Calendar
-
Public
-
Members Only
-
2022
Tickets for 2022 Merola Summer Festival performances are on sale now!
Interested in coming to the Merola member events? Become a Merola member today to have the exclusive opportunity to go behind the scenes and get to know the young artists.
Sunday in the Park with Merola
An Afternoon of Wine, Food, and Song
Sunday, May 22, 2022 • 4 - 6 pm
Marin Art and Garden Center
30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd.
Ross, CA 94957
Performing Artists
Esther Tonea ('19), soprano
Nikola Adele Printz ('21'), mezzo-soprano
Edward Graves ('21), tenor
Marika Yasuda ('21), pianoJoin us for a memorable spring afternoon strolling through beautifully landscaped gardens, drinking some of California’s finest wines, and visiting with new and old friends. This special event will include great food, wine tastings, performances by Merola alumni, an auction, and more, all in the idyllic Marin Art and Garden Center in the heart of Marin County. It promises to be a day to remember and will be made all the better if you are there!
A Celebration of American Song
Saturday, July 9, at 3:00 pmSan Francisco Conservatory of Music Concert Hall • 50 Oak Street
Tickets: $80/$55
Craig Terry, Curator
This joyous tribute to music from the Great American Songbook and beyond features treasured tunes from the past century. Celebrate the music of talents such as Harold Arlen, George Gershwin, John Kander, Jerome Kern, Frank Loesser, Jule Styne, and many more. This is sure to be a memorable recital featuring all the singers and pianists of the 2022 Program. Performed in English with supertitles.
This recital is generously underwritten, in part, by The Grace A. Diem and Alice E. Siemons Foundation, The Frances K. and Charles D. Field Foundation, and The Bernard Osher Foundation.
Schwabacher Summer Concert
Thursday, July 14, at 7:30 pm
Saturday, July 16, at 3:00 pm
San Francisco Conservatory of Music Concert Hall • 50 Oak Street
Tickets: $80/$55
Jorge Parodi, Conductor
Jose Maria Condemi, 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's La vida breve, Daniél Catán's Florencia en el Amazonas, Amadeo Vives's Doña Francisquita, and Osvaldo Golijov's Ainadamar. Performed in Spanish with English supertitles.
This concert is named in memory of Merola’s late Chairman, James Schwabacher, and is generously underwritten, in part, by The Grace A. Diem and Alice E. Siemons Foundation, The Frances K. and Charles D. Field Foundation, and The Bernard Osher Foundation.
The Schwabacher Summer Concert is dedicated to the memory of J. Gerard Gagnon for his generous Legacy gift to the Merola endowment fund.
Schwabacher Recital Series Recital #4
Thursday, July 28, at 7:30 pmSan Francisco Conservatory of Music Concert Hall • 50 Oak Street
Sidney Outlaw ('10), baritone
Warren Jones, pianoThe final Schwabacher recital shines a spotlight on the artistry of baritone Sidney Outlaw and acclaimed pianist Warren Jones. The program will focus on their latest collaboration, a new album that pays homage to 20th-century American song entitled Lament, featuring works by Ricky Ian Gordon, Robert Owens, Dorothy Rudd Moore, Harry T. Burleigh and the words of Langston Hughes.
Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute)
Thursday, August 4, at 7:30 pm
Saturday, August 6, at 3:00 pm
Blue Shield of California Theater at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts • 700 Howard Street
Tickets: $80/$55**An additional $1 per ticket facility fee applies.
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. Mozart’s enchanting Die Zauberflöte is a delight for all ages. Performed in German with dialogue in English, and English supertitles.
This opera is generously underwritten, in part, by The Grace A. Diem and Alice E. Siemons Foundation, The Frances K. and Charles D. Field Foundation, and The Bernard Osher Foundation.
Merola Grand Finale
Saturday, August 20, at 7:30 pmWar Memorial Opera House
Tickets: $50/$40/$25
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. Conducted by Maestro Patrick Furrer and directed by 2022 Merola Stage Director Matthew J. Schulz, this evening showcases the extraordinary talent of the 2022 Merolini.
Graciously underwritten, in part, by a generous Legacy gift from Philip L. Eaton and The Blanche Thebom Trust.
Merola Grand Finale Reception
Saturday, August 20, Post-PerformanceBarbro Osher Recital Hall, Bowes Center • 200 Van Ness Avenue
Tickets: $75 Per Person
Join the Merola artists for wine and an array of desserts and savory treats as we toast this year’s program at an elegant reception in the stunning new Barbro Osher Recital Hall at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music's Bowes Center. Space is limited, so make your reservations early.
Post-concert reception sponsored in part by Fred M. Levin and Nancy Livingston, The Shenson Foundation in memory of Ben and A. Jess Shenson, and Culinary Excellence.
Watch videos on-demand free!
What the Heart Desires
Now Playing! Stream available for all to view free online.
Ronnita Miller (Merola '05), co-curator
Nicholas Phan, co-curator
Celebrating diversity in song, this recital co-curated by mezzo-soprano Ronnita Miller (Merola ‘05) and tenor Nicholas Phan will explore the many things our hearts desire. Featuring compositions by women and people of color, the program will include selections about romantic desire, physical desire, and the longing for home, for rest, for peace, and for a better world performed by select 2021 Merola young artists.This performance of What the Heart Desires is sponsored by Amazon.
