Newsletter

Summer 2012

Dear Friends, elcome to the first of what I hope will be a regular series of updates on Camerata. Established

in October 2010, Camerata is a unique funding program that enables San Francisco Opera to

build on our storied legacy and ensure the future of opera and this Company. As a valued

member, you are part of a visionary group making possible the projects that define our world-

class reputation. We want you to experience unprecedented access to the amazing process of getting

an opera onto the War Memorial Opera House stage, from inception to “Bravo!”

This newsletter is my way of saying Thank You to generous patrons like you who have stepped up to join

Camerata, pledging nearly $5 million in special funding. Call it my love letter to you. Camerata

projects to-date have ranged from Nicola Luisotti’s exhilarating appearances on the podium leading our Opera Orchestra

to groundbreaking new works like Heart of a Soldier and innovative productions of seminal favorites like our new Magic

Flute, which debuted to rave reviews this June. I wanted to share with you some behind-the-scenes glimpses that illustrate

just a few of the ways Camerata is helping San Francisco Opera grow on the international stage and within our Greater

Bay Area community both today and tomorrow.

GREAT SINGERS

Joan & David Traitel, Founders

For me, one of the key defining aspects of what makes a world-

class opera company is the regular appearance of today’s

greatest singers, from celebrated household names to rising stars.

As Joan Traitel, founder of the Great Singers Fund, puts it, “Without

great singers, opera is not all it could be.” And I couldn’t agree

more!

This past fall, American soprano Renée Fleming returned to San

Francisco for the first time since 2001. When I first approached her

about coming back to our stage, she told me the opera that most

interested her was Lucrezia Borgia, a rarely performed gem by Bel

Canto master Gaetano Donizetti. Even with Renée’s superstar

status, presenting a rather obscure work like Lucrezia can be a risk

for any company, much less one with a 3,000+-seat house. Fortunately, she drew in crowds and house capacity was at

over 95%, which is comparable to recent performances of “AA” operas like Turandot and Carmen.

Camerata funding ensured that we were able to take that risk. More importantly, the Company was able to accomplish it

at the highest artistic level with a beautiful production, an amazing ensemble cast, and a strong conductor. We did this

because I believe that a production cannot be about one star performer – there must be a balance. As Gregory Henkel,

Director of Artistic Administration, so eloquently puts it, “Like a tapestry, the beauty of each unique and individual thread

combines to create its magnificence: you cannot pull one thread without marring the masterpiece.” Some patrons may

have come to Lucrezia Borgia just to hear Renée, but once in the House they fell in love with rising stars Michael Fabiano,

Elizabeth DeShong, and Vitalij Kowaljow. The same could be said for this fall’s “stagione” run of Tosca with our dueling

divas, Angela Gheorghiu and Patricia Racette – both of whom are joined by powerhouse casts including Roberto Frontali

and Mark Delavan as their villainous Scarpias.

SAN FRANCISCO OPERA War Memorial Opera House 301 Van Ness Avenue San Francisco, CA 94102 www.sfopera.com

David Gockley General Director Nicola Luisotti Music Director

David and Joan Traitel with Susan Graham

W

2

SIGNATURE PRODUCTIONS

One of the greatest joys throughout my career has been championing the works of American composers. America has

become the hotbed of new opera in the 20th and 21st centuries, far surpassing the activities of our European counterparts.

I think it is vital that companies like San Francisco Opera look to the great canon of American operas when programming

seasons. It is important that we foster continued creativity through the commissioning of new works, and we must also

continue to expand the “standard” repertoire by programming revival-worthy operas from the 20th and 21st centuries.

Camerata makes this possible.

As we were approaching the 10-year anniversary of the September

11 tragedies, I thought it would be fitting for San Francisco Opera to

commission a work honoring that history-altering event. Heart of a

Soldier was that tribute – an American experience that resonated far

beyond the confines of this country or historical period. For this

important commission, I selected Christopher Theofanidis, a Dallas

native of enormous talent whom I knew from my time in Houston.

While it was to be his first opera, I knew he was the right composer for

the project.

Heart of a Soldier was truly a San Francisco Opera family creation.

The Company welcomed back Merola and Adler alumni, including

Thomas Hampson and Melody Moore, and saw current Adler Fellows

create pivotal roles. Francesca Zambello, who so brilliantly directed

our American Ring last summer, created a seamless staging for a story that spanned nearly 60 years. The Company also

welcomed local veterans and heroes into the Opera House to honor their years of dedicated service and watch the final

dress rehearsal of the production. And Susan Rescorla, widow of the opera’s hero Rick Rescorla, became a cherished

member of our family.

