Classical Music

Ragazzi Continuo singers perform “An English Christmas” across the Bay Area. (Courtesy David Allen)

Holiday Classical 2018: A-caroling we go!

Bay Area classical and choral musicians offer holiday concerts galore, with classic…

Ragazzi Continuo singers perform “An English Christmas” across the Bay Area. (Courtesy David Allen)
San Francisco Opera’s “It’s a Wonderful Life” features Golda Schultz as Clara and William Burden as George Bailey (center), and, from left, Sarah Cambidge, Amitai Pati, Christian Pursell and Ashley Dixon as Angels First Class. (Courtesy Cory Weaver/ San Francisco Opera)

SF Opera sets holiday mood with gratifying ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’

San Francisco Opera’s revised production of Jake Heggie’s opera “It’s a Wonderful…

San Francisco Opera’s “It’s a Wonderful Life” features Golda Schultz as Clara and William Burden as George Bailey (center), and, from left, Sarah Cambidge, Amitai Pati, Christian Pursell and Ashley Dixon as Angels First Class. (Courtesy Cory Weaver/ San Francisco Opera)
San Francisco Symphony’s Michael Tilson Thomas is among many Bay Area arts leaders stepping down in the not-too-distant future. (Courtesy Art Streiber)

Bay Area arts organizations see changes at the top

After years, sometimes decades, of steady leadership, major Bay Area arts organizations…

San Francisco Symphony’s Michael Tilson Thomas is among many Bay Area arts leaders stepping down in the not-too-distant future. (Courtesy Art Streiber)
From left, Kearstin Piper Brown, Jake Heggie and Gene Scheer sing “Auld Lang Syne” in a session to promote “It’s a Wonderful Life,” opening Nov. 17 at the War Memorial Opera House in The City. (Courtesy Matthew Washburn/San Francisco Opera)

It’s a sneak preview of S.F. Opera’s ‘Wonderful Life’

San Francisco Opera offered a sneak peek this week of its upcoming…

From left, Kearstin Piper Brown, Jake Heggie and Gene Scheer sing “Auld Lang Syne” in a session to promote “It’s a Wonderful Life,” opening Nov. 17 at the War Memorial Opera House in The City. (Courtesy Matthew Washburn/San Francisco Opera)
Gregory Wait is embarking on his final season leading the South Bay choral group Schola Cantorum after 30 years. (Courtesy Lloyd Levy)

Schola Cantorum’s 55th season is veteran conductor’s last

When Schola Cantorum opens its 55th season on Saturday, the choral group…

Gregory Wait is embarking on his final season leading the South Bay choral group Schola Cantorum after 30 years. (Courtesy Lloyd Levy)
From left, Arturo Chacón-Cruz, Ana María Martínez, Plácido Domingo and Jordi Bernàcer appeared in a sold-out concert at the War Memorial Opera House. (Courtesy Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera)

SF Opera hosts Plácido Domingo in enchanting lovefest

San Francisco’s long love affair with opera superstar Plácido Domingo, which began…

From left, Arturo Chacón-Cruz, Ana María Martínez, Plácido Domingo and Jordi Bernàcer appeared in a sold-out concert at the War Memorial Opera House. (Courtesy Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera)
Ellie Dehn and Brian Mulligan sing the lead roles in “Arabella.” (Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera)

SF Opera’s new ‘Arabella’ makes glowing impression

San Francisco Opera’s staging of Strauss’ “Arabella,” only the third time in…

Ellie Dehn and Brian Mulligan sing the lead roles in “Arabella.” (Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera)
Piano great Evgeny Kissin played a highly anticipated recital in San Francisco on Sunday. (Courtesy F. Broede)

Evgeny Kissin makes triumphant return to Davies Hall

Much has changed in the world since Evgeny Kissin’s last performance in…

Piano great Evgeny Kissin played a highly anticipated recital in San Francisco on Sunday. (Courtesy F. Broede)
Carmen Giannattasio and Brian Jagde sing the lead roles in San Francisco Opera’s “Tosca,” the popular Puccini work that has appeared in 39 of the company’s 96 seasons. (Courtesy Cory Weaver/ San Francisco Opera)

San Francisco Opera stages powerful, timely ‘Tosca’

It was almost exactly 95 years ago when San Francisco Opera staged…

Carmen Giannattasio and Brian Jagde sing the lead roles in San Francisco Opera’s “Tosca,” the popular Puccini work that has appeared in 39 of the company’s 96 seasons. (Courtesy Cory Weaver/ San Francisco Opera)
From left, Laura Krumm, Roberto Aronica and Ekaterina Semenchuk portray jealous lovers in “Cavalleria Rusticana.” (Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera)

‘Cavalleria Rusticana,’ ‘Pagliacci’ stir emotions at War Memorial Opera House

San Francisco Opera unveiled its 96th season Friday with a satisfying production,…

