San Francisco Opera - San Francisco
29 March 2024

Company search

click here for more photos for
this opera company
Click below for
production 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
Dialogues des Carmelites

San Francisco Opera


No. of reviews: 8

San Francisco Opera hits all the right notes in a stunning Dialogues of the Carmelites
30 Oct 22 / Seen and Heard
“Dialogues of the Carmelites” returns to San Francisco Opera in Olivier Py’s dark, theatrically absorbing production
29 Oct 22 / Opera Warhorses
A study in simplicity and profundity
25 Oct 22 / parterre box
Director Py and his designer Pierre-André Weitz have created a theater world that is dark and frightening
21 Oct 22 / Opera Today
In Dialogues of the Carmelites, faith and doubt take center stage
19 Oct 22 / San Francisco Classical Voice
A story of mystery and faith makes a triumphant return to S.F. Opera
17 Oct 22 / San Francisco Chronicle
Eugene Onegin

San Francisco Opera


No. of reviews: 7

A disappointing portrayal of Tchaikovsky’s iconic work
23 Oct 22 / OperaWire
Robert Carsen’s production of “Eugene Onegin”, admirably performed
15 Oct 22 / Opera Warhorses
Symphonic excess in a spiritless exposition of Tchaikovsky’s sacrifice of youthful love
1 Oct 22 / Opera Today
Robert Carsen's legendary production of Eugene Onegin finally arrives in San Francisco
29 Sep 22 / parterre box
A lukewarm Eugene Onegin at San Francisco Opera
28 Sep 22 / Seen and Heard
SF Opera’s Eugene Onegin has a few distinctions, some problems
28 Sep 22 / San Francisco Classical Voice
Russian opera gets an awkward S.F. comeback with ‘Eugene Onegin’
27 Sep 22 / San Francisco Chronicle
A timeless take on a classic Russian opera (and novel)
The world of opera benefits when Peter McClintock recharges, as he will when he restages Robert Carsen’s Eugene Onegin for San Francisco Opera.
Antony and Cleopatra

San Francisco Opera


No. of reviews: 14

There is much to admire in San Francisco Opera’s production of Adams’ “Antony and Cleopatra”
1 Oct 22 / Opera Warhorses
Shakespeare nostro contemporaneo
28 Sep 22 / Diapason
This San Francisco premiere is but the initial exposition of a potential masterpiece
27 Sep 22 / Opera Today
Adams’ ‘Antony and Cleopatra’ opera no resume-builder
24 Sep 22 / The Reporter
Age cannot wither the composer as he takes on Shakespeare's Egyptian dish
22 Sep 22 / Limelight
Going hard for the Bard: SF Opera’s jaw-dropping ‘Antony and Cleopatra’
22 Sep 22 / 48hills
Classic example
20 Sep 22 / parterre box
John Adams’ Opera Antony and Cleopatra tries to outdo Shakespeare
20 Sep 22 / The Berkeley Daily Planet
John Adams’ Antony and Cleopatra delivers a punch in its world premiere at San Francisco Opera
18 Sep 22 / Seen and Heard
In John Adams’ new ‘Antony and Cleopatra’ opera, the orchestra is the star
17 Sep 22 / Los Angeles Times
Our critic’s soliloquy on a Shakespearean opera by John Adams: ‘Meh’
17 Sep 22 / Classical Voice North America
Antony and Cleopatra scores triumph in SF Opera debut
14 Sep 22 / San Francisco Classical Voice
In ‘Antony and Cleopatra,’ John Adams goes conventional
12 Sep 22 / New York Times
John Adams faces down Shakespeare in powerful ‘Antony and Cleopatra’ and shines
12 Sep 22 / San Francisco Chronicle
Amina Edris comes into her own with Cleopatra
When she originates the role of an Egyptian queen in John Adam’s new opera Antony and Cleopatra for San Francisco Opera, it will be a full circle moment for Amina Edris.
Dream of the Red Chamber

