San Francisco Opera 2017–18 Design Your Own Brochure

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JOIN US FOR THE 2017–18 SEASON

1 2 3

CHOOSE THE OPERAS YOU WANT TO SEE

S E L E C T D AT E S T H AT FIT YOUR SCHEDULE

ENJOY EXCLUSIVE SUBSCRIBER PERKS

2

TURANDOT GIACOMO PUCCINI

REVENGE Ready to retaliate? For other stories of revenge, see Elektra and Manon.

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What is like ice, but burns like fire?

Turandot—a cold-hearted but exquisitely beautiful princess who challenges her suitors to a deadly game of wits. Only Calaf, an exiled prince, is hot-blooded enough to break through her icy veneer.

A selfless sacrifice by Calaf’s faithful servant ultimately awakens true emotions in Turandot, proving that in the game of love, you can’t win without opening up your heart. David Hockney’s magnificent production transports us to another time and place, a world of heightened spectacle where myth comes to life through music, culminating with the glorious “Nessun dorma.” sfopera.com/turandot

#TurandotSF

SEP 8, 12, 15, 21, 24m , 30 †

N O V 1 8 º, 2 5 º, 2 8 º

•

†

D E C 3 m º, 6 º, 9 º

With Martina Serafin/Nina Stemmeº, Maria Agresta*/Toni Marie Palmertree†/ Leah Crocettoº, Brian Jagde, Raymond Aceto/Soloman Howard*º; Conductor Nicola Luisotti/Christopher Franklin*º; Director Garnett Bruce.

3 hours including two intermissions. Sung in Italian with English supertitles. Co-production with Lyric Opera of Chicago. *San Francisco Opera debut. †Alternate cast. ºNov/Dec cast.

Enjoy Exploration Workshops for Families prior to select performances. For updates, sign up at sfopera.com/eopera to receive our E-Opera newsletter.

This production is made possible, in part, by Opening Weekend Grand Sponsor Diane B. Wilsey.

Additional support is provided by: John A. and Cynthia Fry Gunn; Bernard and Barbro Osher; The Burgess and Elizabeth Jamieson Fund; San Francisco Opera Guild; United Airlines; Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem, through the Conductors Fund and the Great Interpreters of Italian Opera Fund; and Joan and David Traitel, through the Great Singers Fund.

4

ELEKTRA RICHARD STRAUSS

STRONG WOMEN Fierce. Fearless. Fantastic. For stories about defiant, determined women like Elektra, choose Manon and Girls of the Golden West.

5

What would you do if you knew who murdered your father? For Elektra, the answer is clear.

In the wake of her father’s murder, Elektra’s world has come unmoored. When her desire for justice becomes a blood lust, Elektra pushes her fractured family to the brink of destruction.

In this compelling contemporary take on the classic Greek tragedy, we experience how a legacy of violence—political and personal, physical and emotional—can linger inside our very souls. sfopera.com/elektra

#ElektraSF

SEP 9, 13, 17m, 19, 22, 27 With Christine Goerke, Adrianne Pieczonka, Stephanie Blythe, Robert Brubaker, Alfred Walker*; Conductor Henrik Nánási*; Original Director Keith Warner*; Revival Director Anja Kühnhold*.

1 hour, 40 minutes with no intermission. Sung in German with English supertitles. Co-production with National Theatre in Prague and Badisches Staatstheater Karlsruhe. *San Francisco Opera debut.

This production is made possible in part by: John A. and Cynthia Fry Gunn; and Joan and David Traitel, through the Great Singers Fund.

6

LA T R AV I ATA GIUSEPPE VERDI

LOVE STORIES What would you do for the love of a lifetime? Love stories like Turandot and Manon pair nicely with La Traviata.

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Passion that knows no boundaries.

Rediscover the spirit and ardor of true romance in one of the most adored operas of all time. When Violetta Valéry, a glamorous but fragile courtesan, finds love with Alfredo Germont, her admirer from afar, it seems as if nothing could keep them apart. But the rules of society and family pressures betray them, and Violetta’s fate takes a tragic turn. sfopera.com/traviata

#TraviataSF

SEP 23, 26, 28 O C T 1 m , 3 , 6 , 8 m , 11 , 14 , 17 With Aurelia Florian*, Atalla Ayan*, Artur Rucinski ´ *; Conductor Nicola Luisotti; Original Director John Copley; Revival Director Shawna Lucey*.

3 hours including two intermissions. Sung in Italian with English supertitles.

San Francisco Opera production. *San Francisco Opera debut.

