The San Francisco Opera has officially announced a significant alteration to its Pride Concert, scheduled for June 27, 2025, as part of the Company’s Summer Season mainstage presentations.
This change arises from a scheduling conflict related to the extended filming project of Monét X Change, who was initially set to emcee the event.
The company has expressed its eagerness to collaborate with her in the future.
In light of this change, the Pride Concert will now be hosted by Sapphira Cristál, a multifaceted performer recognized for her talents as a classically trained opera singer, composer, and drag queen.
Cristál has garnered acclaim for her theatrical lip-sync performances and boasts an impressive six-octave vocal range.
She made a mark on season 16 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, where she was not only a runner-up but also claimed the title of “Miss Congeniality.”
During her time on the show, she showcased her versatility, notably delivering a stunning rendition of “O mio babbino caro” from Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi.
In 2019, Cristál took the stage with renowned mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe at the Philadelphia Fringe Festival and returned as a headliner in 2023, with Philadelphia magazine recognizing her as the “Best Drag Queen Who Actually Sings.”
Her collaboration with Madonna during the Celebration Tour in 2024 further elevated her profile, and she premiered Soundcake, an original operatic work, alongside Monét X Change and Thorgy Thor at Lincoln Center, New York City.
Currently, Cristál is captivating audiences in RuPaul’s Drag Race Live in Las Vegas while also embarking on her one-woman show, The Cristál Ball Tour.
The Pride Concert, set to align with San Francisco’s prestigious Pride Weekend, aims to honor and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community.
The event will feature the San Francisco Opera Orchestra, conducted by Eun Sun Kim and Robert Mollicone, with notable soloists such as mezzo-sopranos Jamie Barton and Nikola Printz, as well as baritone Brian Mulligan.
In addition to the musical program, which will be hosted by Cristál, attendees can expect a vibrant atmosphere enhanced by dramatic animations from Tal Rosner and historical images from previous Pride celebrations.
A post-show dance party will also add to the revelry of the evening’s festivities.
The 80-minute concert will encompass a diverse array of music, including selections from opera composers like Leonard Bernstein, Jake Heggie, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, and Camille Saint-Saëns.
Furthermore, the program will feature songs from notable musicals and films such as A Star is Born (1954), Mame, and La Cage aux Folles, along with folk, pop, jazz, and disco hits by artists like Freddie Mercury, Indigo Girls, and Melissa Etheridge.
To complement the celebration, San Francisco Opera is collaborating with various local organizations, including San Francisco Pride, The Tenderloin Museum, National AIDS Memorial, Compton’s Cafeteria Riot, Marigold Project, GLBT Historical Society, and Twin Peaks Tavern.
The event will kick off with a pre-show happy hour offering discounted food and drinks, along with several attractions such as an interactive Altar of Remembrance provided by the Marigold Project, an LGBTQIA+ Historical Exhibit from the GLBT Historical Society, and sections of the AIDS Memorial Quilt displayed by the National AIDS Memorial.
Additionally, there will be a pre-show discussion featuring Suzanne Ford, the executive director of SF Pride, adding to the event’s communal and celebratory spirit.
As the highly anticipated Pride Concert approaches, the San Francisco Opera aims to create a memorable and impactful experience for all participants.
image source from：https://www.broadwayworld.com/san-francisco/article/Sapphira-Cristl-Joins-San-Francisco-Operas-Pride-Concert-20250617