From left, Laura Krumm, Roberto Aronica and Ekaterina Semenchuk portray jealous lovers in “Cavalleria Rusticana.” (Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera)
Russell Thomas and Sondra Radvanovsky sing the lead roles in San Francisco Opera’s “Roberto Devereux.” (Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera)

San Francisco Opera triumphs with regal ‘Roberto Devereux’

San Francisco Opera has staged Donizetti’s “Roberto Devereux” just once, in 1979,…

Russell Thomas and Sondra Radvanovsky sing the lead roles in San Francisco Opera’s “Roberto Devereux.” (Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera)
From left, in foreground, Sean Lee, Michelle Ross, Doori Na, Kristin Lee, Hannah Tarley, Itzhak Perlman and Michael Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony play at the 2018-19 season's opening concert in Davies Hall. (Courtesy Drew Altizer)

Violin greats join SF Symphony for 2018 gala

When maestro Michael Tilson Thomas announced “quite a lineup of fiddle players”…

From left, in foreground, Sean Lee, Michelle Ross, Doori Na, Kristin Lee, Hannah Tarley, Itzhak Perlman and Michael Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony play at the 2018-19 season's opening concert in Davies Hall. (Courtesy Drew Altizer)
Meigui Zhang and Christopher Oglesby appear in Merola Opera Program’s production of “The Rake’s Progress.” (Courtesy Kristen Loken)

Merola singers skillfully advance in ‘Rake’s Progress’

Nothing is as it seems in Igor Stravinsky’s “The Rake’s Progress,” presented…

Meigui Zhang and Christopher Oglesby appear in Merola Opera Program’s production of “The Rake’s Progress.” (Courtesy Kristen Loken)
Donna Missal is about to release her recording “This Time.” (Courtesy Justin Bettman)

Donna Missal breaks out with ‘Keep Lying’

Donna Missal was a toddler when her renowned record producer father Steve…

Donna Missal is about to release her recording “This Time.” (Courtesy Justin Bettman)
The San Francisco Symphony provides live accompaniment to “The Little Mermaid” in Davies Hall at 7:30 p.m. July 6-7 and 2 p.m. July 8. (Courtesy San Francisco Symphony)

Lots of pop in summer with the SF Symphony

It might even be better than Sensurround: The original “Star Wars” trilogy…

The San Francisco Symphony provides live accompaniment to “The Little Mermaid” in Davies Hall at 7:30 p.m. July 6-7 and 2 p.m. July 8. (Courtesy San Francisco Symphony)
San Francisco Opera's blazing finale of Wagner’s “Die Walküre” with Iréne Theorin as Brünnhilde and Greer Grimsley as Wotan is a highlight of the 2018 "Ring" Cycle. (Courtesy Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera)

SF Opera completes triumphant ‘Ring’ again

San Francisco Opera’s modern-set, 21st-century production of Wagner’s massive 19th-century masterwork “Der…

San Francisco Opera's blazing finale of Wagner’s “Die Walküre” with Iréne Theorin as Brünnhilde and Greer Grimsley as Wotan is a highlight of the 2018 "Ring" Cycle. (Courtesy Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera)
Stanislav Trofimov sings the title role in San Francisco Symphony’s “Boris Godunov.” (Courtesy Cory Weaver)

Orchestra rings, drama static in SF Symphony’s ‘Boris Godunov’

With booming voices and plentiful political peril, the San Francisco Symphony’s “Boris…

Stanislav Trofimov sings the title role in San Francisco Symphony’s “Boris Godunov.” (Courtesy Cory Weaver)
San Francisco Opera kicked off a series of three contemporary-set “Ring” cycles with "Das Rheingold.” (Courtesy Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera)

SF Opera launches ‘Ring’ with shimmering ‘Rheingold’

Fresh mixed-media effects and a strong cast set the stage for San…

San Francisco Opera kicked off a series of three contemporary-set “Ring” cycles with "Das Rheingold.” (Courtesy Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera)
San Francisco Opera’s revival of Wagner’s “Ring” begins with technological advances in Das Rheingold,” the first work in the cycle. (Courtesy Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera)

New tech brings SF Opera’s ‘Ring’ revival solidly into 21st century

Opera fans from around the world, especially Richard Wagner aficionados, will flock…

San Francisco Opera’s revival of Wagner’s “Ring” begins with technological advances in Das Rheingold,” the first work in the cycle. (Courtesy Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera)
Iréne Theorin, pictured in the "Ring" in 2009, has been tapped to sing Brünnhilde with San Francisco Opera this summer. (Courtesy Karin Cooper)

Theorin replaces Herlitzius in SF Opera’s ‘Ring’

Big news from San Francisco Opera: German soprano Evelyn Herlitzius will not…

Iréne Theorin, pictured in the "Ring" in 2009, has been tapped to sing Brünnhilde with San Francisco Opera this summer. (Courtesy Karin Cooper)