Merola Opera Program unveils 2025 summer season, including rarely seen Rossini comedy

MEROLA OPERA PROGRAM ANNOUNCES

2025 SEASON

SUMMER FESTIVAL INCLUDES VOCAL/PIANO RECITAL;

SCHWABACHER SUMMER CONCERT; FULLY STAGED

HILARIOUS, RARELY SEEN LE COMTE ORY;

MEROLA GRAND FINALE

June 26 – August 16, 2025

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (8 April 2025) — San Francisco’s acclaimed Merola Opera Program has unveiled its 2025 season. The summer festival performances—including a vocal/piano recital; a concert of staged bel canto opera scenes; a fully staged production of a rarely seen opera; and the annual Grand Finale concert—will showcase the talents of 28 young artists from the United States, Canada, China, Malaysia, New Zealand, and South Korea, selected from nearly 1,300 international applicants.

Merola’s Executive Director Sean Waugh said, “We’re thrilled to kick off another Merola summer in San Francisco. This year’s season brings our incredible Merola members together with a new class of gifted Merolini—and we warmly invite the public to join us and witness the magic for themselves. We’re especially proud to welcome back Merola alumni who are now returning to lead and inspire, a powerful reflection of the community and legacy that define this remarkable program.”

San Francisco Opera Center Artistic Director Carrie-Ann Matheson and General Manager Markus Beam (Merola ‘02) who lead Merola’s artistic program said, “This season’s programming is crafted to inspire joy, spark curiosity, and celebrate the depth of artistic expression. With vibrant repertoire and a strong focus on holistic training, we’re creating a space where the 2025 Merolini can take bold risks, grow as artists, and build meaningful connections with each other and with our audiences. It’s a summer shaped by creativity, purpose, and a deep belief in the future of opera.”

The 2025 Merola Summer Festival kicks off June 26 with a vocal/piano recital, A Grand Night for Singing: An American Songfest—an intimate evening celebrating the richness and diversity of American song. This captivating program showcases a dynamic repertoire, from beloved classics to hidden gems, all by American composers. The Festival season continues July 10 and 12 with the Schwabacher Summer Concert, It’s Complicated: Love & Opera, a semi-staged performance featuring extended scenes from operatic masterpieces by Donizetti, Puccini, and Gounod. Accompanied by the San Francisco Opera Center Orchestra, this concert offers an evening of vocal fireworks, and lush, soaring melodies. On July 31 and August 2, Merola presents a fully staged production of Rossini’s seldom performed comedy, Le Comte Ory. Brimming with Rossini’s signature wit, vocal acrobatics, and dazzling ensembles, this delightfulopera promises an evening of charm and virtuosity. All three performances will take place at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music’s Caroline H. Hume Concert Hall. The season reaches its peak August 16 with the Merola Grand Finale, a spectacular evening celebrating opera’s rising stars. This exhilarating staged concert at the War Memorial Opera House showcases the 2025 Merolini in a breathtaking program of arias and ensembles with full orchestra. After the performance, guests are invited to an exclusive reception with the artists at The Wilsey Center for Opera (separate admission: $85).

Individual performance tickets are available to Merola members starting April 8, with the remaining tickets available to the public beginning April 23. Tickets ($38-$95, plus $10-$18 for youth (25 and under), $85 for reception) can be purchased at merola.org or by calling the San Francisco Opera Box Office at 415-864-3330.

The 2025 Merola Summer Festival performance schedule:

A Grand Night for Singing: An American Songfest

7:30pm, June 26, 2025

San Francisco Conservatory of Music’s Caroline H. Hume Concert Hall

50 Oak St, San Francisco

Experience the heart and soul of American music in an intimate recital showcasing the depth and diversity of song in the United States. The 2025 Merola artists bring their artistry and storytelling to a vibrant program featuring works by a wide range of American composers. From cherished classics to hidden gems, this evening of song is a joyful tribute to the composers and lyricists that have shaped – and continue to redefine – American music. Producer and Pianist Ronny Michael Greenberg (Merola ‘14) will curate this recital.

Schwabacher Summer Concert, It’s Complicated: Love & Opera

7:30pm, July 10 & 2:00pm, July 12, 2025

San Francisco Conservatory of Music Caroline H. Hume Concert Hall

50 Oak Street, San Francisco

Bay Area audiences are invited to revel in the sheer joy of opera as the 2025 Merola artists deliver a breathtaking evening of vocal fireworks and lush melodies. Conducted by William Long, who makes his Merola debut at the podium, the performance will feature the San Francisco Opera Center Orchestra under his baton, with stage direction by Omer Ben Seadia (Merola ‘14) and Elio Bucky (Merola ‘25). Featuring extended scenes from beloved operas by Donizetti, Puccini, and Gounod, this concert is a feast for the ears, celebrating the expressive power of the human voice with passion, elegance, and flair.

Rossini’s Le Comte Ory

7:30pm, July 31 & 2:00pm, August 2, 2025

San Francisco Conservatory of Music Caroline H. Hume Concert Hall

50 Oak Street, San Francisco

Director Garnett Bruce will bring to life a fully staged production of Rossini’s sparkling and hilarious, rarely seen gem Le Comte Ory under the musical leadership of Metropolitan Opera conductor Pierre Vallet, making his Merola debut. This delightful comedy bursts with laughter, romance, and mischief as Count Ory stops at nothing—disguising himself in increasinglyridiculous ways—to win the heart of Countess Adèle. However, he’s not the only one scheming for her affection; his clever page is also in love with the Countess and the two of them are hatching a plan of their own. Featuring a whirlwind of mistaken identities, gender-bending disguises, and Rossini’s effervescent melodies, this joyful romp is a celebration of wit, charm, and dazzling vocal acrobatics.

