San Diego Opera has unveiled an enticing lineup for its 61st season, featuring three beloved operas: Leoncavallo’s “Pagliacci,” Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville,” and Bizet’s “Carmen.”
This season marks a strategic move by the company to reconnect with its audience post-pandemic while also appealing to younger opera enthusiasts.
General Director David Bennett emphasized the importance of familiar titles, noting that these productions resonate with audiences due to their fond memories and popularity.
“We’re trying to embrace composers our audience responds to and have good memories of, but who haven’t appeared here in a while,” Bennett stated.
He added that these selections stemmed from direct feedback from audience members, illustrating a responsive approach to programming.
Bennett acknowledged the uncertainties faced by patrons due to rapid changes in federal policies, but he expressed optimism after a successful fundraising gala and positive results from a previous giving campaign.
“We’re feeling very good about our support and how we’re connecting with our audience,” he said, reflecting on the company’s current state of affairs.
He also noted the need for ongoing engagement, stating, “We have expanded our learning and engagement activities and performing more, which provides an opportunity for us to connect with our community outside of what we do in the theater.”
In a significant development, the San Diego Opera announced a five-year contract extension for its Principal Conductor, Yves Abel, ensuring his leadership through the 2031-32 season.
Abel expressed his joy in collaborating with Bennett and recognized the excellence achieved through the partnership with the San Diego Symphony and the San Diego Opera Chorus.
“The San Diego Opera has been one of the great joys of my artistic life,” Abel said.
Bennett praised Abel’s expertise, emphasizing how his conducting not only enhances the opera experience but also fosters a deep connection with the audience.
“He has an extraordinarily deft touch with the wide variety and historical periods of opera music, whether classical, baroque, or even contemporary,” Bennett noted.
The upcoming 2025-26 season runs from October 31 to March 29, 2026, with each opera scheduled to have three performances over three days.
The season will culminate with “Carmen,” featuring double-casting to ensure vocal health for the demanding roles.
Subscriptions for the new season are available, with three-opera packages priced from $156 to $921, while single tickets range from $53 to $346, although prices may vary.
All performances will take place at the San Diego Civic Theatre, with further details available at sdopera.org.
The season kicks off with Leoncavallo’s “Pagliacci” from October 31 to November 2.
This renowned 1892 verismo opera delves into a tumultuous love triangle within an Italian commedia dell’arte theater troupe.
The story features Nedda, the lead actress, who is torn between her jealous husband Canio and her lover Silvio, while another cast member, Tonio, also pursues her affections.
The opera’s climax showcases Canio’s heartbreak through his famous aria, “Vesti la giubba,” a poignant moment that resonates deeply with audiences.
Jonathan Burton will portray Canio, a role he has mastered in recent performances, while soprano Hailey Clark brings her experience to the role of Nedda, having sung it across the country.
Baritone Kidon Choi returns as Tonio, and Christopher Mattaliano will direct the production, designed to reflect the beauty of the characters’ emotional journeys.
Under Abel’s baton, “Pagliacci” promises to be a powerful experience sung in Italian with English and Spanish supertitles.
Next in the season is Rossini’s beloved comic opera, “The Barber of Seville,” running from February 13 to 15, 2026.
This 1816 opera features clever schemes and vibrant characters, including the quick-witted Figaro, who assists Count Almaviva in winning the heart of Rosina, the ward of the domineering Dr. Bartolo.
Famous for its lively arias, audiences will recognize Figaro’s comic declaration, “Largo al factotum.”
The production will be directed by veteran opera director Chuck Hudson, with San Diego Opera providing both sets and costumes for the performances.
Baritone Dean Murphy, who has performed the titular role internationally, will debut as Figaro, while tenor Minghao Liu takes on the Count and baritone Craig Colclough portrays Don Basilio.
Mezzo-soprano Stephanie Doche is set to star as Rosina, recognized for her specialization in Rossini and Handel roles.
With Abel leading the orchestra, “The Barber of Seville” will be a captivating experience, also sung in Italian with supertitles for accessibility.
Closing the season is Bizet’s iconic “Carmen,” slated for May 27 to 29, 2026.
Initially panned, this opera tells a gripping narrative of passion and betrayal between Don José and the enigmatic Carmen, framed against a backdrop of Spanish culture.
The role of Carmen will feature double-casting, showcasing the talents of Melody Wilson and Guadalupe Paz, each bringing their unique strengths to the character.
Tenor Thomas Kinch and Jonathan Kaufman will alternate in the role of Don José, while Aleksey Bogdanov takes on the charismatic Escamillo.
As always, the production will aim to reflect the opera’s emotional depth, and it will be sung in French with both English and Spanish supertitles projected above the stage.
Bennett concluded by highlighting the commitment of the San Diego Opera to deliver high-quality performances that resonate with audiences, as they navigate through the challenges of the current state.
With a diverse and compelling lineup of operas, the 61st season promises to be a thrilling return to the stage for both loyal patrons and newcomers alike.
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