
SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH MEROLA
An afternoon of wine, food, and song to benefit the programs and artists of Merola Opera Program.
Sunday, May 21, 2023
3:00-6:00 PM
Join 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!
Sunday in the Park with Merola
Sunday, May 21, 2023
3:00-6:00 PM
Marin Art and Garden Center
30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd.
Ross, CA 94957
Tickets
(admission to the event for one, unlimited wine tasting)
Tickets will be available on Eventbrite through Saturday, May 20, 2:00 pm PDT.
Walk up tickets will be available on the day of the event, May 21, starting at 2:30 pm.
ENTHUSIASTS:
$1,000 Vintner's Duet
(Two tickets and name recognition in event program*)
$500 Vintner's Choice
(Single ticket and name recognition in event program*)
*Deadline for name recognition in the event program is April 17, 2023.
WINE LOVERS (event attendance):
$195 Late Harvest
(Single ticket)
$60 First Crush
(Single ticket: 40 years of age or under)
Event Details
Wine and Hors d'Oeuvres
Concert by Merola Alumni
Live Auction/Fund-the Future
Signature Events
DANIELA MACK AND MATTHEW PIATT IN RECITAL
Daniela Mack enchanted Merola audiences in 2007 as Angelina in La Cenerentola. In 2023, she returns to San Francisco Opera in her role debut as Frida Kahlo in Gabriela Lena Frank and Nilo Cruz’s El Último Sueño de Frida y Diego. Hear this brilliant mezzo-soprano in recital with multi-talented fellow Merola alum Matthew Piatt ('05). After the recital, talk with the artists over wine and hors d'oeuvres in the lovely San Francisco home of Betty Newman.
RESTRICTIONS: 25 spaces available
DATE: Monday, June 19, 2023, 6:00 pm
VALUE: Priceless · GUARANTEED BID: $300
DONORS: Daniela Mack, Matthew Piatt, Betty Newman, and Carol A. Weitz
ROLANDO VILLAZÓN AND CARRIE-ANN MATHESON IN RECITAL
Since his Merola summer in 1998, Rolando Villazón has firmly established himself as one of the music world’s most critically acclaimed and beloved stars and as one of the leading opera artists of our day. This summer he returns to Merola to work with the 2023 Merolini. Hear this phenomenal tenor and renowned collaborative pianist (and San Francisco Opera Center Artistic Director) Carrie-Ann Matheson in recital in the beautiful San Francisco home of Jennifer and Chris Brahm. After the recital, talk with the artists over wine and hors d'oeuvres.
RESTRICTIONS: 25 spaces available
DATE: Sunday, August 6, 2023, 2:00 pm
VALUE: Priceless · GUARANTEED BID: $300
DONORS: Rolando Villazón, Carrie-Ann Matheson, and Jennifer & Chris Brahm
THREE TENORS IN RECITAL
An evening with Merola's own three tenors! Adler Fellows Victor Cardamone ('21), Edward Graves ('21), Moisés Salazar ('22), and pianist Yang Lin ('22) will display their bountiful talents in a dynamic recital in the beautiful San Francisco home of James Heagy. After the recital, chat with the artists over wine and hors d'oeuvres.
RESTRICTIONS: 30 spaces available
DATE: Saturday, October 14, 2023, at 6:00 pm
VALUE: Priceless · GUARANTEED BID: $250
DONORS: Victor Cardamone, Edward Graves, Moisés Salazar, Yang Lin, James Heagy, and the Amici di Merola
GABRIELLE BETEAG AND MARIKA YASUDA IN RECITAL
Praised as a “showstopper” by the San Francisco Chronicle, Gabrielle Beteag made an indelible impression on Merola audiences in 2021. Enjoy this brilliant mezzo-soprano, and multi-talented pianist Marika Yasuda ('21), both now Adler Fellows, in recital in the lovely San Francisco apartment of Merola Executive Director Jean Kellogg. After the recital talk with the artists over wine and hors d'oeuvres.
RESTRICTIONS: 12 spaces available
DATE: Sunday, October 22, 2023, 5:00 pm
VALUE: Priceless · GUARANTEED BID: $250
DONORS: Gabrielle Beteag, Marika Yasuda, Greer & Thayer Hopkins, and Jean Kellogg
NOTE: There are 2 flights of stairs up to Ms. Kellogg’s apartment
JULIE ADAMS AND JOHN CHURCHWELL IN RECITAL
Julie Adams ('14), praised by the New York Times for possessing a voice that is “rich, full and slightly earthy in an expressive way," returns to San Francisco Opera this fall as Elsa in Lohengrin. Witness this brilliant soprano and brilliant collaborative pianist (and San Francisco Opera Head of Music Staff) John Churchwell (’96) in recital in the beautiful home of Antonia Cross in Redwood City. After the recital, enjoy wine and hors d'oeuvres with the artists.
RESTRICTIONS: 20 spaces available
DATE: Sunday, October 29, 2023, 6:00 pm
VALUE: Priceless · GUARANTEED BID: $300
DONORS: Julie Adams, John Churchwell, Antonia Cross, and James Cross & Charles Antonen
Sponsors
(as of March 19, 2023)
Premier Cru
Ms. Amy Roth and Mr. Robert Epstein
Carol A. Weitz
Special Reserve
Robert H. Beadle
Jennifer and Chris Brahm
Camille Chan
Culinary Excellence
Bernice Lindstrom
Sponsorships are available at $10,000, $5,000, and $2,500.
For more information, contact Nancy Petrisko at npetrisko@merola.org or call (415) 936-2312.
Special thanks to Kristen Loken Photography.
Event Committee
Carol A. Weitz, chair
Robert H. Beadle
Maurice Bizzarri
Jennifer Brahm
Barbara Bruser Clark
Sylvia R. Lindsey
Carlos Penikis
Patrick Wilken
Christopher Wiseman
Performing Artists

Leah Crocetto (Merola ‘08), soprano