Among the many challenges an opera company faces, perhaps the most daunting is to introduce a brand-new work. Yet

we have a responsibility to refresh the repertory. Many of the tried and true classics were not considered successes

immediately, but are now mainstays on stages around the world. Camerata funders may look back at a revival of Heart

of a Soldier in years to come and feel proud to have supported a modern-day production written by an American

composer that reflects recent history and demonstrates the vision and commitment of our Company.

I’m extremely excited by the many American works that are part of our upcoming schedule. Jake Heggie’s Moby-Dick –

which seems to have instantaneously established a place in the American canon – makes its much-anticipated Company

debut this fall with Ben Heppner as Ahab. Then in 2013, we present the world premieres of three different works: The Secret

Garden by Nolan Gasser (in conjunction with our friends at Cal Performances), The Gospel of Mary Magdalene by my

dear friend Mark Adamo, and Dolores Claiborne by Tobias Picker, starring the great American mezzo-soprano Dolora

Zajick in the title role from Stephen King’s thriller.

BUILDING THE NEXT GENERATION

Of course, the brightest stars and the best productions won’t mean much if no

one is there to enjoy it, so one of our most vital endeavors is building the next

generation of opera attendees and supporters. It is quite simply vital to the long-

term growth of our Company and to the health of the art-form as a whole.

Through a mixture of family productions, community outreach, and diverse media

offerings, Camerata members are making possible the projects that will help to

ensure our future.

At our sixth annual Opera at the Ballpark, over 16,000 attendees were treated to a

free matinee simulcast of Turandot. This daytime event encouraged entire families

to attend, and a new family zone was created that featured face painting,

storytelling, and an area for children to create their own opera props and

costumes. Members of Orpheus, the Opera’s young donor program, also had the

Of all of the events held

throughout the year, the Orpheus

party at Opera at the Ballpark is

one of my favorites. There is

nothing quite like being a part of

tens of thousands of people

engrossed in an opera.

- Ben Nelson, Orpheus founder

“

”

William Burden and Thomas Hampson sing

together in Heart of a Soldier

3

opportunity to watch the simulcast from a priceless vantage point:

inside the first base dugout. Orpheus founder Ben Nelson states, “Of all

of the events held throughout the year, the Orpheus party at Opera at

the Ballpark is one of my favorites. There is nothing quite like being a

part of tens of thousands of people engrossed in an opera. This year

was particularly special because my wife Marina and I brought our

daughter Zara for the first time, and we were surrounded by other

young families enjoying opera together.”

Camerata members also helped to bring our cherished family opera

productions back to the War Memorial stage for the first time since

2008. Led by Adler Fellow Maya Lahyani as Carmen and Brian Jagde

as Don José, Carmen for Families drew near sell-out crowds for its two

performances. And with the generous support of Camerata members,

in spring 2013 we will premiere The Secret Garden, a co-production with

Cal Performances and the first-ever commission of a children’s opera by the Company. These hallmark productions,

along with free community events like Opera at the Ballpark, are just a few examples of what Camerata allows us to

accomplish in building a new generation of opera goers.

AMICI DI NICOLA

Jan Shrem & Maria Manetti Shrem, Chairs

One of our greatest assets as a Company is Music Director Nicola Luisotti. His passion for the music is

palpable from every seat in the house and it is only fitting that Camerata members play a part in helping

to realize his vision for San Francisco Opera. Amici di Nicola is a group of donors within Camerata who

specifically champion the artistry of Nicola in the great Italian operas he was born to conduct, as well as

repertoire that is new to him. Nicola is devoted to nurturing the enormous talent of the Orchestra — his

musical amici. In fact, one of his stated goals when he was named Music Director in 2009 was to feature

these fine musicians in symphonic programs of their own. With the support of Amici di Nicola, Nicola’s

vision bore fruit this past season when, in conjunction with Cal Performances, the San Francisco Opera

Orchestra presented two concerts featuring symphonic repertoire.

