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SCHWABACHERSUMMER CONCERT

TRANSFORMATIONS COSÌ FAN TUTTE MEROLA GRAND FINALE

Some of opera’s greatest moments come to life as Merola’s young artists perform staged scenes from operas by Wagner, Handel, Strauss, Rossini, and more, accompanied by full orchestra. Performed with English supertitles.

Thursday, July 7, 7:30 pm Saturday, July 9, 2:00 pm San Francisco Conservatory of Music $40 | $25

Start your evening with a free talk about the Schwabacher Summer Concert composers and operas with director Omer Ben Seadia — Thursday, July 7, 6:30 pm at the Conservatory.

Learn about the opera with a free pre-show talk with Transformations director Roy Rallo— Thursday, July 21, 6:30 pm at the Conservatory.

Learn about the opera with a free pre-show talk with Così fan tutte director Ted Huffman —  Thursday, August 4, 6:30 pm at the Conservatory.

NEW! Merola Grand Night Mix Saturday, August 20, 6:00–7:00 pm Veteran’s Memorial Building Green Room Separate tickets required — please see order form.

Start your Merola Grand Finale evening in grand style with our new pre-performance reception featuring an open wine bar and light nibbles in a relaxing setting.

This concert is named in memory of Merola’s late Chairman, James Schwabacher, and is graciously underwritten, in part, by the Grace A. Diem and Alice E. Siemons Foundation, the Frances K. and Charles D. Field Foundation, the Jack H. Lund Charitable Trust, the Bernard Osher Foundation, and Rusty Rolland and the Schick Fund.

Graciously underwritten, in part, by the Frances K. and Charles D. Field Foundation, the Jack H. Lund Charitable Trust, the Bernard Osher Foundation, and Rusty Rolland and the Schick Fund.

Graciously underwritten, in part, by the Frances K. and Charles D. Field Foundation, the Jack H. Lund Charitable Trust, the Bernard Osher Foundation, and Rusty Rolland and the Schick Fund.

This concert is graciously underwritten, in part, by The Blanche Thebom Trust, the Jack H. Lund Charitable Trust, and Rusty Rolland and the Schick Fund.

Post reception sponsored by Fred M. Levin and Nancy Livingston, The Shenson Foundation in memory of Ben and A. Jess Shenson.

Conductor Eric Weimer Director Omer Ben Seadia

Conductor Neal Goren Director Roy Rallo

Conductor Mark Morash Director Ted Huffman

Conductor Rory Macdonald Director Aria Umezawa

By Conrad Susa Libretto by Anne Sexton

What happens to your favorite fairy tale characters after they go into the woods? Transformations takes an irreverent look at what happens after “happily ever after” as seen through the prism of Sexton’s own psyche. Follow Snow White, Rumpelstiltskin, Rapunzel, and your favorite Brothers Grimm characters as they travel through different styles of music including opera, jazz, tango, and even a foxtrot! Performed in English with English supertitles.

Thursday, July 21, 7:30 pm Saturday, July 23, 2:00 pm San Francisco Conservatory of Music $65 | $45

This production may not be suitable for young children.

By W.A. Mozart Libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte

The battle of the sexes rages in Così fan tutte, Mozart’s sharply observed take on romance and fidelity. Two soldiers make a bet that their girlfriends will stay true to them while they are away at war. What could possibly go wrong? With a mix of sophisticated comedy and biting drama, this deliciously complex tale asks the question: Is there such a thing as true love? Performed in Italian with English supertitles.

Thursday, August 4, 7:30 pm Saturday, August 6, 2:00 pm San Francisco Conservatory of Music $65 | $45

The Merola Grand Finale is a magical evening at the War Memorial Opera House, featuring our 29 young artists performing arias and ensembles from some of the most exciting operas, under the baton of Rory Macdonald, guest conductor for the BBC Symphony, Royal Philharmonic, Hallé Orchestra, and many others, with stage direction by Aria Umezawa, 2016 Merola Apprentice Stage Director.

Following the performance, join the Merola young artists in celebration in the Veteran’s Memorial Building Green Room (separate tickets required — please see order form).

