With little lag time between a hectic summer and new fall season, San Francisco Opera is launching the first productions fully programmed (with one exception) by the administration of General Director Matthew Shilvock. The debris from burning down the house during three summertime "Ring" cycles has been cleared for the upcoming gala. The most famous operatic double bill of all time will ignite new flames starting Sept. 7, when verismo shockers "Cavalleria Rusticana" and "Pagliacci" open the 96th season.
All productions are new to the War Memorial Opera House, described by Shilvock as thematically divided between fairy tale operas with messages and works of "pure unadulterated emotion." Each is meant to "speak to the heart." Old associations are spread throughout cast and crew listings, but fresh talent and promising introductions are included. There is diversity, some colorblind casting and a woman will be seen on the podium: South Korean rising star Eun Sun Kim. Of the eight conducting assignments, six spotlight mainstage season debuts. The hunt for a new music director is on.
A preview of Summer 2019 will appear later. Curious newcomers, veteran opera-lovers and ardent opera queens can focus, for now, on the exciting array of fall offerings. Single tickets went on sale in June for a special one-performance-only concert featuring superstar Placido Domingo with Ana Maria Martinez, Arturo Chacon-Cruz, and conductor Jordi Bernacer. They sold out fast, but seats and packages remain for everything else.
Mascagni's sensational "Cavalleria Rusticana" (big tunes, big feelings) and Leoncavallo's shocking tearjerker "Pagliacci," staged by Argentinian tenor-turned-director Jose Cura, have been moved to the Italian barrio of Buenos Aires. Mezzo-soprano Ekaterina Semenchuk returns after her fine Amneris in "Aida" to sing Santuzza in "Cav," and soprano Lianna Haroutounian returns from previous SFO successes in Puccini to portray Nedda in "Pag." She faces tenor Marco Berti as her betrayed husband Canio, the original scary clown. (Sept. 7-30)
It would be hard to think of anything better to capture the imaginations of opera neophytes, but if a slightly less feverish drama filled with bel canto pyrotechnics is wanted, Donizetti's "Roberto Devereux" might be just the ticket. The story of Queen Elizabeth I's tempestuous relationship with Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, hasn't been staged here for almost 40 years. British director Stephen Lawless reunites stars of 2014's "Norma," with "reigning diva" soprano Sondra Radvanovsky portraying Elisabetta, acclaimed mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton making her role debut as Sara, and powerful tenor Russell Thomas also making his role debut as the title character. (Sept. 8-27)
The time is ripe for a spanking new "Tosca," Puccini's guilty pleasure that early established the SFO brand. The latest incarnation, set in designer Robert Innes Hopkins' striking red-hued color scheme, stars international and local favorite Brian Jagde as Cavaradossi and baritone Scott Hendricks as big bad Baron Scarpia. Making her Company and role debuts, glamorous Italian soprano Carmen Giannattasio is Tosca. Her looks (ambassador for Bulgari Jewelry) and thrilling voice fulfill the image of a passionate diva. British conductor Leo Hussain makes his SFO debut. (Oct. 3-30)
The General Director adds one of his favorite composers to the season with Richard Strauss' lyrical "Arabella." Director Tim Albery, famous for his triumphant open-air staging of "Peter Grimes" on a beach, moves indoors to make his SFO debut. Company veterans Ellie Dehn (a lovely "Manon"), Brian Mulligan (superb as "Sweeney Todd"), Heidi Stober (the vixenish Norina in "Don Pasquale") and Michaela Martens (unforgettable as Klytemnestra in "Elektra") fill the main roles. German conductor Marc Albrecht, chief conductor of the Dutch National Opera, makes his SFO debut. (Oct. 16-Nov. 3)
The West Coast Premiere of Jake Heggie and Gene Scheer's "It's a Wonderful Life," co-commissioned by SFO during David Gockley's tenure, arrives in time for the holidays. Matthew Shilvock calls them one of modern opera's best artistic partnerships, and their heartwarming and insightful story of a man on the brink arrives with revisions after the world premiere. There is no sugar-coating, but the message of hope remains. American tenor William Burden returns to SFO following appearances in the world premieres of "The Gospel of Mary Magdalene" and "Heart of a Soldier." He was convincing as Laca in 2016's "Jenufa." Singing the iconic role of George Bailey; Burden offers another opportunity to appreciate his impressive range. Angel Second Class Clara, waiting centuries for a chance to earn her wings and get a promotion, will be portrayed by two young sopranos making their SFO debuts. Originally from South Africa, Golda Schultz sings most performances. American soprano Kearstin Piper Brown appears on Dec. 9.
Baritone Rod Gilfry has traveled far and wide since he blew the roof off the War Memorial as Stanley Kowalski in the 1998 premiere of Andre Previn's "A Streetcar Named Desire." He makes a welcome return as George Bailey's nemesis Mr. Potter (#6 on AFI's list of the 50 Greatest Villains in American film history). Director Leonard Foglia re-teams with choreographer Keturah Stickann for another Jake Heggie opera. Their brilliant work on "Moby Dick" (2012) was supported by conductor Patrick Summers, who returns to lead "It's a Wonderful Life." (Nov. 17-Dec. 9)
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