Merola Grand Finale

7:30pm, August 16, 2025

War Memorial Opera House

301 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco

The 2025 season reaches its peak with the Merola Grand Finale, featuring all the young artists in a dazzling array of opera’s most brilliant works and lesser-known musical gems. Conducted by Kelly Kuo and directed by 2025 Merola Stage Director Elio Bucky, this electrifying event marks the culmination of an extraordinary summer as all 2025 Merolini take the stage for one final, unforgettable night. Featuring the San Francisco Opera Center Orchestra and performed in the grandeur of the War Memorial Opera House, this thrilling concert showcases opera’s rising stars in a breathtaking program of arias and ensembles. Audiences are invited to witness the next generation of operatic talent before their careers soar to the world’s greatest stages at this joyous celebration of artistry, passion, and the future of opera.

The Merola Opera Program is widely regarded as the foremost opera training program for aspiring singers, pianists, and stage directors. Merola nurtures the opera stars of tomorrow through master classes and private coaching with opera’s most accomplished singers, conductors, and directors. Participants also receive training in operatic repertoire, languages, diction, acting, stage movement, and professional development. Offered free of charge to all participants, the Merola Opera Program is unique in the industry in many ways, providing curricula and added focus on training the “whole” artist, through personal and leadership development, financial planning, mental and physical health & wellness, and public relations and branding. It is the only young artist program to provide financial support to developing artists for five years following their participation, offering aid for essential career development expenses including coaching, language classes, and audition travel. Learn more at merola.org.

FOR CALENDAR EDITORS:

WHAT: San Francisco’s acclaimed Merola Opera Program has unveiled its 2025 season. The summer festival performances—including a vocal/piano recital; a concert of staged bel canto opera scenes; a fully staged, rarely seen opera; and the annual Grand Finale concert—will showcase the talents of 28 young artists from the United States, Canada, China, Malaysia, New Zealand, and South Korea, selected from more than 1,300 international applicants. The 2025 Merola Summer Festival kicks off on June 26 with a vocal/piano recital, A Grand Night for Singing: An American Songfest—an intimate evening celebrating the richness and diversity of American song. This captivating program showcases a dynamic repertoire, from beloved classics to hidden gems, all by American composers. The Festival season continues July 10 and 12 with the Schwabacher Summer Concert, It’s Complicated: Love & Opera, a semi-staged performance featuring extended scenes from operatic masterpieces by Donizetti, Puccini, and Gounod. Accompanied by the San Francisco Opera Center Orchestra, this concert offers an evening of vocal fireworks and lush, soaring melodies. On July 31 and August 2, Merola presents a fully staged production of Rossini’s seldom performed comedy, Le Comte Ory. Brimming with Rossini’s signature wit, vocal acrobatics, and dazzling ensembles, this delightful opera promises an evening of charm and virtuosity. All three performances will take place at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music’s Caroline H. Hume Concert Hall. The season reaches its peak August 16 with the Merola Grand Finale, a spectacular evening celebrating opera’s rising stars. Featuring the San Francisco Opera Orchestra, this exhilarating concert at the War Memorial Opera House showcases the 2025 Merolini in a breathtaking program of arias and ensembles. After the performance, guests are invited to an exclusive artist reception at The Wilsey Center for Opera (separate admission: $85).

WHEN:

A Grand Night for Singing: An American Songfest

7:30pm, Saturday, June 26, 2025 – San Francisco Conservatory of Music Caroline

H. Hume Concert Hall

Tickets: $68/$38/$18(25 & under)

Schwabacher Summer Concert, It’s Complicated: Love & Opera

7:30pm, Thursday, July 10, 2025 – San Francisco Conservatory of Music

Caroline H. Hume Concert Hall

2:00pm, Saturday, July 12, 2025 – San Francisco Conservatory of Music Caroline

H. Hume Concert Hall

Tickets: $68/$38/$18(25 & under)

Rossini’s Le Comte Ory

7:30pm, Thursday, July 31, 2025 – San Francisco Conservatory of Music

Caroline H. Hume Concert Hall

2:00pm, Saturday, August 2, 2025 – San Francisco Conservatory of Music

Caroline H. Hume Concert Hall

Tickets: $68/$38/$18(25 & under)

Merola Grand Finale and Reception

7:30pm, Saturday, August 16, 2025 – War Memorial Opera House

Tickets: $95/$68/$38/$28/$18/$10 (25 & under)

Reception Tickets: $85*

*The reception will take place at The Wilsey Center for Opera

WHERE: San Francisco Conservatory of Music, 50 Oak St., San Francisco

War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco

TICKETS: Tickets are currently on sale for Merola members and will be available to the public April 23 at merola.org. Members can save 20 percent during the member pre-sale, while the public can save 10 percent once tickets go on sale, when purchasing tickets for all four productions* in the 2025 season. Ticket discounts are available for groups of 10 or more. Group Sales can be contacted at 415-621-4403.

*Discount is valid through June 25, 2025. All four performances must be purchased at the same time. The discount does not include the Merola Grand Finale Reception and cannot be combined with any other discounts. Discount does not apply to Youth tickets.

INFO: For more information or to order tickets, please visit merola.org or call the San Francisco Box Office at 415-864-3330. The box office and Group Sales are open Monday, 10:00am-5:00pm, and Tuesday through Friday, 10:00am-6:00pm.

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MEDIA: Contact Paige D’Encarnacao, CBCO Public Relations & Marketing paige@cb-pr.com | 415-570-2623

PHOTOS: Downloadable high-res photos are available here: https://cbpr.co/press/merola2025/