sharpen S.F. Ring |
| 23 Jun 18 / Classical Voice North America |
Das Rheingold: Another Zambello Ring cycle begins |
| 23 Jun 18 / Opera Warhorses |
Die Walküre: Valkyries parachute into San Francisco |
| 23 Jun 18 / Bachtrack |
Das Rheingold: A strong start for San Francisco Opera's Ring |
| 21 Jun 18 / Bachtrack |
Full cycle: Runnicles and musicians deliver thrills in Zambello’s San Francisco Ring |
| 20 Jun 18 / Seen and Heard |
Götterdämerung: SF Opera’s Ring cycle ends with a whimper |
| 20 Jun 18 / The Berkeley Daily Planet |
Siegfried: Wagner’s Siegfried is hard to take |
| 20 Jun 18 / The Berkeley Daily Planet |
Full cycle: S.F. Opera's Ring still resonates |
| 20 Jun 18 / San Francisco Classical Voice |
Die Walküre/Siegfried/Götterdämmerung: SF Opera completes triumphant ‘Ring’ again |
| 20 Jun 18 / San Francisco Examiner |
Götterdämmerung: Zambello's finely-judged Ring goes up in flames leaving the women to inherit what's left of the earth |
| 20 Jun 18 / Limelight |
Siegfried: A gripping production and fine acting count for much, but this Siegfried is still holding out for a hero |
| 20 Jun 18 / Limelight |
Siegfried: Youth and age battle it out in SF Opera’s brilliantly vivid ‘Siegfried’ |
| 19 Jun 18 / San Francisco Chronicle |
Götterdämmerung: With a fiery inferno, SF Opera’s ‘Götterdämmerung’ concludes a magnificent ‘Ring’ revival |
| 19 Jun 18 / San Francisco Chronicle |
Die Walküre: Die Walküre reaches the Ring's high point |
| 17 Jun 18 / The Berkeley Daily Planet |
Das Rheingold: The Ring, or Wagner as scam artist |
| 17 Jun 18 / The Berkeley Daily Planet |
Die Walküre: A strongly cast production with real gravitas makes for a very fine second instalment in Wagner's Ring cycle |
| 15 Jun 18 / Limelight |
Das Rheingold: A finely cast Rheingold makes an appropriately glittering start to Zambello's 'American' Ring |
| 15 Jun 18 / Limelight |
Die Walküre: San Francisco’s Ring ripped relentlessly into the shredded emotional lives of its gods and mortals |
| 15 Jun 18 / Opera Today |
Die Walküre: Iréne Theorin steps in as a dazzling Brünnhilde in SF Opera’s ‘Walküre’ |
| 15 Jun 18 / San Francisco Chronicle |
Das Rheingold/Die Walküre: Wagner’s mighty ‘Ring’ rocks the house at San Francisco’s War Memorial Opera House |
| 15 Jun 18 / Mercury News |
Das Rheingold: Wagner’s cumbersome nineteenth century mythology began unfolding last night here in Bayreuth-by-the-Bay |
| 14 Jun 18 / Opera Today |
Das Rheingold: SF Opera launches ‘Ring’ with shimmering ‘Rheingold’ |
| 14 Jun 18 / San Francisco Examiner |
Das Rheingold: Conductor Donald Runnicles is lord of the ‘Ring’ at SF Opera’s ‘Rheingold’ |
| 14 Jun 18 / San Francisco Chronicle |
associated articles [+]
The 150 years of urgency
'The Ring of the Nibelung' at San Francisco Opera. An interview with visionary director Francesca Zambello.
'The Ring of the Nibelung' at San Francisco Opera. An interview with visionary director Francesca Zambello.
New special effects for the Ring Cycle at S.F. Opera
"Lots of changes have been made to the production,” says Jeffery McMillan, senior communications manager at S.F. Opera. “Everything works on a new system, with one ‘mission control’ computer.”
"Lots of changes have been made to the production,” says Jeffery McMillan, senior communications manager at S.F. Opera. “Everything works on a new system, with one ‘mission control’ computer.”
In the Ring with Iréne Theorin
Fresh from a successful Ring Cycle in Vienna in April, Iréne Theorin is unexpectedly filling out her summer with a full complement of Brünnhildes at San Francisco Opera’s Ring Cycle.
Fresh from a successful Ring Cycle in Vienna in April, Iréne Theorin is unexpectedly filling out her summer with a full complement of Brünnhildes at San Francisco Opera’s Ring Cycle.
Evelyn Herlitzius pulls out of SF Opera 'Ring'
Evelyn Herlitzius, who was to make her San Francisco Opera debut as Brünnhilde in Wagner’s “Ring” Cycle in June, has withdrawn from the production for health reasons. She will be replaced by Iréne Theorin.
Evelyn Herlitzius, who was to make her San Francisco Opera debut as Brünnhilde in Wagner’s “Ring” Cycle in June, has withdrawn from the production for health reasons. She will be replaced by Iréne Theorin.
Catching up with Evelyn Herlitzius
Anyone who has witnessed a live performance by soprano Evelyn Herlitzius or seen her on DVD is likely to come away with at least one common impression of her: intensity.