This production is made possible, in part, by: Chevron; and Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem, through the Conductors Fund and the Great Interpreters of Italian Opera Fund.

8

MANON JULES MASSENET

NEW PRODUCTIONS Stories you know, made new. Add this new production of Manon to our exciting new Elektra and the world premiere of Girls of the Golden West.

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Bright lights, lavish parties and the height of fashion at every turn. But at what price?

This sensual opera follows a pair of not-so-innocent young lovers as they tangle with the toast of Paris, inviting dangerous consequences. At the center of it all is Manon—beautiful, wide-eyed and insatiable. Tempted by luxury but driven by passion for a penniless man, she ricochets from one impossible situation to the next in search of happiness. A quintessential French portrait of a city and a woman no one can resist. sfopera.com/manon

#ManonSF

NOV 4, 7, 10, 16, 19m, 22 With Nadine Sierra, Michael Fabiano, David Pershall, Robert Brubaker, Timothy Mix, James Creswell; Conductor Patrick Fournillier; Director Vincent Boussard.

3 hours, 15 minutes including two intermissions. Sung in French with English supertitles.

Co-production with Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre and the Israeli Opera.

This production is made possible, in part, by: John A. and Cynthia Fry Gunn; and Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem, through the Emerging Stars Fund.

10 WORLD PREMIERE

JOHN ADAMS

GIRLS OF THE

GOLDEN WEST LIBRETTO BY

PETER SELLARS

DRAWN FROM ORIGINAL SOURCES C O M M I S S I O N E D B Y S A N F R A N C I S C O O P E R A , T H E D A L L A S O P E R A , D U T C H N AT I O N A L O P E R A , A M S T E R D A M A N D T H E F O N D A Z I O N E T E AT R O L A F E N I C E D I V E N E Z I A , V E N I C E

G R E AT A D V E N T U R E S Forge your own destiny. If you like characters who take risks to follow their fortune, see Manon and Turandot along with Girls of the Golden West.

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“You have no idea of this wild and barbarous life.”

–Dame Shirley In an unprecedented economic boom, young people from all over the world flock to Gold Country hoping to strike it rich but are quickly caught up in the optimism, greed and prejudices of a rapidly changing world. Dame Shirley is an East Coast transplant chronicling life in the camp. Ah Sing, a Chinese immigrant, works as a prostitute but dreams of a better life. Ned Peters is a cowboy and former slave who never quite feels safe. And Josefa Segovia is a young Mexican barmaid whose act of self-preservation will change them all forever.

One of the most highly anticipated musical events of the season, John Adams’ newest opera draws from original sources, offering a powerful reflection on the everyday people who set out to build new lives in a wild, beautiful land. sfopera.com/goldenwest

#GoldenWestSF

NOV 21, 24, 26m, 29

•

DEC 2, 5, 7, 10m

With Julia Bullock*, Hye Jung Lee, J’Nai Bridges, Paul Appleby, Davóne Tines*, Elliot Madore, Ryan McKinny*; Conductor Grant Gershon*; Director Peter Sellars.

3 hours including one intermission. Sung in English with English supertitles. Commissioned and co-produced with The Dallas Opera, Dutch National Opera, Amsterdam and the Fondazione Teatro La Fenice di Venezia, Venice. *San Francisco Opera debut.

Please note: this opera contains violence, adult themes and sexual content.

Not recommended for children under 13; parental discretion advised.

This production is made possible, in part, by: John A. and Cynthia Fry Gunn; Jane Bernstein and Bob Ellis; Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem, through the Emerging Stars Fund; and an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Presented by arrangement with Hendon Music, Inc., a Boosey & Hawkes company, publisher and copyright owner.

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HOW TO ORDER Y O U R O P E R A , Y O U R WAY

1 OPERA

Choose just three performances and escape into some of the most passionate and transporting worlds ever created. Design your own series and enjoy savings, no-fee exchanges and discounts at neighborhood restaurants.

Choose your Fall operas and dates Select at least three operas and choose a performance date for each.

Different performance dates have different prices: TIER A , TIER B and

DATE

TIME

TIER

OPERA

DATE

TIP! Best Value Dates: Choose TIER C performances for the best seats and prices!

Seats in Orchestra 4 are just $75.

