2026–27 Season
operaparallele.org
Enter your OP era. Opera Parallèle 2026–27 Season This is the one where you try something different, discover all that live performance can be, and embrace unconventional collaborations. This season, Opera Parallèle brings together stories of identity, resilience, faith, and family, with music that moves between jazz, folk, classical, and more. It’s never the same, always evolving, but what you can expect is high drama, deep emotion, and an experience that will stay with you. Consider this your invitation to something new.
A B OU T O P ER A PARAL L È L E
We believe opera is a vibrant, living art form that must grow alongside the society it serves. We are not here to preserve opera; we are here to evolve, transform, and expand it. Born in San Francisco—a city defined by the intersection of tradition and technology—we bridge the gap between the rituals of the past and the possibilities of the future.
Drew Altizer Harvey Milk Reimagined, Cory Weaver
La Belle et la Bête, Stefan Cohen The Pigeon Keeper, Stefan Cohen
2026
OCT 15 12:30 P.M.
OCT 30– NOV 1 Honolulu, HI
NOV 8
OP on the Move HAWAI’I OPERA THEATRE The Shining (Moravec/Campbell) Conducted by Nicole Paiement, Directed by Brian Staufenbiel
3 P.M. Paul Dresher Studio, Oakland
Bullhorn Workshop Songs of Salt & Spirit: Exploring Gullah Spirituals with Dr. Lynne Morrow
NOV 14–21
SALT & SPIRIT WORLD PREMIERE (Robertson/Staufenbiel) Pre-show talk 60 minutes before each performance
4 PERFORMANCES
Z Space
NOV 15
SALT & SPIRIT ACCESSIBLE PERFORMANCE Pre-show Haptic Tour for the Blind and Visually Impaired
NOV 18
Bullhorn Workshop Stick Pounding: Rhythm of the Ancestors with Melanie DeMore
JAN 28–30
OP on the Move OPERA OMAHA The Pigeon Keeper (Hanlon/Fleischmann), Directed by Brian Staufenbiel
FEB 27
Bullhorn Event Open Rehearsal: The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
MAR 11–14
THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY WEST COAST PREMIERE (Talbot/Sheer) Pre-show talk 60 minutes before each performance
1:30 P.M., Z Space 6 P.M., Z Space
2027
Bullhorn Lecture VIRTUAL “I Heard the Angels Singing”: Listening to the Gullah Geechee People with Heather Hodges
Omaha, NE
3 PERFORMANCES
YBCA
MAR 14 1:30 P.M. YBCA
APR 1
City Club of San Francisco
THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY ACCESSIBLE PERFORMANCE Pre-show Haptic Tour for the Blind and Visually Impaired and Audio Description by Gravity Access Services ILLUMINATIONS 2027 BENEFIT DINNER Honoring Librettist Gene Scheer, Special Guest Performances by Sasha Cooke
APR 24
Bullhorn Event Open Rehearsal: Taking Up Serpents
MAY 9–16
TAKING UP SERPENTS WEST COAST PREMIERE (Sankaram/Dye) Pre-show talk 60 minutes before each performance
6 PERFORMANCES
Z Space
MAY 16
12:30 P.M., Z Space
TAKING UP SERPENTS ACCESSIBLE PERFORMANCE Pre-show Haptic Tour for the Blind and Visually Impaired
There’s more to come! Sign up for e-mail updates about additional programming at operaparallele.org. All events, dates, and times are subject to change.