Ronnita Miller is sponsored by Mr. Glenn H. Reid and Five Arts Foundation.
Nicholas Phan is sponsored by Bob and Terri Ryan.Back Home: Through the Stage Door
Now Playing! Stream available for all to view free online.
Back Home: Through the Stage Door, conceived and directed for film by award-winning director David Paul, showcases the 2021 Merola artists in an exciting digital format. This innovative work will highlight the program’s imaginative approach to adapting to the digital demands of the opera world today. Paul’s work has been praised by The New York Times and The Washington Post for its energy, humor, and emotional depth, and has been seen across four continents in five languages.Back Home: Through the Stage Door is sponsored by William and Edie Dwan.
David Paul is sponsored by Darla and Richard Bastoni. -
2022
(Dates, times, and venues are subject to change. Please refer back to this page for the most up-to-date information.)
Interested in coming to these events? Become a Merola member today to have the exclusive opportunity to go behind the scenes and get to know the young artists.
Meet the Merolini
Monday, June 6, at 7:00 pmDiane B. Wilsey Center for Opera Education Studio • 401 Van Ness Avenue
Benefactor Level and above • $25 per attendee
This is your first chance to meet the 2022 Merola artists and get up close and personal. The artists will be interviewed in small groups and take questions from the audience. It’s a great opportunity to learn some interesting facts and tidbits about them.
Interested in coming to this event? Become a Merola member today!
Gerald Martin Moore Master Class
Thursday, June 16, at 7:00 pmSan Francisco Conservatory of Music Recital Hall • 50 Oak Street
Exclusive for Merola Legacy Society Members
An internationally renowned voice and opera pedagogue, Gerald Martin Moore is the director of the Yale Opera and coordinator of vocal studies at the Yale School of Music. He has worked as a vocal consultant for major opera productions at the Glyndebourne Festival Opera, Edinburgh International Festival, La Scala, Opéra National de Paris, and Festival d'Aix-en-Provence, and with such acclaimed performers as Renée Fleming, Erin Morley, Sabine Devieilhe, Natalie Dessay, Dame Sarah Connolly, Magdalena Kožená, Elīna Garanča, Isabel Leonard, and Javier Camarena. He has served as artistic associate of Carnegie Hall’s SongStudio program led by celebrated soprano Renée Fleming. He has also worked as a collaborative artist for opera, film, and television productions and is a frequent recitalist.
Interested in coming to this event? Become a Merola Legacy Society member today!
Bring a Friend Master Class with Carrie-Ann Matheson
Wednesday, June 23, at 7:00 pmSan Francisco Conservatory of Music Concert Hall • 50 Oak Street
Open to Basic and above levels. Reservations are required.
Introduce your friends to the magic of Merola! Members are welcome to bring two friends to this special master class.
Carrie-Ann Matheson (San Francisco Opera Center Artistic Director) has a multi-faceted international career as a pianist, conductor, and educator. She began her career at the Metropolitan Opera, where she was a tenured member of the full-time music staff as assistant conductor, prompter, pianist, and vocal coach. As a recital pianist, she has performed with many of the world’s most renowned opera singers, including Rolando Villazón, Jonas Kaufmann, Piotr Beczala, Benjamin Bernheim, Diana Damrau, Thomas Hampson, and Joyce DiDonato. In addition to her work with opera singers, she has performed in chamber music concerts with members of the New York Philharmonic, the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Chamber Orchestra of Europe, the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, and Philharmonia Zürich.
Interested in coming to this event? Become a Merola member today!
Merola Auditions for the General Director
Sunday, June 26, at 7:00 pmWar Memorial Opera House • Enter at the North Carriage Entrance
Founder Level and above
Join San Francisco Opera General Director Matthew Shilvock and San Francisco Opera artistic staff as they hear the 2022 Merola artists perform for the first time on the main stage of the War Memorial Opera House.
Interested in coming to this event? Become a Merola member today!
Day at Merola
Wednesday, June 29, 11:00 am–6:30 pmSan Francisco Conservatory of Music
Benefactor Level and above
This is your chance to be an honorary Merolini for the day. Go behind the scenes and witness the many facets of the Merola Opera Program, including production staging, vocal coaching, and much more. Master classes will feature Howard Watkins, Julia Faulkner, and Craig Terry, among others. Come for all or part of the day.
Interested in coming to this event? Become a Merola member today!
Sponsors’ Lunch
Wednesday, June 29, 1:00 pm–2:00 pmInvitations will be sent by mail
Open to 2022 Sponsors at $2,000 and above
This lunch is held exclusively for Sponsors of this summer’s young artists and faculty. This is the Sponsors’ chance to connect with their sponsored Merola artists.
Interested in coming to this event? Become a Merola Sponsor today!