TIER C

TIME

TIER

OPERA

DATE

TIME

TIER

Turandot

Fri Sep 8

8:00pm

B

Elektra

Sun Sep 17

2:00pm

A

Manon

Sat Nov 4

7:30pm

B

Turandot

Tue Sep 12

7:30pm

B

Elektra

Tue Sep 19

7:30pm

B

Manon

Tue Nov 7

7:30pm

B

Turandot

Fri Sep 15

7:30pm

B

Elektra

Fri Sep 22

7:30pm

B

Manon

Fri Nov 10

7:30pm

B

Turandot

Thu Sep 21

7:30pm

B

Elektra

Wed Sep 27

7:30pm

C

Manon

Thu Nov 16

7:30pm

B

Turandot

Sun Sep 24

2:00pm

A

Traviata

Sat Sep 23

7:30pm

B

Manon

Sun Nov 19

2:00pm

A

Turandot

Sat Sep 30

7:30pm

A

Traviata

Tue Sep 26

7:30pm

B

Manon

Wed Nov 22

7:30pm

C

Turandot

Sat Nov 18

7:30pm

C

Traviata

Thu Sep 28

7:30pm

B

Golden West

Tue Nov 21

7:30pm

B

Turandot

Sat Nov 25

7:30pm

C

Traviata

Sun Oct 1

2:00pm

A

Golden West

Fri Nov 24

7:30pm

B

Turandot

Tue Nov 28

7:30pm

C

Traviata

Tue Oct 3

7:30pm

C

Golden West

Sun Nov 26

2:00pm

A

Turandot

Sun Dec 3

2:00pm

A

Traviata

Fri Oct 6

7:30pm

B

Golden West

Wed Nov 29

7:30pm

C

Turandot

Wed Dec 6

7:30pm

C

Traviata

Sun Oct 8

2:00pm

B

Golden West

Sat Dec 2

7:30pm

A

Turandot

Sat Dec 9

7:30pm

C

Traviata

Wed Oct 11

7:30pm

C

Golden West

Tue Dec 5

7:30pm

C

Elektra

Sat Sep 9

7:30pm

B

Traviata

Sat Oct 14

7:30pm

C

Golden West

Thu Dec 7

7:30pm

B

Elektra

Wed Sep 13

7:30pm

C

Traviata

Tue Oct 17

7:30pm

C

Golden West

Sun Dec 10

2:00pm

B

†

TIP! Understand every word—all of our operas are performed with English supertitles.

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2

3

Select your seating section Your seating section and opera performance date determine the pricing for each opera.

Your seating section must be the same for all performances.

TIER A

TIER B

TIER C

Orchestra Premium (ORP)

$291†

$243

$243

Orchestra Premium 2 (ORP2)

$291

$173

$139

Orchestra 3 (OR3)

$152

$126

$113

Orchestra 4 (OR4)

$106

$86

$75

†

Center Box (CTR BOXES E–V)

$378

$351

$342

Box (BOX)

$363

$329

$317

Grand Tier Premium (GTP)

$291

$256

$243

Grand Tier Premium 2 (GTP2)

$291

$148

$148

Place your order Online sfopera.com/dyo Phone (415) 864-3330 In Person War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Avenue Want to arrange a payment plan?

Call the Box Office at (415) 864-3330.

Box Office Hours Mon 10am–5pm Tue–Sat 10am–6pm (Sat phone only, except during performance season) OperaVision, HD projection screens visible from the Balcony, is made possible by the Koret/Taube Media Suite. Performances with OperaVision include a discounted per-ticket surcharge (B1 $9, B2 $7 and B3 $5). † Limited

availability. Please provide alternate choice when ordering.

Grand Tier (GT)

$188

$148

$148

Dress Circle Premium (DCP)

$153 †

$139†

$128

Dress Circle (DC)

$120

$106

$98

Balcony Circle 1 (BC1)

$102

$86

$81

Balcony Circle 2 (BC2)

$67

$52

$51

Balcony 1 (B1)

$66

$75

$51

$60

$50

$59

Balcony 2 (B2)

$51

$58

$26

$33

$26

$33

Balcony 3 (B3)

$25 †

$30

$21

$26

$21

$26

A $2 per-ticket facility fee is included in Balcony 1, 2 and 3 section prices; all other sections include a $3 per-ticket facility fee. A $15 subscription handling fee is charged per order. Prices not valid for the Adler Gala Concert and Ring performances.

Wheelchair accessible locations are offered at a range of prices. Please call the Box Office for availability or select online.

Cast, programs, prices and schedules are subject to change.

Seating subject to availability.

WAR MEMORIAL OPERA HOUSE English supertitles are visible from all sections.

Design Your Own Series subscribers may exchange with no fee.

Exchange tickets at least 24 hours prior to the performance.