WORLD PREMIERE
S S P A& I L R T I T
An Operatic Experience Rooted in Gullah Geechee Spirituals
CO-CREATED BY
Victor Ryan Robertson
Brian Staufenbiel
What do we carry from those who came before us? Opening Opera Parallèle’s 17th season, Salt & Spirit is a powerful world premiere inspired by the enduring musical traditions of the Gullah Geechee people of the Carolinas. Rooted in a rare collection of nineteenthcentury spirituals, these songs are reimagined through vibrant contemporary arrangements that weave together classical, jazz, and traditional influences. Co-created by acclaimed tenor Victor Ryan Robertson and Opera Parallèle Creative Director Brian Staufenbiel, Salt & Spirit celebrates music as a living vessel for memory, identity, and hope. Passed from generation to generation, these songs carry the stories of a people whose cultural traditions have endured, evolved, and remained a vital expression of community. Through soaring voices, evocative imagery, and spoken word, Salt & Spirit transforms this extraordinary musical legacy into an immersive theatrical experience—honoring the resilience of the Gullah Geechee people while illuminating the power of music to preserve what came before and carry it forward. Tickets: $70 General Admission
Bullhorn Community Programs
Z Space, 450 Florida Street, San Francisco
All events are free and open to the public. Advance registration is required. operaparallele.org/thebullhorn
Sat, Nov 14, 2026 at 7:30 P.M. Sun, Nov 15, 2026 at 3 P.M.† Thu, Nov 19, 2026 at 7:30 P.M. Sat, Nov 21, 2026 at 7:30 P.M. Approx. 60 minutes without intermission; sung in English
“I Heard the Angels Singing”: Listening to the Gullah Geechee People Who Inspired The Carolina Low-Country and Porgy and Bess with Heather Hodges Thursday, October 15, 2026 12:30–2 P.M. Virtual Event
Free Pre-show Talk 60 minutes before each performance. Pre-Show Haptic Tour for the Blind and Visually Impaired at 1:30 P.M. operaparallele.org/saltspirit
†
C R EATI V E T EA M
Songs of Salt & Spirit: Exploring Gullah Spirituals
Victor Ryan Robertson Original Concept, Tenor
A Song Share Experience with Dr. Lynne Morrow Sunday, November 8, 2026 3–5 P.M. Paul Dresher Studio 2201 Poplar Street, Oakland
Brian Staufenbiel Stage Director & Production Design
Clinton Smith*
Stick Pounding: Rhythm of the Ancestors
Arranger, Pianist
Led by Melanie DeMore Wednesday, November 18, 2026 6–8 P.M. Z Space 450 Florida Street, San Francisco
Jessica Ann Drayton Lighting & Projection Designer
Jay Cruz Sound Designer
* OP Debut
WEST COAST PREMIERE
COMPOSER
Joby Talbot
LIBRETTIST
Gene Scheer
Reorchestration by Ben Foskett. Chamber Orchestration Commissioned by Opera Parallèle. Presented in collaboration with YBCA.
What remains when everything else is taken away? Following the acclaimed success of Everest, Opera Parallèle reunites with composer Joby Talbot and librettist Gene Scheer for the West Coast premiere of The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. Based on the extraordinary true story of French journalist Jean-Dominique Bauby, this profoundly moving opera is a testament to resilience, imagination, and the enduring power of human connection. A new chamber orchestration by Ben Foskett brings this remarkable work into an intimate theatrical setting, drawing audiences even closer to Bauby’s inner world. As his physical voice is silenced, memory, hope, and imagination become limitless, transforming unimaginable isolation into a deeply human story of courage and communication. Conducted by Nicole Paiement with direction and concept design by Brian Staufenbiel, this unforgettable production celebrates the endurance of the human spirit and reminds us that even in silence, a single voice can change everything. Featuring an internationally acclaimed cast led by Jarrett Porter, with Sasha Cooke and Richard Croft returning to the roles they created.
TICKETS ON SALE NOVEMBER 2026 Blue Shield of California Theater at YBCA 700 Howard Street, San Francisco Thu, Mar 11, 2027 at 7:30 p.m. Sat, Mar 13, 2027 at 7:30 p.m. Sun, Mar 14, 2027 at 3 p.m.† Approx. 1 hour, 50 minutes, including one intermission Sung in English with English supertitles Tickets Start at $50 operaparallele.org/divingbell
Early concept art by Brian Staufenbiel
Free Pre-show Talks 60 minutes before each performance March 14, 1:30 P.M. Pre-show Haptic Tour and Live– Audio Described Performance for the Blind and Visually Impaired, provided by Gravity Access Services
†
Jean-Dominique Bauby
Sasha Cooke Sylvie
C R EATIV E TEAM
CAST
Jarrett Porter*
Nicole Paiement Conductor
Brian Staufenbiel Director & Production Concept
Richard Croft*
Sean Riley
Abbé Faria
Scenic Designer
Philip Skinner
David Murakami
Papinou
Projection Designer
Crystal Kim
Marcella Barbeau*
Claude
Lighting Designer
Véronique Filloux*
Alina Bokovikova
Sandrine/Mercédès
Costume Designer
Kevin Gino
Y. Sharon Peng
Doctor
Hair & Makeup Designer
Sophie Delphis
Jaco Wong
Léa/Nurse
Principal Assistant Conductor
* OP Debut
Rotimi Agbabiaka Assistant Director
Keisuke Nakagoshi Resident Pianist
Bullhorn Community Programs All events are free and open to the public. Advance registration required
Open Rehearsal February 27, 2027, at 5 P.M. Location TBD Registration opens January 2027.