Howard Watkins Master Class
Wednesday, June 29, 5:00 pmSan Francisco Conservatory of Music Concert Hall • 50 Oak Street
Benefactor Level and above
Join us at the end of Day at Merola for insightful master class with Howard Watkins! American pianist Howard Watkins is a frequent associate of some of the world’s leading musicians on the concert stage and as an assistant conductor at the Metropolitan Opera. His appearances throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia, Russia, and Israel have included collaborations with Joyce DiDonato, Diana Damrau, Kathleen Battle, Grace Bumbry, Mariusz Kwiecień, and Matthew Polenzani at such venues as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Spivey Hall, Kennedy Center, the United States Supreme Court, Alice Tully Hall, the three stages of Carnegie Hall, and the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow. His current and former faculty affiliations include The Juilliard School, the Bard College Conservatory of Music, the Yale School of Music as a Visiting Presidential Fellow, the Tanglewood Music Center, the Aspen Music Festival, and the Mannes School of Music. Currently a guest Master Coach for the Cafritz Young Artists of Washington Opera and the Opera Theater of St. Louis, Mr. Watkins has worked on the music staffs of Palm Beach Opera, the Washington National Opera, and the Los Angeles Opera.
Interested in coming to this event? Become a Merola Sponsor today!
Martin Katz Master Class
Wednesday, July 13, at 7:00 pmSan Francisco Conservatory of Music Concert Hall • 50 Oak Street
Benefactor Level and above and above
Martin Katz has been dubbed “the gold standard of accompanists” by The New York Times. Justifiably so, for his fifty-year career has taken him to five continents, collaborating with the world’s most celebrated singers. He has regularly shared the stage with Marilyn Horne, Frederica von Stade, Karita Mattila, Kiri Te Kanawa, Lawrence Brownlee, and Piotr Beczala, to name but a few. Mr. Katz is also active as a conductor and editor. He has led opera productions for the Merola Opera Program and the BBC, as well as innumerable performances at the University of Michigan, where he has been a Distinguished Professor for more than 30 years. His editions of baroque and bel canto operas have been performed in Houston, Ottawa, and at the Metropolitan Opera. At the University of Michigan, he has chaired the program in collaborative piano and coached vocal repertoire and chamber music for singers, pianists, and instrumentalists alike. Mr. Katz is an author as well. His first opus, The Complete Collaborator, published by Oxford University Press, is widely considered a seminal work on the subject.
Interested in coming to this event? Become a Merola member today!
Warren Jones Master Class
Wednesday, July 20, at 7:00 pmBarbro Osher Recital Hall, Bowes Center • 200 Van Ness Avenue
Silver Circle and above
Always a Merola audience favorite, Mr. Jones has been a frequent guest artist at Carnegie Hall and at Lincoln Center’s “Great Performers Series,” as well as the Salzburg, Tanglewood, Ravinia, and Caramoor festivals, in addition to touring as a recitalist throughout Europe, South America, and Asia. He has been invited multiple times to perform at the White House. Mr. Jones has conducted two Merola productions, leading Mascagni’s L’amico Fritz by Mascagni and Don Pasquale. For 10 years he was Assistant Conductor at the Metropolitan Opera and for three seasons served in the same capacity at San Francisco Opera. He is a former faculty member at Manhattan School of Music in New York City, and has been Artist-in-Residence at Rutgers University, as well as Guest Artist in Opera at New England Conservatory and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts—and continues to enjoy a vigorous teaching schedule throughout the United States.
Interested in coming to this event? Become a Merola member today!
Michèle Crider Master Class
Thursday, August 11, at 7:00 pmSan Francisco Conservatory of Music Concert Hall • 50 Oak Street
Bronze Circle and above
Michèle Crider is one of the preeminent dramatic sopranos of her generation. She has made her mark on both operatic and concert stages in a remarkably wide repertoire. Miss Crider performs regularly in the world’s great opera houses, including the Royal Opera House Convent Garden, the Metropolitan Opera in New York, San Francisco Opera, Los Angeles Opera, the Staatsoper Berlin, the State Opera Houses in Vienna, Munich, Berlin, and Hamburg, the Teatro alla Scala in Milan, the Arena di Verona, Rome, Opéra de Paris Bastille, Zurich, the Liceu in Barcelona and Teatro Real in Madrid. Also enjoying a successful concert career, Miss Crider appears regularly at the Salzburg Festival, Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, the Orange, Ravenna, and Edinburgh Festivals, at the Royal Albert Hall, Carnegie Hall, the Alte Oper in Frankfurt, the Savonlinna Festival, the Salle Pleyel, and Barbican Hall in London with orchestras including the London Symphony Orchestra, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Vienna Philharmonic, National Orchestra of Paris, Berlin Philharmonic, Oslo Philharmonic, Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, and the WDR Symphony Orchestra in Cologne.
Interested in coming to this event? Become a Merola member today!
Schwabacher Recital Series Auditions
Saturday, August 13, at 2:00 PMSan Francisco Conservatory of Music Recital Hall • 50 Oak Street
Bronze Circle and above
Go behind the rehearsal studio door and hear current Merola artists audition for Merola's and San Francisco Opera Center's renowned Schwabacher Recital Series.
Interested in coming to this event? Become a Merola member today!
MORE TO EXPLORE