Anyone who has witnessed a live performance by soprano Evelyn Herlitzius or seen her on DVD is likely to come away with at least one common impression of her: intensity.
Ring resounds 'round town
As Ring fever heats up, S.F. Opera reaches out with surprising and fun new ancillary programs.
As Ring fever heats up, S.F. Opera reaches out with surprising and fun new ancillary programs.
TurandotSan Francisco OperaNo. of reviews: 17 | |
San Francisco Opera wrapped up its 95th fall opera season just now with a bang up Turandot |
| 14 Dec 17 / Opera Today |
A Turandot to remember in San Francisco |
| 7 Dec 17 / Bachtrack |
Second time around, Turandot even better in San Francisco |
| 30 Nov 17 / Seen and Heard |
more reviews [+]
Stemme, Crocetto, Howard join cast |
| 25 Nov 17 / Opera Warhorses |
Exquisite Nina Stemme, Leah Crocetto, Brian Jagde lead socially relevant interpretation of Puccini masterwork |
| 21 Nov 17 / OperaWire |
Stemme headlines a glorious ‘Turandot’ revival at SF Opera |
| 20 Nov 17 / South Florida Gay News |
A second look |
| 7 Oct 17 / Opera Warhorses |
Homicidal princesses Elektra and Turandot at SF Opera |
| 25 Sep 17 / SFist |
Nicola Luisotti triggered timeless lyricism into the Puccini’s sonically massive score |
| 18 Sep 17 / Opera Today |
Sonic splendor, visual delight |
| 16 Sep 17 / Opera Warhorses |
Hockney’s Turandot returns, vigorously refreshed |
| 15 Sep 17 / Seen and Heard |
A real fairy tale in the bay area led by Martina Serafin and Brian Jagde |
| 15 Sep 17 / OperaWire |
A colorful Turandot opens the San Francisco Opera season |
| 14 Sep 17 / Bachtrack |
S.F. Opera’s Turandot is still stunning |
| 13 Sep 17 / San Francisco Classical Voice |
This is a man’s world |
| 12 Sep 17 / parterre box |
SF Opera’s ‘Turandot’ takes flight toward the end |
| 10 Sep 17 / San Francisco Chronicle |
Vivid, commanding S.F. Opera ‘Turandot’ |
| 10 Sep 17 / San Francisco Examiner |
associated articles [+]
More questions for the Calaf
A conversation with Brian Jagde.
A conversation with Brian Jagde.
Girls of the Golden WestSan Francisco OperaNo. of reviews: 16 | |
John Adams’s Girls of the Golden West fails to find the mother lode |
| 13 Dec 17 / San Francisco Classical Voice |
Golden wreck |
| 12 Dec 17 / parterre box |
World premiere by John Adams and Peter Sellars |
| 4 Dec 17 / Berkshire Fine Arts |
more reviews [+]
John Adams’ eighth opera takes his now astonishing sonic and dramatic vocabulary to ever greater depths |
| 1 Dec 17 / Opera Today |
It offers a richly imagined score, a libretto drawn from historical sources, and an affectingly staged production |
| 28 Nov 17 / Opera News |
Where to look for treasure in California's new gold rush? Try John Adams' new opera |
| 27 Nov 17 / Los Angeles Times |
Too much pyrite, not enough gold in Adams world premiere |
| 27 Nov 17 / Seen and Heard |
Mining for gold: new Adams opera finds darker veins |
| 25 Nov 17 / Classical Voice North America |
John Adams’s opera offers an arresting vision of California during the gold rush |
| 25 Nov 17 / Financial Times |
John Adams’ new opera proves there’s gold in them thar girls |
| 24 Nov 17 / Limelight |
John Adams’ latest work thrills in Act Two, though opera as whole lacks cohesion |
| 23 Nov 17 / OperaWire |
The dark side of the gold: John Adams Girls of the Golden West gets its world première in San Francisco |
| 23 Nov 17 / Bachtrack |
‘Girls of the Golden West’ is nothing like your high school history book |
| 23 Nov 17 / KQED |
S.F. Opera’s ‘Girls of the Golden West’ rich with talent |
| 23 Nov 17 / San Francisco Examiner |
Eureka! Triumphant new John Adams Gold Rush opera premieres in SF |
| 23 Nov 17 / Mercury News |
With ‘Girls,’ S.F. Opera pans for gold and comes up empty. |
| 23 Nov 17 / San Francisco Chronicle |
associated articles [+]
John Adams seeks gold with a California opera
John Adams and Peter Sellars’s Girls of the Golden West is set to open at the San Francisco Opera this week.
John Adams and Peter Sellars’s Girls of the Golden West is set to open at the San Francisco Opera this week.
Has all of opera's gold already been mined? John Adams thinks not
Hiking in California’s gold country with John Adams, an enfant-terrible-turned-elder-statesman whose new Gold Rush opera is definitely not Puccini’s.
Hiking in California’s gold country with John Adams, an enfant-terrible-turned-elder-statesman whose new Gold Rush opera is definitely not Puccini’s.
