1. XCITIN
URPRISIN
UTSTANDIN
HRILLIN
SCHWABACHER
SUMMER CONCERT
TRANSFORMATIONS COSÌ FAN TUTTE MEROLA GRAND
FINALE
Some of opera’s greatest moments come to life
as Merola’s young artists perform staged scenes
from operas by Wagner, Handel, Strauss, Rossini,
and more, accompanied by full orchestra.
Performed with English supertitles.
Thursday, July 7, 7:30 pm
Saturday, July 9, 2:00 pm
San Francisco Conservatory of Music
$40 | $25
Start your evening with a free talk about
the Schwabacher Summer Concert
composers and operas with director
Omer Ben Seadia — Thursday, July 7,
6:30 pm at the Conservatory.
Learn about the opera with a free pre-show talk
with Transformations director Roy Rallo—
Thursday, July 21, 6:30 pm at the Conservatory.
Learn about the opera with a free pre-show talk
with Così fan tutte director Ted Huffman —
Thursday, August 4, 6:30 pm at the Conservatory.
NEW! Merola Grand Night Mix
Saturday, August 20, 6:00–7:00 pm
Veteran’s Memorial Building Green Room
Separate tickets required —
please see order form.
Start your Merola Grand Finale evening in
grand style with our new pre-performance
reception featuring an open wine bar and
light nibbles in a relaxing setting.
This concert is named in memory of Merola’s late Chairman,
James Schwabacher, and is graciously underwritten, in part,
by the Grace A. Diem and Alice E. Siemons Foundation, the
Frances K. and Charles D. Field Foundation, the Jack H. Lund
Charitable Trust, the Bernard Osher Foundation, and Rusty
Rolland and the Schick Fund.
Graciously underwritten, in part, by the Frances K. and Charles D. Field
Foundation, the Jack H. Lund Charitable Trust, the Bernard Osher
Foundation, and Rusty Rolland and the Schick Fund.
Graciously underwritten, in part, by the Frances K. and Charles D. Field
Foundation, the Jack H. Lund Charitable Trust, the Bernard Osher
Foundation, and Rusty Rolland and the Schick Fund.
This concert is graciously underwritten, in part, by The Blanche
Thebom Trust, the Jack H. Lund Charitable Trust, and Rusty
Rolland and the Schick Fund.
Post reception sponsored by Fred M. Levin and Nancy Livingston,
The Shenson Foundation in memory of Ben and A. Jess Shenson.
Conductor Eric Weimer
Director Omer Ben Seadia
Conductor Neal Goren
Director Roy Rallo
Conductor Mark Morash
Director Ted Huffman
Conductor Rory Macdonald
Director Aria Umezawa
By Conrad Susa
Libretto by Anne Sexton
What happens to your favorite fairy tale characters
after they go into the woods? Transformations takes
an irreverent look at what happens after “happily
ever after” as seen through the prism of Sexton’s own
psyche. Follow Snow White, Rumpelstiltskin,
Rapunzel, and your favorite Brothers Grimm
characters as they travel through different styles of
music including opera, jazz, tango, and even a foxtrot!
Performed in English with English supertitles.
Thursday, July 21, 7:30 pm
Saturday, July 23, 2:00 pm
San Francisco Conservatory of Music
$65 | $45
This production may not be suitable for young children.
By W.A. Mozart
Libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte
The battle of the sexes rages in Così fan tutte,
Mozart’s sharply observed take on romance and
fidelity. Two soldiers make a bet that their girlfriends
will stay true to them while they are away at war. What
could possibly go wrong? With a mix of sophisticated
comedy and biting drama, this deliciously complex tale
asks the question: Is there such a thing as true love?
Performed in Italian with English supertitles.
Thursday, August 4, 7:30 pm
Saturday, August 6, 2:00 pm
San Francisco Conservatory of Music
$65 | $45
The Merola Grand Finale is a magical evening at
the War Memorial Opera House, featuring our 29
young artists performing arias and ensembles from
some of the most exciting operas, under the baton
of Rory Macdonald, guest conductor for the BBC
Symphony, Royal Philharmonic, Hallé Orchestra,
and many others, with stage direction by Aria
Umezawa, 2016 Merola Apprentice Stage Director.
