San Francisco Opera is set to launch its 2025–26 season, marking the tenth year of leadership under Tad and Dianne Taube General Director Matthew Shilvock, beginning with the annual Opera Ball on September 5.
This highly anticipated event will see Caroline H. Hume Music Director Eun Sun Kim conduct Giuseppe Verdi’s classic, RIGOLETTO.
The festivities continue into the weekend with the popular Opera in the Park concert on September 7, featuring Kim at the podium alongside the San Francisco Opera Orchestra and stars from the upcoming season, commemorating the concert’s 50th year.
As part of its 103rd season, the company will present the world premiere of THE MONKEY KING (猴王悟空) from composer Huang Ruo and librettist David Henry Hwang, alongside a new production of Richard Wagner’s PARSIFAL.
Scheduled for November 14–30, THE MONKEY KING follows the exploits of the mythical hero who has gained widespread fame across various media, including an upcoming video game.
Commissioned in collaboration with the Chinese Heritage Foundation of Minnesota, this production is presented in both English and Chinese and draws inspiration from the renowned Ming Dynasty novel, Journey to the West.
The Monkey King’s tale, which features thrilling adventures and contemplative moments, showcases characters like the goddess Guanyin and a chorus of bodhisattvas reflecting on his journey.
Eun Sun Kim will lead this dynamic opera, with acclaimed tenor Kang Wang making his debut as the Monkey King, joined by soprano Mei Gui Zhang as Guanyin and Jusung Gabriel Park as Subhuti.
Transitioning into Fall 2025, Eun Sun Kim’s exploration of Verdi and Wagner continues with the opening of RIGOLETTO from September 5–27, featuring a remarkable cast that includes baritone Amartuvshin Enkhbat in the title role, Adela Zaharia as Gilda, and Yongzhao Yu making his house debut as the Duke of Mantua.
Following this, Wagner’s PARSIFAL will grace the stage from October 25 to November 13 for the first time in 25 years, under the direction of Matthew Ozawa.
Brandon Jovanovich will lead the cast as Parsifal, with Tanja Ariane Baumgartner playing Kundry, Brian Mulligan as Amfortas, and Kwangchul Youn portraying Gurnemanz.
On November 1, Kim will conduct a special concert featuring Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony and selections from Manuel De Falla, highlighting mezzo-soprano soloist Daniela Mack.
A significant focus of the season will be the 25th-anniversary presentation of Jake Heggie and Terrence McNally’s DEAD MAN WALKING from September 14–28.
This poignant work, first premiered by San Francisco Opera in 2000, will star Jamie Barton as Sister Helen Prejean and Ryan McKinny as Joseph De Rocher.
Notably, Susan Graham returns to the Opera, reprising her role as Mrs. Patrick De Rocher, the convict’s mother.
DEAD MAN WALKING remains the most frequently performed new opera of the last 25 years, with over 80 productions around the globe.
As San Francisco Opera prepares for the 2026 Summer Season, audiences can enjoy Gioachino Rossini’s celebrated comedy THE BARBER OF SEVILLE (IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA) from May 28 to June 21, featuring two talented casts.
Simultaneously, Eun Sun Kim will conduct Richard Strauss and Hugo von Hofmannsthal’s monumental ELEKTRA from June 7–27.
Italian soprano Elena Pankratova will make her company debut as Elektra, flanked by Michaela Schuster as Klytämnestra, Elza van den Heever as Chrysothemis, Kyle Ketelsen as Orest, and William Burden as Aegisth.
On June 17, the beloved Encounter series will return with a special half-opera, half-party event featuring The Barber of Seville.
The season will culminate with a Pride Concert on June 26, celebrating LGBTQIA+ community and artistry.
Chorus Director John Keene will lead the San Francisco Opera Chorus in preparation for the season’s performances and will also conduct a concert at the Dianne and Tad Taube Atrium Theater on November 23.
Moreover, the 2025 Adler Fellows, the resident artists of San Francisco Opera, will showcase their talents in an annual concert with the San Francisco Opera Orchestra on November 21 at Herbst Theatre.
image source from：broadwayworld