More programming to be announced. Visit operaparallele.org/thebullhorn to sign up for e-mail updates.
A Life Beyond Silence After a stroke left journalist Jean-Dominique Bauby with locked-in syndrome—fully conscious but unable to move or speak—he dictated his memoir one letter at a time by blinking his left eye. His extraordinary story reveals the boundless freedom of memory, imagination, and the human spirit. Bauby, blinking, to Claude Mendibil, transcribing, 1996
Inside the Diving Bell Inventive, surreal scenic design and projections contrast the physical constraints of locked-in syndrome with the limitless vastness of Bauby’s unfettered mind—transforming his interior world into a vivid theatrical landscape.
Early concept artwork by Brian Staufenbiel for production design exploration.
Creative Compass Explore the music, poetry, and cultural touchstones that inspire Founder & Artistic Director Nicole Paiement’s preparations for The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
WEST COAST PREMIERE
COMPOSER
Kamala Sankaram
LIBRETTIST
Jerre Dye
What do we inherit—and what can we leave behind? Making its West Coast debut, Taking Up Serpents is a gripping chamber opera that explores faith, family, morality, and the pull of destiny through an electrifying, folk-inspired score by acclaimed Indian American composer Kamala Sankaram—hailed by The Washington Post as “one of the most exciting composers in the country”—and an original libretto by Jerre Dye, inspired by his family’s roots in the American South. When an unexpected call forces 25-year-old Kayla to return to the world she thought she had left behind, she finds her estranged father—a fire-and-brimstone preacher—dangerously bitten by one of his own snakes. As buried wounds resurface and long-held convictions collide, Taking Up Serpents becomes a deeply felt story of reconciliation, identity, and the enduring power of belief. Following acclaimed productions at Washington National Opera, the Glimmerglass Festival, and Chicago Opera Theater, this powerful work comes to Opera Parallèle in a striking new production directed and conceived by Brian Staufenbiel and the creative team behind Doubt (2026) and The Pigeon Keeper (2025). Nicole Paiement conducts the definitive version of the score, featuring an exceptional Bay Area cast.
TICKETS ON SALE NOVEMBER 2026
Tickets Start at $50
Z Space, 450 Florida Street, San Francisco
Approx. 75 minutes without intermission Sung in English with English supertitles
Sat, May 8, 2027 at 7:30 p.m. Sun, May 9, 2027 at 2 p.m. Wed May 12, 2027 at 7:30 p.m. Thu May 13, 2027 at 7:30 p.m. Sat May 15, 2027 at 7:30 p.m. Sun, May 16, 2027 at 2 p.m.†
Free Pre-show Talks 60 minutes before each performance † Pre-show Haptic Tour for the Blind and Visually Impaired at 12:30 P.M. operaparallele.org/serpents
Reimagining the Stage A bold new scenic design transforms Z Space’s Steindler Stage into a dynamic, multilevel environment— integrating performance space, an orchestra pit, and additional audience seating into one immersive theatrical world.
Early concept artwork by Brian Staufenbiel for production design exploration
Daddy
Christabel Nunoo Kayla
C R EATIV E TEAM
CAST
Matthew Worth
Nicole Paiement Conductor
Brian Staufenbiel Director & Production Concept
Aisha Campbell
Jacquelyn Scott
Nelda
Scenic Designer
Carmen Voskuhl
Jessica Ann Drayton
Reba/Ensemble
Lighting & Projection Designer
Phoebe Chee
Y. Sharon Peng
Customer/Ensemble
Costumes & Hair and Makeup Designer
Jonathan (JJ) Trimble
Jaco Wong
Bus Driver/Ensemble
Principal Assistant Conductor
Phaedra Tillery-Boughton Assistant Director
Keisuke Nakagoshi Resident Pianist
Creative Compass Explore the music, poetry, and cultural touchstones that inspire Founder & Artistic Director Nicole Paiement’s preparations for Taking Up Serpents.
