Welcome to the
Merola Opera Program
Est. 1957
Welcome to the online home of the Merola Opera Program! I invite you to explore the sixty-plus years of Merola’s history defining the future of opera. We are unique among opera programs in that our primary focus is on training and developing the finest young opera singers, coaches, and stage directors from around the world. Our professional level opera productions and concerts are all a part of the world-class training process. Whether you are an artist seeking to apply to the program or an opera lover looking to go behind-the-scenes and join our vibrant community of supporters, you will find a wealth of resources here.
Hope to see you at Merola!
Jean Kellogg
Executive Director of the Merola Opera Program
Merola by the numbers
This summer, approximately 25 singers, 5 apprentice coaches and 1 apprentice stage director were selected from over one thousand, three hundred international applicants to participate in the Merola Opera Program. During their 12 weeks at Merola, these talented young artists receive life-changing instruction from a faculty of opera masters and hone their talents in professional quality productions – all entirely free of charge.
1,300
International Applicants
650
Auditions each Year
31
Artists this Summer
65
Years of Opera Training
A Celebration of American Song
Saturday, July 9, at 3:00 pm
Craig Terry, Curator
This joyous tribute to music from the Great American Songbook and beyond features treasured tunes from the past century.
Schwabacher Summer Concert
Thursday, July 14, at 7:30 pm
Saturday, July 16, at 3:00 pm
Jorge Parodi, Conductor
Jose Maria Condemi ('99/'00), Director
The young artists of the 2022 Merola Opera Program perform an inspirational program of staged scenes from seminal works by Latin American and Spanish composers, including Manuel de Falla, Daniél Catán, and others.
Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute)
Thursday, August 4, at 7:30 pm
Saturday, August 6, at 3:00 pm
Kelly Kuo, Conductor
Gina Lapinski, Director
Armed with a magic flute, a prince and his bird-catcher friend set off on a quest to rescue a beautiful princess. But when they encounter a fearsome dragon, the imposing Queen of the Night, and a mysterious council, they quickly realize things are not always what they seem.
Merola Grand Finale
Saturday, August 20, at 7:30 pm
Patrick Furrer, Conductor
Matthew J. Schulz, Director
A triumphant end to a transformative season, the Merola Grand Finale features all young artists of the summer program in a dazzling array of opera’s most brilliant works.
Latest News
Meet the 2022 Merola Artists
Merola Opera Program is back! Say hello and welcome to the 2022 Merola Artists. See these singers, pianist/coaches, and stage director perform throughout the 2022 Summer Festival.
The summer festival kicks off at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music with A Celebration of American Song (July 9), a program highlighting the Great American Songbook, and the Schwabacher Summer Concert (July 14 & 16), which spotlights Latin American and Spanish composers. Mozart's final masterpiece Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute), at the Blue Shield of California Theater at YBCA, will be performed by Merola artists for the first time since 1998, on August 4 & 6. We wrap up the summer with the celebratory Merola Grand Finale which returns to the War Memorial Opera House stage August 20. Tickets available now! For full details and tickets visit: merola.org/calendar
Support the Stars of Tomorrow
Join a vibrant community of opera lovers devoted to nurturing tomorrow's finest operatic talent.