San Francisco Opera


No. of reviews: 8

‘Red Chamber,’ an epic Chinese novel, proves classic stuff of opera
2 Jul 22 / Classical Voice North America
Dream on
28 Jun 22 / parterre box
A wondrous philosophical exploration anchored by star performances from Konu Kim and Meigui Zhang
25 Jun 22 / OperaWire
A pleasing revival
25 Jun 22 / Opera Warhorses
‘Red Chamber,’ Chinese epic of life’s illusion, scatters its petals anew
25 Jun 22 / Classical Voice North America
Strong cast, striking visuals and beautiful finish lift San Francisco Opera’s Dream of the Red Chamber revival
17 Jun 22 / Seen and Heard
Dream of the Red Chamber returns to the War Memorial Opera House
17 Jun 22 / San Francisco Classical Voice
‘Red Chamber’ returns to S.F. Opera with its power and drawbacks intact
16 Jun 22 / San Francisco Chronicle
All-Asian cast revives ‘Dream of the Red Chamber’ at S.F. Opera
Beginning Tuesday, June 14, Meigui Zhang will take on the role of Dai Yu in the San Francisco Opera’s seven-performance revival of “Dream of the Red Chamber.”
Don Giovanni

San Francisco Opera


No. of reviews: 11

Mozart’s rake prowls crumbling society in futuristic ‘Don Giovanni’
2 Jul 22 / Classical Voice North America
Étienne Dupuis, Luca Pisaroni, Adela Zaharia, Nicole Car shine in Mozart’s masterpiece
24 Jun 22 / OperaWire
Don Giovanni nel futuro
23 Jun 22 / L'Ape musicale
Dupuis and Pisaroni lead international cast for Michael Cavanagh’s new “Don Giovanni” production
18 Jun 22 / Opera Warhorses
San Francisco Opera’s Don Giovanni sounds great but looks puzzling
15 Jun 22 / Seen and Heard
It feels like this production is simply trying too hard, a distinctly non-Mozartean trait
14 Jun 22 / Operaville
Aspirational casting
13 Jun 22 / Opera Today
Those monsters look like us
11 Jun 22 / parterre box
Don Giovanni faces an apocalypse at SF Opera
8 Jun 22 / San Francisco Classical Voice
SF Opera’s misguided Mozart-Da Ponte trilogy ends in shambles with Don Giovanni
8 Jun 22 / The Berkeley Daily Planet
S.F. Opera sets a muddled ‘Don Giovanni’ in an American dystopia
6 Jun 22 / San Francisco Chronicle
Meet the Don
An interview with baritone Etienne Dupuis.
Così fan tutte

San Francisco Opera


No. of reviews: 6

Nicole Cabell, Irene Roberts, Ben Bliss and company shine in dazzling new production
28 Nov 21 / OperaWire
Nicely sung, imaginatively staged
27 Nov 21 / Opera Warhorses
Let’s twist again
25 Nov 21 / parterre box
SF Opera’s country club Così fan tutte deftly probes deeper emotions
24 Nov 21 / San Francisco Classical Voice
San Francisco Opera’s fresh and winning take on Così fan tutte
24 Nov 21 / Seen and Heard
A magnificent new ‘Così fan tutte’ at S.F. Opera embraces joy and heartbreak
23 Nov 21 / San Francisco Chronicle
Fidelio

San Francisco Opera


No. of reviews: 8

Elza van den Heever and Russell Thomas lead wondrous rendition of Beethoven’s ‘Cri de Coeur’
4 Nov 21 / OperaWire
Soprano Elza van den Heever shone as the Fidelio of your dreams
23 Oct 21 / Opera Today
A memorable experience
23 Oct 21 / Opera Warhorses
The big cube
20 Oct 21 / parterre box
SF Opera’s Fidelio is more than worth the wait
19 Oct 21 / San Francisco Classical Voice
A well-thought-out production with an outstanding cast
17 Oct 21 / Broadway World
Elza van den Heever, Matthew Ozawa and Eun Sun Kim bring distinction and glory to SFO’s new Fidelio
17 Oct 21 / Seen and Heard
S.F. Opera’s new ‘Fidelio’ uses chain-link fences and video monitors in a political parable
16 Oct 21 / San Francisco Chronicle
Tosca

San Francisco Opera


No. of reviews: 5

Ailyn Pérez , Michael Fabiano, Alfred Walker and Soloman Howard excel in a memorable “Tosca”
18 Sep 21 / Opera Warhorses
San Francisco Opera reopens with Puccini’s Tosca
5 Sep 21 / The Berkeley Daily Planet
Eun Sun Kim led a Tosca of unusual colors and accents
24 Aug 21 / San Francisco Classical Voice
SF Opera returns to War Memorial with fittingly impassioned ‘Tosca’
23 Aug 21 / San Francisco Examiner
S.F. Opera returns on a grand scale with ‘Tosca’ to delight vaccinated crowd
23 Aug 21 / San Francisco Chronicle
Surprise marriage proposal adds sparkle to ‘Tosca’ closer
Bass Soloman Howard proposed marriage to soprano Ailyn Pérez during the curtain call at San Francisco Opera’s final production of “Tosca” on September 5.
On pandemics and parapets
Soprano Ailyn Pérez talks about Tosca and tough times.
Il barbiere di Siviglia