Bullhorn Community Programs All events are free and open to the public. Advance registration is required.
Open Rehearsal April 24, 2027, at 5 P.M. Location TBD Registration opens March 2027.
More programming to be announced. Visit operaparallele.org/thebullhorn to sign up for e-mail updates.
SUPPORT OPERA PARALLÈLE Regular annual giving from individuals is the main financial foundation on which OP’s artistic excellence is built, enabling us to sustain our creative and community relationships. operaparallele.org/donate
WAYS TO GIVE
DONATE ONLINE
SEND A CHECK
GIFTS OF STOCK
Select your Giving Level and determine the frequency (one-time, weekly, monthly, quarterly, or annually)
Make checks payable to Opera Parallèle and mail to: Opera Parallèle 44 Page St., Ste 400 San Francisco, CA 94102
Donating stock is an effective way to reduce your tax liability and support OP.
LEGACY FOUNDERS CIRCLE Help secure our future by remembering Opera Parallèle in your estate plan.
INDIVIDUAL GIVING LEVELS $1,000+ Telegraph Hill Sponsor
» Special recognition as an Annual Sponsor in the program book (subject to availability, deadlines, and space limitations) » Invitation to Annual Sponsor meet & greet and open working rehearsals » Access to exclusive member content » Advance notice of special ticketed events and performance on-sale dates » Website recognition
$2,500 Russian Hill Sponsor
All Telegraph Hill benefits, plus: » Invitation to one dress rehearsal
$5,000 Nob Hill Sponsor
All Russian Hill benefits, plus: » Invitation to a company meeting with artists » Concierge ticket service for all productions » Personalized benefits (e.g., cast gatherings, behind-the-scenes looks)
$10,000 Twin Peaks Sponsor
All Nob Hill benefits, plus: » Special Production or Artist Sponsor recognition on website and in programs, supertitles, and press releases » Additional custom benefits, such as personal meetings with artists, or opportunities to join Nicole Paiement or Brian Staufenbiel for national and international appearances » Invitation to two dress rehearsals
$25,000 Mount Davidson Sponsor
All Twin Peaks benefits, plus: » Recognition as a Season Sponsor on website and in programs and in various marketing materials » Invitation to a season preview of upcoming productions, exclusive to Mount Davidson members » Invitation to attend all opening and/or closing night receptions and cast parties » Two complimentary tickets to each OP production » Tickets to national and international performances featuring Nicole Paiement or Brian Staufenbiel (subject to availability)
Make your pledge today at operaparallele.org/donate or contact development@operaparallele.org for more information.
Illuminations 2027 BENEFIT DINNER
THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2027 6 P.M. CITY CLUB OF SAN FRANCISCO
HONORING
GENE SCHEER
FEATURING PERFORMANCES BY
SASHA COOKE
Opera Parallèle is delighted to invite you to a joyous celebration honoring GRAMMY Award–winning librettist Gene Scheer, whose words have shaped some of the most powerful new operas of our time, including Everest and The Diving Bell and The Butterfly. The evening will feature special performances by two-time GRAMMY Award–winning mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke, one of today’s most celebrated interpreters of contemporary opera. Sponsorships starting at $1,000 are available now. To reserve a pair of the best seats or a premium table, please email development@ operaparallele.org. Seating is extremely limited. If available, single tickets will go on sale by the end of January 2027 at $500 per guest.
Drew Altizer Photography
Amelia Kaymen & Eric Yopes Lisa Lindelef Elizabeth McMillan & George Varian Judy Miner Peggy Otum & Andrew Price The Henry W. and Nettie Robinson Foundation Martha Peak Rochelle Jack & Betty Schafer
ADDITIONAL FUNDING, IN PART, PROVIDED BY:
SEASON SPONSORS Norby Anderson Michèle & Larry Corash The Alice M. Ditson Fund Donna Dubinsky & Len Shustek Gordon Getty Corey Goodman & Marcia Barinaga Philip Goward & Theo Ueki Michael Hulton
44 Page Street Suite 400 | San Francisco, CA 94102
Credit: Stefan Cohen