There is a $10 fee for exchanges made on the day of the performance for all subscribers. Exchanges are subject to availability; any additional ticket price differential will apply. sfopera.com/subexchanges

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FALL 2017 CALENDAR Please note different performance dates have different prices: and TIER C . See pricing on page 13.

TIER A , TIER B

TIP! Best Value Dates: Choose TIER C for the best seats at the best prices!

SEPTEMBER 2017

NOVEMBER–DECEMBER 2017

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

3

4

5

6

7

8

Sat Turandot 9

A,B

8pm

Sun

Mon

Tue

Elektra

J,K

performances

Wed

Thu

Fri

1

2

3

Sat

7:30pm

4

Manon

J,L

7:30pm

LABOR DAY

10

Opera in 11 the Park

17

Elektra 18

12

R, 7:30pm D,F S/RBW

1:30pm

M,N

Turandot 13

19

2pm

A,B

Elektra 14 7:30pm

Elektra 20 7:30pm

M,O

Turandot 25

26

2pm

A,C

7:30pm

Turandot 22

D,E

Traviata 27 R,T

6

7

Manon 8

A,B

7:30pm

12

13

14

7:30pm

Elektra 23

7:30pm G,I

5

7:30pm

Traviata

J,L

7:30pm

30

Turandot

15

9

10

Manon 11

G,H

7:30pm

16

Manon 17

D,F

18

7:30pm

L

D,F

Traviata 29 7:30pm

J,K EREV YOM KIPPUR

7:30pm

19

Manon 20

M,N

2pm

21 Golden West 22 A,C

7:30pm R,T

Manon 23

24 Golden West 25 G,H

7:30pm

26 Golden West 27

28

7:30pm I

M,O

C

2pm

7:30pm

X

DECEMBER

7:30pm

1

1 M,N

Traviata 2

3

2pm

X

8

Traviata 9

W

2pm

15

Tue

Wed

Thu

Traviata 4

5

7:30pm

10

Fri 6 G,I

11

Traviata 12

13

R, 7:30pm S/RBW

16

17 E

Traviata 18

Sat Traviata 7 7:30pm

14 K

19

20

Traviata 7:30pm

7:30pm

Turandot 29 Golden West 30

2 Golden West J,K

Mon

7:30pm

Turandot

THANKSGIVING

YOM KIPPUR

OCTOBER 2017 Sun

Turandot

ROSH HASHANAH

Elektra 28 7:30pm

Turandot 16

G,H

21

EREV ROSH HASHANAH

24

15

3

Turandot

W

2pm

4

5 Golden West 6

Turandot 7

D,E

7:30pm

7:30pm

X

Golden West 8

R, 7:30pm S/RBW

Adler Gala 9 Concert 7:30pm

T

7:30pm

Turandot 7:30pm

10 Golden West W

2pm

21

7:30pm

OperaVision in the Balcony Letters denote Full and Half subscription series (A, B, C, D, E, F…).

For the most up-to-date calendar of events, visit sfopera.com/whats-on.

Photos by: (covers) version 1/Lithuanian National Opera production of Manon/Martynas Aleksa, version 2/San Francisco Opera production of La Traviata/Cory Weaver; (inside spreads) version 1 and 2, pp. 8–9/Lithuanian National Opera production of Manon/Martynas Aleksa; pp. 2–3/San Francisco Opera production of Turandot/Cory Weaver; pp. 4–5/National Theatre in Prague production of Elektra/Patrik Borecki; pp. 6–7/San Francisco Opera production of La Traviata/Cory Weaver; pp. 10–11/ M.& N. Hanhart Chromo Lith, and Frank Marryat. San Francisco / S.F. Marryat, delt. [London: M.& N. Hanhart Chromo Lith. impt., ?, ca. 1850] Image. Library of Congress, item# 92522389; p. 15/Opera at the Ballpark/Edgar Lee; p. 16/San Francisco Opera production of the Ring/Cory Weaver, Ring Illustration/Mission Minded; p. 17/San Francisco Opera production of the Ring/Cory Weaver; back cover/War Memorial Opera House exterior/Eric Frazier.

Offered in the Balcony level at select performances, these HD video projection screens show close-ups of the drama on stage along with English subtitles. Surcharge applies; see page 13.

OperaVision is made possible by the Koret/Taube Media Suite.

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GET CLOSER TO OPERA

FR E E 2 017 OUTDOOR PERFORMANCES Opera at the Ballpark Free live simulcast at AT&T Park Don Giovanni Friday, June 30, 7:30pm sfopera.com/simulcast San Francisco Opera in the Park With Music Director Nicola Luisotti and the San Francisco Opera Orchestra Sharon Meadow, Golden Gate Park Sunday, September 10, 1:30pm sfopera.com/park

sfopera.com

Insight Panels

Delve deeper into each opera! Read program notes and plot synopses, listen to audio clips and watch videos. Plus, find directions, parking information and dining options.

