Classical Music

From left: Don Edwards, Amanda Scheliga, Jeff Cotton and Ron Graham are keeping Bronstein Music going in South San Francisco as it observes its 75th anniversary. <ins>(Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)</ins>

At 75, Bronstein Music plays on in South S.F.

Store prevails despite silence created by pandemic

From left: Don Edwards, Amanda Scheliga, Jeff Cotton and Ron Graham are keeping Bronstein Music going in South San Francisco as it observes its 75th anniversary. <ins>(Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)</ins>
Mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges is among the singers featured in San Francisco Opera’s spring season “In Song” series. (Courtesy Ras Dia/San Francisco Opera)

San Francisco Opera sings live at the drive-in

New ‘Barber of Seville’ in Marin accompanies virtual ‘Ring’ reprise and intimate portraits

Mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges is among the singers featured in San Francisco Opera’s spring season “In Song” series. (Courtesy Ras Dia/San Francisco Opera)
Tenor Pene Pati appears in San Francisco Opera’s stream of Gounod’s “Romeo and Juliet” in January. (Courtesy Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera)

S.F. Opera, buffeted by pandemic, resolutely heads for brighter future

Challenging year spurs company to ‘look at new artistic horizons’

Tenor Pene Pati appears in San Francisco Opera’s stream of Gounod’s “Romeo and Juliet” in January. (Courtesy Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera)
Robert Greenberg, center, and the Alexander String Quartet — from left, Zakarias Grafilo, Frederick Lifsitz, David Samuel and Sandy Wilson — appear in San Francisco Performances’ virtual Beethoven festival. (Courtesy San Francisco Performances)

SF Performances brings Beethoven’s 250th fest online

Music-lecture marathon features Alexander String Quartet, Robert Greenberg

Robert Greenberg, center, and the Alexander String Quartet — from left, Zakarias Grafilo, Frederick Lifsitz, David Samuel and Sandy Wilson — appear in San Francisco Performances’ virtual Beethoven festival. (Courtesy San Francisco Performances)
Frederica von Stade’s lavish red silk dress from “The Merry Widow” is among the items offered in the virtual San Francisco Opera Costume Shop Sale, running Nov. 13-15. Courtesy Adam Traum/San Francisco Opera

One-of-kind SF Opera costumes for sale online

‘Merry Widow,’ ‘Die Fledermaus,’ ‘Tannhäuser’ items available

Frederica von Stade’s lavish red silk dress from “The Merry Widow” is among the items offered in the virtual San Francisco Opera Costume Shop Sale, running Nov. 13-15. Courtesy Adam Traum/San Francisco Opera
Davies Symphony Hall will remain unused for the remainder of the 2020-21 season. (Courtesy Craig Mole)

SF Symphony cancels all concerts through June 2021

Performances discontinued due to safety, ‘ongoing impacts’ of COVID-19

Davies Symphony Hall will remain unused for the remainder of the 2020-21 season. (Courtesy Craig Mole)
Peninsula Ballet Theatre’s Robert Burns Lowman and Chloé Watson perform while incorporating COVID safety protocols at Mori Point in Pacifica. (Courtesy Vin Eiamvuthikom)

Performing arts groups surviving pandemic’s challenges

Local organizations weathering storm with diligent budgeting, creative programming

Peninsula Ballet Theatre’s Robert Burns Lowman and Chloé Watson perform while incorporating COVID safety protocols at Mori Point in Pacifica. (Courtesy Vin Eiamvuthikom)
The Telegraph Quartet is pictured during its SF Music Day 2020 recording session at the striking, beautifully lit and almost empty Herbst Theatre. (Courtesy Marcus Phillips)

SF Music Day goes virtual with Herbst broadcast

Performers pre-record sets in empty, iconic theater

The Telegraph Quartet is pictured during its SF Music Day 2020 recording session at the striking, beautifully lit and almost empty Herbst Theatre. (Courtesy Marcus Phillips)
Night view of the War Memorial Opera House. (By Kit Leong/Shutterstock)

Why are the great opera companies silent?

