Opera

SFCV’s perceptive writers report on topics relevant to opera.

Lisa Hirsch - November 7, 2025

The anti-hero Hercules tries to marry his son’s fiancée, gods and goddesses intervene — what could possibly go wrong?

Lisa Hirsch - October 28, 2025

Richard Wagner’s symbol-laden drama becomes human in the company’s subtle, dramatically keen production.

Victoria Looseleaf - October 25, 2025

Migraines, a mystic, and a 25-year historical fascination culminated in the composer’s first opera, debuting at the Los Angeles Opera Nov. 5–9.

Lisa Hirsch - October 21, 2025

The conductor enters the fifth year of her tenure after a string of successes with Wagner and Verdi.

Lisa Hirsch - September 30, 2025

Avery Boettcher shines as the opera’s tragic protagonist, but middling results from her counterparts weigh down the production.

Victoria Looseleaf - September 23, 2025

The family-friendly Hello, Star, part of the company’s Hands-On Opera program, will be previewed at the gallery 836M this week.

Lisa Hirsch - September 16, 2025

Taking advantage of Mozart’s ambiguous final scene, Opera San José lets the audience vote on how the opera ends.

Nicholas Jones - September 16, 2025

25 years after its world premiere, Jake Heggie’s Dead Man Walking returns to SF Opera, through Sep. 28.

Victoria Looseleaf - September 13, 2025

The Torrance-based tenor speaks about the challenges of music theater and his burgeoning career.

Emily Wilson - September 9, 2025

Dead Man Walking will open at San Francisco Opera on Sept. 14 and run through Sept. 28. Composer Jake Heggie discusses the opera’s origins and staying power.