Classic Arts NewsSan Francisco Opera’s New Season Includes Sondra Radvanovsky in Roberto Devereux, David McVicar’s Rusalka, and MoreThe 2018–2019 lineup also includes a new staging of Tosca.
By
Ryan McPhee
January 18, 2018
Sondra Radvanovsky in Roberto Devereux at Canadian Opera Company
Michael Cooper
San Francisco Opera’s 2018–2019 season will comprise eight productions, including a new Tosca and Roberto Devereux, featuring soprano Sondra Radvanovsky returning to the role of Queen Elizabeth.
The season kicks off September 7–30 with a double bill of CavalleriaRusticana and Pagliacci. The production, hailing from Belgium’s Opéra Royal de Wallonie, is directed by José Cura.
Radvanovsky, who opened the Metropolitan Opera’s current season with a new Norma, heads to San Francisco to sing the role of Elisabetta in Roberto Devereux. Radvanovsky, who headlined the Stephen Lawless-helmed production when it premiered at Canadian Opera Company, returns to the role; she also made history at the Met in 2016 as the first singer to perform the Donizetti role—as well as the title roles in Anna Bolena and Maria Stuarda—at the house. Joining her are Russell Thomas as Devereux and Jamie Barton as Sara. Performances run September 9–27.
A new production of Tosca, directed by Shawna Lucey,will follow October 3–30. Carmen Giannattasio will sing the title role of opera diva Floria Tosca, with Brian Jagde as her lover Cavaradossi and Scott Hendricks as Scarpia.
Rounding out the season are Arabella (October 16–November 3), It’s a Wonderful Life (November 17–December 9), Carmen, featuring J’Nai Bridges and Matthew Polenzani (June 5–29, 2019), Orlando (June 9–27), and David McVicar’s production of Rusalka, following its Lyric Opera of Chicago premiere (June 16–28).
The 2018–2019 season will mark the first following Nicola Luisotti's departure as music director; the Italian conductor announced in May 2016 that he would step down after the 2017–2018 season. Taking the podium through the new season will be Daniele Callegari, Riccardo Frizza, Leo Hussain, Marc Albrecht, Patrick Summers, James Gaffigan, Christopher Moulds, and Eun Sun Kim.
Next year, Carnegie Hall's house band will perform Bernstein’s “Kaddish” Symphony, unfinished works by Schubert, and the final concert of Conductor Bernard Labadie.