San Francisco Opera’s Concertmistress Kay Stern spoke of working with Maestro Luisotti and the impact the concert had

on her and the orchestra:

The Maestro is such a conduit to the Orchestra, committed to the story in the music, the life of

the composer, and the talents of his musicians. From the very first downbeat at an orchestral

reading, Maestro Luisotti lets us know the urgency and importance of every note we play – the

expression of humanity in every note… the possibility to connect to something greater - to

something higher. He helps people to open up to their passions, to live big and to love big. The

concert was a gift from the Maestro and an opportunity for the Orchestra to stretch and grow and

work together in a very different and intimate way.

Maestro Luisotti will be at the podium this coming season for five different productions, including his first Wagner opera for

the Company: Lohengrin. Future projects include a first for San Francisco Opera: the world premiere of an Italian opera

based on the dramatic novel Two Women (“La Ciociara”). The book was also the basis for a 1960 movie starring Sophia

Loren, who won an Academy Award for her portrayal of a Roman widow traumatized by the fallout from World War II.

Thank you for bringing Camerata to life! I am continually astonished by the enormous generosity and dedication patrons

like you demonstrate on a daily basis. It is truly my honor to serve as your General Director.

David Gockley

General Director

Orpheus member Sally Lee (top right) with (l to r) Ella,

Raymond, Sasha, Allison, and Colette enjoy the

simulcast event from the dugout

Nicola Luisotti

4

Newsletter

Summer 2012

Attending the orchestral readings for Walküre – standing inches away as the full orchestra roared into “The Ride of the Valkyries” for the first time –

was an experience I will never forget. –George Hume

Our experience as Adler sponsors showed us that we can make a real

difference for the future of opera. –Bob Cory

We get so much pleasure out of it and the artists do so much for us, it is

important for us to do something for them. –Jan Shrem

I hope people can see the relationship between the Great Singers Fund and this season’s fantastic lineup. These amazing artists make an even-

ing special, and at the end you walk away happy. –Joan Traitel

Having the opportunity to attend orchestral readings and sitzprobes with both Maestros Donald Runnicles and Nicola Luisotti was fascinating. As I watched them work with the musicians and the artists, I gained an ap-preciation for the tremendous impact the conductor has on a perfor-mance. –Paul Sack

CAMERATA MEMBERS ARE MAKING HISTORY

What our members have to say…

Thank you for bringing Camerata to life. We truly appreciate all that you do to define San Francisco Opera's international reputation. Our goal is to ensure that Camerata members enjoy one of the most rewarding and meaningful philanthropic experiences of their lives. There are many opportunities for you to go behind-the-scenes and see first-hand what it takes to bring an opera to our stage, including orchestral reading rehearsals, design presentations, staging rehearsals, and

sitzprobes. Your giving officer will be happy to work with you to customize your experience as a Camerata member.

“

”

Robert Mailer Anderson & Nicola Miner

Athena & Timothy Blackburn

Mr.* and Mrs. John M. Bryan

Robert & Laura Cory

Valerie & Paul Crane Dorfman

Shirley Davis & Paul Sack

Roberta & David Elliott

Lisa Erdberg & Dennis Gibbons

Ms. Kristina Flanagan

Keith & Priscilla Geeslin

Richard & Rhoda Goldman Fund

John A. & Cynthia Fry Gunn

Mr.* & Mrs. F. Warren Hellman

Leslie & George Hume

Bruce W. Hyman & Simone M. Quarré

Mr. & Mrs. C. Bradford Jeffries

Franklin & Catherine Johnson

Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Keegan

Ms. Karen J. Kubin

Dr. & Mrs. John Lavorgna

Mrs. Edmund W. Littlefield

Greg & Liz Lutz

Jennifer Coslett MacCready

The MacNaughton Family Foundation

Mr. & Mrs. Burton J. McMurtry

Mr. Steven M. Menzies

Ms. Nancy S. Mueller & Mr. Robert A. Fox

Marina & Ben Nelson

Peggy & Boyce Nute

Hiro & Betty Ogawa

Bernard & Barbro Osher

The Oshman Family Foundation

John* & Maria Pitcairn

Dr. & Mrs. Richard Rigg

Betty & Jack Schafer

Jan Shrem & Maria Manetti Shrem

Ms. Vivian M. Stephenson & Ms. Margarita Gandia

Mr. & Mrs. David T. Traitel

Tulsa and Simone Fund

Mary Van Voorhees, in memory of Gwin Follis

Soo & Raj Venkatesan

Barbara M. Ward & The Honorable Roy L. Wonder

Diane B. Wilsey

Mr. & Mrs. Clark Winslow

Thomas F. & Barbara A. Wolfe

Anonymous (2)

* Deceased