Classical Music

Wu Man, who plays the pipa, an ancient stringed instrument, appears in a Cal Performances presentation. (Courtesy Wind Music)

Wu Man brings a Chinese village ensemble to the Bay

Wu Man, the best known virtuoso player of the pipa, a lute-like…

Wu Man, who plays the pipa, an ancient stringed instrument, appears in a Cal Performances presentation. (Courtesy Wind Music)
San Francisco Symphony presents a semi-staged production of Ravel’s opera “L’Enfant et les sortilèges” (“The Child and the Magic Spells”) in a youth-focused concert in June 2019. (Courtesy Jean-Pierre-Maurin)

SF Symphony 2018-19 season crosses boundaries, mixes genres

As the San Francisco Symphony announced its 2018-19 season today, the influence…

San Francisco Symphony presents a semi-staged production of Ravel’s opera “L’Enfant et les sortilèges” (“The Child and the Magic Spells”) in a youth-focused concert in June 2019. (Courtesy Jean-Pierre-Maurin)
Tenor Michael Schade sings lieder and operatic selections with violinist Livia Sohn and pianist Kevin Murphy in Chamber Music San Francisco presentations Feb. 24-26. (Courtesy Harald Hoffmann)

Daniel Levenstein stays steady at the helm of Chamber Music SF

If Daniel Levenstein herded cats, it would be for rest and relaxation.…

Tenor Michael Schade sings lieder and operatic selections with violinist Livia Sohn and pianist Kevin Murphy in Chamber Music San Francisco presentations Feb. 24-26. (Courtesy Harald Hoffmann)
Sasha De Sola, with Sean Orza, danced the title role on opening night of San Francisco Ballet’s “The Sleeping Beauty.” (Courtesy Erik Tomasson)

SF Ballet’s sumptuous, splendid ‘Sleeping Beauty’

In the 21st century, San Francisco Ballet is executing the classics with…

Sasha De Sola, with Sean Orza, danced the title role on opening night of San Francisco Ballet’s “The Sleeping Beauty.” (Courtesy Erik Tomasson)
San Francisco Performances presents the Danish String Quartet in its San Francisco debut on Feb. 19 (Courtesy Caroline Bettenco)

Winter 2018 Arts Preview: Classical

Chamber music and oratorios, symphony concerts and intimate recitals with top artists…

San Francisco Performances presents the Danish String Quartet in its San Francisco debut on Feb. 19 (Courtesy Caroline Bettenco)
Andrew Stenson sings the title role and Meghan Picerno is Cunegonde in San Francisco Symphony's "Candide." (Courtesy Kristin Loken)

Best of all possible worlds in SF Symphony’s ‘Candide’

Someone in the audience at Thursday night’s San Francisco Symphony performance of…

Andrew Stenson sings the title role and Meghan Picerno is Cunegonde in San Francisco Symphony's "Candide." (Courtesy Kristin Loken)
“It’s a Wonderful Life” closes San Francisco Opera’s 2018 fall season. (Courtesy Lynn Lane)

96th SF Opera season charts journey through emotions

San Francisco Opera will present a chronological, comprehensive selection of nine operas…

“It’s a Wonderful Life” closes San Francisco Opera’s 2018 fall season. (Courtesy Lynn Lane)
Andrew Stenson sings the title role in San Francisco Symphony's concert of Leonard Bernstein's “Candide.” (Courtesy Dario Acosta)

‘Candide’ has become a cult favorite

Patrons anticipating upcoming San Francisco Symphony concerts of “Candide” and expecting a…

Andrew Stenson sings the title role in San Francisco Symphony's concert of Leonard Bernstein's “Candide.” (Courtesy Dario Acosta)
The Berkeley Community Chorus, established in 1966, doesn’t shy away from complex material. (Courtesy Bill Hocker/BCCO)

Daring Berkeley Community Chorus offers hefty free program

Berkeley Community Chorus and Orchestra, one of some 500 volunteer musical groups…

The Berkeley Community Chorus, established in 1966, doesn’t shy away from complex material. (Courtesy Bill Hocker/BCCO)
Mission Dolores Basilica Choir, the resident group of the oldest church in The City, appears in its annual Candlelight Christmas Concert with conductor Jerome Lenk. (Courtesy Mark Leet)

Holiday Choral Music 2017: Sing out, it’s Christmas!

