San Francisco Opera opening gala: The San Francisco Opera celebrated the opening of its 87th season Friday with a ball at the historic War Memorial Opera House. The sold-out opening night also honored acclaimed Italian conductor Nicola Luisotti, who began his tenure as the opera’s new music director with a production of Verdi’s “Il Trovatore.” Proceeds from the event benefit the opera and the San Francisco Opera Guild’s education programs, which will reach more than 60,000 young people throughout Northern California this season.