ManonSan Francisco OperaNo. of reviews: 6 | |
The pleasure of her company |
| 23 Nov 17 / parterre box |
An exquisitely sung “Manon” with Ellie Dehn and Michael Fabiano |
| 11 Nov 17 / Opera Warhorses |
This was Fabiano’s night |
| 11 Nov 17 / Opera News |
more reviews [+]
This masterful Broussard production is not to be missed |
| 9 Nov 17 / Opera Today |
S.F. Opera’s Manon earns full marks |
| 8 Nov 17 / San Francisco Classical Voice |
Fabiano steps up to rescue a lackluster ‘Manon’ at SF Opera |
| 6 Nov 17 / San Francisco Chronicle |
associated articles [+]
Q&A Ellie Dehn
On her role debut as ‘Manon’ at the San Francisco Opera.
On her role debut as ‘Manon’ at the San Francisco Opera.
La TraviataSan Francisco OperaNo. of reviews: 8 | |
As time goes on, I realize just what you mean to me |
| 4 Oct 17 / parterre box |
A beautifully sung Traviata |
| 3 Oct 17 / Opera Today |
An engaging “La Traviata” in John Copley’s classic production |
| 30 Sep 17 / Opera Warhorses |
more reviews [+]
High-powered cast breathes life into a Traviata revival |
| 28 Sep 17 / Seen and Heard |
A sensational La Traviata |
| 28 Sep 17 / The Berkeley Daily Planet |
This Traviata shows its age |
| 27 Sep 17 / San Francisco Classical Voice |
Principal performances energize SF Opera ‘La Traviata’ revival |
| 26 Sep 17 / San Francisco Examiner |
At SF Opera, 3 strong debuts add up to a powerful ‘Traviata’ |
| 25 Sep 17 / San Francisco Chronicle |
ElektraSan Francisco OperaNo. of reviews: 12 | |
Homicidal princesses Elektra and Turandot at SF Opera |
| 25 Sep 17 / SFist |
A resounding, terrifying, brilliant Elektra |
| 20 Sep 17 / Seen and Heard |
A breathtaking Elektra at San Francisco Opera |
| 19 Sep 17 / The Berkeley Daily Planet |
more reviews [+]
Christine Goerke is in prime form vocally, and showed herself well capable of withstanding Elektra’s extended vocal tortures |
| 18 Sep 17 / Opera Today |
S.F. Opera Elektra shocks, provokes, and overwhelms |
| 16 Sep 17 / Classical Voice North America |
Goerke, Pieczonka in a gory, gloriously sung night at the museum |
| 16 Sep 17 / Opera Warhorses |
Christine Goerke is powerful in San Francisco’s ‘Elektra’ |
| 15 Sep 17 / OperaWire |
Strauss’s Elektra as it should be |
| 13 Sep 17 / San Francisco Classical Voice |
Seriously? Right in front of mycenae? |
| 12 Sep 17 / parterre box |
At the SF Opera, ‘Elektra’ and the wages of vengeance |
| 12 Sep 17 / The Reporter |
‘Elektra’ makes triumphant return to Opera House |
| 11 Sep 17 / San Francisco Examiner |
SF Opera serves up a stunning ‘Elektra’ |
| 11 Sep 17 / San Francisco Chronicle |
associated articles [+]
After vocal setbacks, a powerful new voice for Goerke
Christine Goerke almost walked away from opera, right in the middle of her career.
Christine Goerke almost walked away from opera, right in the middle of her career.
Christine Goerke takes on opera’s heavyweights
The American soprano Christine Goerke is back at San Francisco Opera to sing the title role in Richard Strauss’s Elektra, a part she has performed to great acclaim around the world.
The American soprano Christine Goerke is back at San Francisco Opera to sing the title role in Richard Strauss’s Elektra, a part she has performed to great acclaim around the world.
Elektrifying
A short opera with a big soprano.
A short opera with a big soprano.
La bohèmeSan Francisco OperaNo. of reviews: 6 | |
Busy La Bohème gives lots of light, too little heat |
| 21 Jun 17 / San Francisco Classical Voice |
Erika Grimaldi stood out as the voice of Italian opera |
| 20 Jun 17 / Opera Today |
John Caird’s magical “La Boheme” production |
| 17 Jun 17 / Opera Warhorses |
more reviews [+]
Tender emotions |
| 15 Jun 17 / Bay Area Reporter |
Artistry and love flourish in SF Opera’s ‘La Bohème’ |
| 12 Jun 17 / San Francisco Examiner |
Reviews search
Performance schedule
Mozart
30 May to 30 Jun 2024
Saariaho
1 to 21 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. |
| 21 Feb 2024 / San Francisco Classical Voice |
| 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. |
| 1 Nov 2023 / San Francisco Chronicle |
| 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. |
| 25 Jan 2023 / San Francisco Chronicle |
| 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. |
| 1 Nov 2022 / San Francisco Chronicle |
| 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. |
| 9 Sep 2022 / San Francisco Chronicle |
 |