Bay Area classical and choral groups are busy during the season for…

Mission Dolores Basilica Choir, the resident group of the oldest church in The City, appears in its annual Candlelight Christmas Concert with conductor Jerome Lenk. (Courtesy Mark Leet)
San Francisco Opera’s cast and crew rehearse “Girls of the Golden West,” a show set during the Gold Rush. (Stefan Cohen/San Francisco Opera)

SF Opera’s ‘Girls of the Golden West’ is about the real Gold Rush

San Francisco Opera’s long record of staging works by John Adams --…

San Francisco Opera’s cast and crew rehearse “Girls of the Golden West,” a show set during the Gold Rush. (Stefan Cohen/San Francisco Opera)
Ellie Dehn and Michael Fabiano, center, make grand role debuts in San Francisco Opera’s “Manon.” (Courtesy Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera)

Love and talent conquer all in SF Opera’s ‘Manon’

San Francisco Opera brought back Massenet’s opera "Manon" after a 19-year absence…

Ellie Dehn and Michael Fabiano, center, make grand role debuts in San Francisco Opera’s “Manon.” (Courtesy Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera)
San Francisco Symphony Music Director Michael Tilson announced that he'll be leaving the job after his 25th season with the orchestra. (Courtesy Art Streiber/ San Francisco Symphony)

MTT announces retirement from SF Symphony

On Tuesday, San Francisco Symphony Music Director Michael Tilson Thomas announced that…

San Francisco Symphony Music Director Michael Tilson announced that he'll be leaving the job after his 25th season with the orchestra. (Courtesy Art Streiber/ San Francisco Symphony)
Michael Wirgler, in white, is retiring from the Golden Gate Park Band after 43 years. (Courtesy photo)

Sundays-in-the-park band leader Michael Wirgler retires

Maestro Michael Wirgler’s fondest memories of making music in Golden Gate Park…

Michael Wirgler, in white, is retiring from the Golden Gate Park Band after 43 years. (Courtesy photo)
Tenor Atalla Ayan and soprano Aurelia Florian make impressive San Francisco Opera debuts in “La Traviata.” (Courtesy Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera)

Principal performances energize SF Opera ‘La Traviata’ revival

Although San Francisco Opera didn’t break new ground Saturday night opening its…

Tenor Atalla Ayan and soprano Aurelia Florian make impressive San Francisco Opera debuts in “La Traviata.” (Courtesy Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera)
Leonard Bernstein, left, and Michael Tilson Thomas appear at the premiere of Bernstein’s “Arias and Barcarolles.” (Courtesy San Francisco Symphony)

SF Symphony celebrates Bernstein centennial

The San Francisco Symphony is observing the late Leonard Bernstein’s 100th birthday…

Leonard Bernstein, left, and Michael Tilson Thomas appear at the premiere of Bernstein’s “Arias and Barcarolles.” (Courtesy San Francisco Symphony)
Cello great Yo-Yo Ma, center, helped San Francisco Symphony Music Director Michael Tilson Thomas and the orchestra open the 2017-18 season with a bang. (Courtesy Devlin Shand/Drew Altizer Photography)

Yo-Yo Ma joins MTT, SF Symphony at festive 2017 gala

On Thursday at Davies Symphony Hall at the gala opening of San…

Cello great Yo-Yo Ma, center, helped San Francisco Symphony Music Director Michael Tilson Thomas and the orchestra open the 2017-18 season with a bang. (Courtesy Devlin Shand/Drew Altizer Photography)
Christine Goerke gives a powerful performance in the title role of San Francisco Opera’s “Elektra.” (Courtesy Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera)

‘Elektra’ makes triumphant return to Opera House

On Saturday, San Francisco Opera opened a striking new production of Strauss’…

Christine Goerke gives a powerful performance in the title role of San Francisco Opera’s “Elektra.” (Courtesy Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera)
Martina Sarafin and Brian Jagde opened San Francisco Opera’s 2017-18 season as the leads in the lustrous “Turandot.” (Courtesy Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera)

Vivid, commanding SF Opera ‘Turandot’

San Francisco Opera unfurled its 95th season Friday by reviving a David…

Martina Sarafin and Brian Jagde opened San Francisco Opera’s 2017-18 season as the leads in the lustrous “Turandot.” (Courtesy Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera)
Henrik Nánási is making his San Francisco Opera debut conducting Strauss. (Courtesy Gunnar Geller/GM Art & Music)

SF Opera stages Strauss’ shocking, irresistible ‘Elektra’

Even for longtime opera fans and experts, the first listen to Richard…

Henrik Nánási is making his San Francisco Opera debut conducting Strauss. (Courtesy Gunnar Geller/GM Art & Music)