San Francisco Opera


No. of reviews: 8

SF Opera outdoors: Rossini gets big stage as ‘Barber’ gets a trim
8 May 21 / Classical Voice North America
Rossini at the drive-in, as San Francisco Opera returns
1 May 21 / New York Times
It is jaw-dropping grand opera by all standards
29 Apr 21 / Opera Today
San Francisco Opera does Rossini’s Barber live at the drive-in
27 Apr 21 / Seen and Heard
SF Opera’s live Barber of Seville creates delight out of necessity
27 Apr 21 / San Francisco Classical Voice
With a joyful, compressed ‘Barber’ production, S.F. Opera restarts live performance at last
25 Apr 21 / San Francisco Chronicle
The sound of cacophonous car horns was most welcome at the end of the performance
25 Apr 21 / Broadway World
San Francisco Opera’s clever ‘Barber’ lights up the drive-in
25 Apr 21 / San Francisco Examiner
Manon Lescaut

San Francisco Opera


No. of reviews: 8

San Francisco Opera’s magnificent “Manon Lescaut”: A second look
7 Dec 19 / Opera Warhorses
Strangers when we meet
19 Nov 19 / parterre box
Lianna Haroutounian is in her vocal prime, may it endure for years to come
16 Nov 19 / Opera Today
A passionate “Manon Lescaut” led by Luisotti, Haroutounian and Jagde
16 Nov 19 / Opera Warhorses
Manon Lescaut pits love against money (and neither wins)
13 Nov 19 / San Francisco Classical Voice
Overall, San Francisco Opera’s “Manon Lescaut” came through, and rose to a moving finale
12 Nov 19 / OperaWire
Favorite principals appeal in San Francisco Opera’s ‘Manon Lescaut’
11 Nov 19 / San Francisco Examiner
A party girl gets her comeuppance
10 Nov 19 / San Francisco Chronicle
Hansel und Gretel

San Francisco Opera


No. of reviews: 7

A new “family friendly” production first seen last holiday season at London’s Royal Opera House
23 Nov 19 / Opera Today
A “must see” San Francisco Opera production of “Hansel and Gretel”
23 Nov 19 / Opera Warhorses
Grimm and proper
20 Nov 19 / parterre box
Sasha Cooke and Heidi Stober shine in Disney-fied take on classic tale
20 Nov 19 / OperaWire
SF Opera’s Hansel and Gretel is a visual delight
19 Nov 19 / San Francisco Classical Voice
The kids come out on top in SF Opera’s charming ‘Hansel and Gretel’
17 Nov 19 / San Francisco Chronicle
SF Opera sets holiday mood with gentler, charming ‘Hansel and Gretel’
17 Nov 19 / San Francisco Examiner
Le nozze di Figaro

San Francisco Opera


No. of reviews: 9

Take care of this house
23 Oct 19 / parterre box
San Francisco Opera rolled out the first installment of its new Mozart/DaPonte trilogy ... to lively if mixed result
21 Oct 19 / Opera Today
Arresting new production for “Marriage of Figaro”
19 Oct 19 / Opera Warhorses
SF Opera’s Figaro is early American: Susanna with fife
19 Oct 19 / Classical Voice North America
An American Figaro in San Francisco — and it works
16 Oct 19 / Seen and Heard
Jeanin De Bique, Serena Malfi, Nicole Heaston lead fantastic cast in Mozart’s masterpiece
15 Oct 19 / OperaWire
SF Opera’s new Figaro sets the mind soaring
15 Oct 19 / San Francisco Classical Voice
The racial fault lines in opera
Casting of San Francisco Opera’s ‘Figaro’ lays bare the racial fault lines in opera.
All-American Figaro inaugurates SF Opera trilogy
The idea to link the three Mozart/Da Ponte operas — Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni, and Così fan tutte, — didn’t come to director Michael Cavanaugh in a flash; it was a little more gradual.
A voice to be heard
A conversation With Jeanine De Bique.
<< back | next >>
Reviews search
Use this search to find historical reviews in our database
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