By Patti Niemi Leading a major opera company like the Metropolitan Opera,…

Night view of the War Memorial Opera House. (By Kit Leong/Shutterstock)
Musicians of the San Francisco Symphony have reached a temporary agreement with management that allows music director Esa-Pekka Salonen to begin the 2020 fall season. (Courtesy Andrew Eccles)

San Francisco Symphony, Opera musicians settle contracts

Performers’ salaries modified due to inability to play live

Musicians of the San Francisco Symphony have reached a temporary agreement with management that allows music director Esa-Pekka Salonen to begin the 2020 fall season. (Courtesy Andrew Eccles)
Left Coast Chamber Ensemble’s concert “Soft-Spoken” streaming live at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 21 features flutist Stacey Pelinka. (Courtesy Vivian Sachs)

Fall 2020 Arts Online: Classical

Music streams live, on recordings, in podcasts

Left Coast Chamber Ensemble’s concert “Soft-Spoken” streaming live at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 21 features flutist Stacey Pelinka. (Courtesy Vivian Sachs)
Violinist Tessa Lark opens Cal Performances at Home in a concert from Merkin Hall in New York City. (Courtesy Ras Dia)

Cal Performances moves from stage to screen

Fall streaming series showcases classical, jazz, multimedia virtuosos

Violinist Tessa Lark opens Cal Performances at Home in a concert from Merkin Hall in New York City. (Courtesy Ras Dia)
Nicholas McGegan and Houston Symphony musicians rehearse with social distancing. (Courtesy John Mangum)

Bay Area’s Nicholas McGegan conducts onstage concert from Texas

‘Live from Jones Hall’ showcases Houston Symphony musicians in streaming performances

Nicholas McGegan and Houston Symphony musicians rehearse with social distancing. (Courtesy John Mangum)
Tenor Russell Thomas, who was scheduled to sing the title role of “Ernani,” is among the artists appearing in San Francisco Opera’s online “Celebrating the Summer Season” from July 10-12. Courtesy Fay Fox

Opera in The City rescued via online July programming

Singers scheduled for ‘Ernani,’ ‘Steve Jobs,’ ‘Partenope’ to appear

Tenor Russell Thomas, who was scheduled to sing the title role of “Ernani,” is among the artists appearing in San Francisco Opera’s online “Celebrating the Summer Season” from July 10-12. Courtesy Fay Fox
San Francisco Girls Chorus Artistic Director Valerie Sainte-Agathe, at right with singers, says the organization has adapted well to life during the pandemic. Courtesy photo

S.F. Girls Chorus concludes virtual season with Carnegie Hall concert re-broadcast

With a dedicated corps of youthful talent, the San Francisco Girls Chorus…

San Francisco Girls Chorus Artistic Director Valerie Sainte-Agathe, at right with singers, says the organization has adapted well to life during the pandemic. Courtesy photo
Esa-Pekka Salonen, pictured in his first performance with the orchestra as music director designate, won’t be opening San Francisco Symphony’s fall 2020 season in Davies Hall. (Courtesy Brandon Patoc/San Francisco Symphony)

San Francisco Symphony cancels concerts through Dec. 31

Fall 2020 season will not go on in Davies Hall due to pandemic

Esa-Pekka Salonen, pictured in his first performance with the orchestra as music director designate, won’t be opening San Francisco Symphony’s fall 2020 season in Davies Hall. (Courtesy Brandon Patoc/San Francisco Symphony)
Eun Sun Kim, San Francisco Opera’s music director designate, won’t be conducting “Fidelio” in the War Memorial Opera House in September. (Courtesy Kristen Loken)

San Francisco Opera cancels 2020 fall season

Spring performances remain scheduled for 2021

Eun Sun Kim, San Francisco Opera’s music director designate, won’t be conducting “Fidelio” in the War Memorial Opera House in September. (Courtesy Kristen Loken)
San Francisco Symphony’s online celebration of departing music director Michael Tilson Thomas began with a focus on his first year leading the orchestra. (Courtesy San Francisco Symphony)

SF Symphony celebrates MTT’s 25 years with 25 days of online programs

Beloved music director to be honored in June 28 virtual tribute

San Francisco Symphony’s online celebration of departing music director Michael Tilson Thomas began with a focus on his first year leading the orchestra. (Courtesy San Francisco Symphony)
Community Music Center voice teacher Jonathan Smucker, accompanied by by Michael Mohammed, appeared in the first program of the organization’s annual Field Day fundraiser in the first of a week-long series on Facebook.(Courtesy photo)

Community Music Center kicks off virtual Field Day

Festive annual performance marathon raises funds for scholarships

Community Music Center voice teacher Jonathan Smucker, accompanied by by Michael Mohammed, appeared in the first program of the organization’s annual Field Day fundraiser in the first of a week-long series on Facebook.(Courtesy photo)
San Francisco Ballet is streaming Cathy Marston’s “Snowblind,” a highlight of the troupe’s 2018 Unbound programming of new works. (Courtesy Erik Tomasson)

Stream coronavirus blues away with classical, dance

Regular online offerings from ballet, symphony, choral groups and much more

San Francisco Ballet is streaming Cathy Marston’s “Snowblind,” a highlight of the troupe’s 2018 Unbound programming of new works. (Courtesy Erik Tomasson)