Following the performance, join the Merola
young artists in celebration in the Veteran’s
Memorial Building Green Room (separate tickets
required — please see order form).
Saturday, August 20, 7:30 pm
War Memorial Opera House
$45 | $35 | $25

2. EXCITING
EXPERIENCE
THEFUTURE
OFOPERA
SAVE20%
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TOALLFOURMEROLASUMMER
FESTIVALPRODUCTIONSBYJUNE20!
Save 20%
Save 20% when you purchase tickets to all four Merola Summer Festival productions
by June 20! Call (415) 864-3330 for more details. Offer not available online.
ORDER YOUR TICKETS TODAY
VENUE LOCATIONS
CALL
San Francisco Opera Box Office
(415) 864-3330
Monday 10:00 am–5:00 pm
Tuesday–Friday 10:00 am–6:00 pm
ONLINE
www.sfopera.com
MAIL OR IN PERSON
San Francisco Opera Box Office
301 Van Ness Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94102
San Francisco Conservatory of Music: 50 Oak Street
War Memorial Opera House: 301 Van Ness Avenue
Veteran’s Building Green Room: 401 Van Ness Avenue
Name Mr. / Mrs. / Ms.
Address
City, State, Zip
Evening Phone Day Phone
Email
Production Date No.
Tickets
Price (circle) Total
Schwabacher Summer Concert Jul 7, 7:30 pm $40 $25
Schwabacher Summer Concert Jul 9, 2:00 pm $40 $25
Transformations Jul 21, 7:30 pm $65 $45
Transformations Jul 23, 2:00 pm $65 $45
Così fan tutte Aug 4, 7:30 pm $65 $45
Così fan tutte Aug 6, 2:00 pm $65 $45
Merola Grand Finale Aug 20, 7:30 pm $45A
$35B
$25C
Grand Night Mix Reception Aug 20, 6:00 pm $25
Grand Finale Post Reception Aug 20, 10:00 pm $50
A Orchestra Premium / Grand Tier Premium
B Orchestra / Grand Tier
C Dress Circle
Subtotal
Handling Fee $11.00
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Ticket discounts are available for groups of
10 or more. Call the SF Opera Box Office for
more information—(415) 621-4403.
$15 student tickets
Purchase in advance at SF Opera Box Office
or at venues one hour before performance.
Limit: two tickets per person per
performance. Current student ID required.
Advance purchase strongly recommended as
student tickets are limited.
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The Merola Opera Program is widely regarded as the foremost opera
training program for aspiring singers, coach accompanists, and stage
directors. Merola nurtures the opera stars of tomorrow, presents
operatic works that reach a diverse audience, and provides community
outreach through educational programs for students and the general
public. Merola has served as a proving ground for hundreds of artists,
including Leona Mitchell, Anna Netrebko, Patricia Racette, Carol Vaness,
Deborah Voigt, Joyce DiDonato, Susan Graham, Dolora Zajick, Rolando
Villazón, Thomas Hampson, and Patrick Summers among many others.
Each year, nearly 1,000 young artists apply to the Program. Out
of these applicants, only 23 singers, five coach/pianists, and one
apprentice stage director are selected. During the 12-week summer
training program, they have the rare opportunity of studying, coaching,
and participating in master classes with established professionals.
How is the future of opera developed? Join Merola and find out! For
membership information, please call (415) 936-2311 or visit Merola.org.
Thisprojectissupported,inpart,
byanawardfromtheNational
EndowmentfortheArts.
EXPERIENCE THE
FUTURE OF OPERA
THE MEROLA OPERA PROGRAM
MEROLA
OPERA
PROGRAM
2016 SUMMER FESTIVAL
PATRICIA RACETTE 1988
JOYCE DiDONATO 1997
DOLORA ZAJICK 1983
CAROL VANESS 1976
ROLANDO VILLAZÓN 1998
LEONA MITCHELL 1971
WHO WILL YOU SEE THIS SUMMER?
For 59 years, Merola has trained and developed many opera artists who
have gone on to become world-renowned. Here are some of our famous
alumni in their time at Merola.
Very special thanks to Merola alumni Amina Edris, Anthony Reed, Zanda Švēde, and Nian Wang,
vnow all Adler Fellows at SF Opera, for appearing in the artwork for the 2016 Summer Festival.
ANNA NETREBKO 1996