A leader among international opera companies for nine decades, San Francisco Opera was founded by Gaetano Merola (1881–1953) and incorporated in 1923. The Company's first performance took place on September 26, 1923 in the City's Civic Auditorium (La Bohème, with Queena Mario and Giovanni Martinelli, conducted by Merola). Originally presented over two weeks, San Francisco Opera's season now contains approximately 75 performances of ten operas between September and July.
San Francisco Opera inaugurated its current home, the War Memorial Opera House, with a performance of Tosca on October 15, 1932 (Claudia Muzio, Dino Borgioli, and Alfredo Gandolfi sang the principal roles in a production conducted by Merola). The venerable beaux arts building holds the distinction of being the first American opera house that was not built by and for a small group of wealthy patrons; the funding came thanks to a group of private citizens who encouraged thousands of San Franciscans to subscribe.
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Airs Saturday, September 16, 2017, at 12 noon. The American Opera Series from WFMT continues with the San Francisco Opera and a production of Madama…
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Airs Saturday, September 9, 2017, at 12 noon. The American Opera Series from WFMT continues with the San Francisco Opera and a production of Aida by…
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Airs Saturday, September 2, 2017, at 12 noon. The American Opera Series from WFMT continues with a new season from the San Francisco Opera opening with an…
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Airs Saturday, October 22, at 12 noon. This week the San Francisco Opera Orchestra and Chorus conclude their season with a performance of Leoš Janácek’s…
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Airs Saturday, October 15, at 12 noon. This week the San Francisco Opera Orchestra and Chorus are featured in Giuseppe Verdi's Don Carlo starring Michael…
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Airs Saturday, October 8, at 12 noon. This week the San Francisco Opera Orchestra and Chorus are featured in George Bizet's Carmen staring Irene Roberts…
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Airs Saturday, October 1, at 12 noon. This week the San Francisco Opera Orchestra and Chorus are featured in Francis Poulenc's Dialogues Of The Carmelites…
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Airs Saturday, September 24, at 12 noon. This week the San Francisco Opera Orchestra and Chorus are featured in a double bill with Gordon Getty's Usher…
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Airs Saturday, September 17, at 12 noon. This week the San Francisco Opera Orchestra and Chorus are featured in Gioachino Rossini's Barber of Seville…
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Airs Saturday, September 10, at 12 noon. This week the San Francisco Opera Orchestra and Chorus are featured in Mozart's The Magic Flute staring Sarah…