Saturday, August 20, 7:30 pm War Memorial Opera House $45 | $35 | $25

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Save 20%Save 20% when you purchase tickets to all four Merola Summer Festival productions by June 20! Call (415) 864-3330 for more details. Offer not available online.

ORDER YOUR TICKETS TODAY

VENUE LOCATIONS

CALLSan Francisco Opera Box Office (415) 864-3330 Monday 10:00 am–5:00 pm Tuesday–Friday 10:00 am–6:00 pm

ONLINEwww.sfopera.com

MAIL OR IN PERSONSan Francisco Opera Box Office 301 Van Ness Avenue San Francisco, CA 94102

San Francisco Conservatory of Music: 50 Oak Street War Memorial Opera House: 301 Van Ness Avenue Veteran’s Building Green Room: 401 Van Ness Avenue

Name Mr. / Mrs. / Ms.

Address

City, State, Zip

Evening Phone Day Phone

Email

Production Date No. Tickets

Price (circle) Total

Schwabacher Summer Concert Jul 7, 7:30 pm $40 $25

Schwabacher Summer Concert Jul 9, 2:00 pm $40 $25

Transformations Jul 21, 7:30 pm $65 $45

Transformations Jul 23, 2:00 pm $65 $45

Così fan tutte Aug 4, 7:30 pm $65 $45

Così fan tutte Aug 6, 2:00 pm $65 $45

Merola Grand Finale Aug 20, 7:30 pm $45A $35B $25C

Grand Night Mix Reception Aug 20, 6:00 pm $25

Grand Finale Post Reception Aug 20, 10:00 pm $50A Orchestra Premium / Grand Tier Premium B Orchestra / Grand Tier C Dress Circle

Subtotal

Handling Fee $11.00

I would like to make a contribution to the future of opera in the amount of:

Grand Total

Enclosed is my check payable to Opera Box Office

Please charge my credit card: American Express Visa MasterCard Discover

Cardholder’s Name

Card Number Exp. Date

Signature (required) Date

All orders are final. No refunds or cancellations.

Bring your friends and saveTicket discounts are available for groups of 10 or more. Call the SF Opera Box Office for more information—(415) 621-4403.

$15 student ticketsPurchase in advance at SF Opera Box Office or at venues one hour before performance. Limit: two tickets per person per performance. Current student ID required. Advance purchase strongly recommended as student tickets are limited.

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The Merola Opera Program is widely regarded as the foremost opera training program for aspiring singers, coach accompanists, and stage directors. Merola nurtures the opera stars of tomorrow, presents operatic works that reach a diverse audience, and provides community outreach through educational programs for students and the general public. Merola has served as a proving ground for hundreds of artists, including Leona Mitchell, Anna Netrebko, Patricia Racette, Carol Vaness, Deborah Voigt, Joyce DiDonato, Susan Graham, Dolora Zajick, Rolando Villazón, Thomas Hampson, and Patrick Summers among many others.

Each year, nearly 1,000 young artists apply to the Program. Out of these applicants, only 23 singers, five coach/pianists, and one apprentice stage director are selected. During the 12-week summer training program, they have the rare opportunity of studying, coaching, and participating in master classes with established professionals.

How is the future of opera developed? Join Merola and find out! For membership information, please call (415) 936-2311 or visit Merola.org.

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EXPERIENCE THEFUTURE OF OPERATHE MEROLA OPERA PROGRAM

MEROLA OPERA PROGRAM2016 SUMMER FESTIVAL

PATRICIA RACETTE 1988JOYCE DiDONATO 1997

DOLORA ZAJICK 1983

CAROL VANESS 1976

ROLANDO VILLAZÓN 1998

LEONA MITCHELL 1971

WHO WILL YOU SEE THIS SUMMER?For 59 years, Merola has trained and developed many opera artists who have gone on to become world-renowned. Here are some of our famous alumni in their time at Merola.

Very special thanks to Merola alumni Amina Edris, Anthony Reed, Zanda Švēde, and Nian Wang, vnow all Adler Fellows at SF Opera, for appearing in the artwork for the 2016 Summer Festival.

ANNA NETREBKO 1996