Engage with the creative team and members of the cast during these informal panel discussions of select operas. Presented by San Francisco Opera Guild. sfopera.com/insights

Education Programs

Explore the history and significance of select operas in 90-minute Opera Previews, led by lively opera experts in communities throughout the Bay Area. sfopera.com/previews

San Francisco Opera offers programs all year-round for adults and families throughout the Bay Area. For more information, sign up for E-Opera at sfopera.com/eopera or visit sfopera.com/discover-opera.

Pre-Opera Talks Perfect for newcomers, aficionados and everyone in between, our Pre-Opera Talks are engaging 25-minute overviews of each opera led by a music expert. Talks begin 55 minutes before every performance (except Opening Night, Sep 8). sfopera.com/operatalks

Opera Guild Previews

BRAVO! CLUB: Opera Lovers Ages 21–40 Join BRAVO! CLUB and meet other opera-loving young professionals ages 21–40. Members enjoy educational and social events, as well as ticket discounts throughout the year. sfopera.com/bravo

Support Your Opera Your gift helps deliver thrilling performances, train the stars of tomorrow and bring opera to schools and the community. sfopera.com/donate

16

R I C H A R D WA G N E R

OF THE NIBELUNG

Through myth we find humanity.

Charting an epic course from the birth of nature to the fall of the gods and the dawn of a new age, the most monumental work of art ever created returns to San Francisco. In a single week, immerse yourself in a transformative journey through a world unhinged by corruption and politics, ravaged by greed and neglect, and where the one true power is the redeeming force of love. As Wagner’s majestic music humanizes the mythic figures of legend—giants, dragons, gods and heroes—the timeless tale unfolds in San Francisco Opera’s visually spectacular production directed by Francesca Zambello and conducted by Donald Runnicles.

Cycle 1—June 12, 13, 15 and 17, 2018 Cycle 2—June 19, 20, 22 and 24, 2018 Cycle 3—June 26, 27, 29 and July 1, 2018 Meet the cast, view prices and purchase at sfopera.com/ring

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Summer 2018 Experience the 4-opera Ring cycle as Wagner intended: in its entirety over the course of a single week. Please note, each cycle is sold separately from the fall season.

DAS RHEINGOLD The struggle for possession of a magic ring drives this fantastic drama, in which the stakes—control of the entire world—could not be higher.

DIE WALKÜRE A philandering ruler, a disobedient daughter and two siblings who break the ultimate taboo: the Ring cycle continues in all its passionate intensity.

SIEGFRIED A fearless young hero must face incredible obstacles to prove himself worthy of the sleeping warrior maiden who awaits him.

GÖTTERDÄMMERUNG The cycle reaches its transcendent climax with a suspenseful tale of bravery and sacrifice, treachery and betrayal, destruction and renewal.

Sung in German with English supertitles. Co-production with Washington National Opera.

Each cycle is sold as a 4-opera series; tickets may not be purchased for individual operas and tickets are non-exchangeable. Cast, prices and schedule subject to change. Discounts do not apply.

The Ring is made possible, in part, by: Dr. and Mrs. William M. Coughran; Keith and Priscilla Geeslin; John A. and Cynthia Fry Gunn; Sylvia and John Hughes; Edmund W. and Jeannik Méquet Littlefield Fund; Bernard and Barbro Osher; Betty and Jack Schafer; Barbara A. Wolfe; United Airlines; Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem, through the Emerging Stars Fund; and Joan and David Traitel, through the Great Singers Fund.

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID SAN FRANCISCO OPERA

War Memorial Opera House 301 Van Ness Avenue San Francisco, CA 94102-4509

JOIN US

sfopera.com · (415) 864-3330 MAT T HE W S HILV O CK

NI C O L A L UI S O T T I

General Director

Music Director

COMPANY SPONSORS

The Dolby Family Ann and Gordon Getty John A. and Cynthia Fry Gunn Franklin and Catherine Johnson Edmund W. and Jeannik Méquet Littlefield Fund Steven M. Menzies Bernard and Barbro Osher Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Dianne and Tad Taube Phyllis C. Wattis Endowment Funds Diane B. Wilsey

SEASON SPONSOR

CHOOSE 3 OPERAS FOR AS LITTLE AS

CORPORATE PARTNERS

$63