Photo Flash: DON CARLO at San Francisco Opera

San Francisco Opera's Summer 2016 Season at the War Memorial Opera House continues with Don Carlo, Giuseppe Verdi's grand opera of political intrigue and passion, opening on June 12. Starring an internationally renowned cast including Michael Fabiano, Ana María Martínez, Mariusz Kwiecie? and René Pape, Don Carlo is directed by Emilio Sagi and conducted by Company Music Director Nicola Luisotti. Opening on June 14, Leoš Janá?ek's riveting Jen?fa completes the summer opera season. Last presented by the Company in 2001, Jen?fa returns in an Olivier Tambosi production conducted by Ji?í B?lohlávek and featuring legendary Finnish soprano Karita Mattila, Malin Byström, William Burden and Scott Quinn.

DON CARLO - Giuseppe Verdi / June 12-29

At the time of Spain's brutal Inquisition, the king of Spain marries the woman his son loves and sets into motion a tension-filled chain of events. San Francisco Opera Music Director Nicola Luisotti conducts Giuseppe Verdi's profoundly moving drama of romantic triangles, political idealism and life-or-death devotion. The exceptional international cast features the return of American tenor Michael Fabiano, "one of the music world's fastest-rising stars" (San Jose Mercury News), who takes on the title role of the Spanish crown prince for the first time. Fabiano "secured his reputation as one of his generation's foremost Verdians" (Financial Times, London) appearing as Rodolfo to great acclaim in the Company's Luisa Miller last fall. The brilliant cast also features gifted Puerto Rican-American soprano Ana María Martínez in her role debut as Elisabetta, celebrated German bass René Pape as King Philip II, acclaimed Polish baritone Mariusz Kwiecie?as Don Carlo's friend Rodrigo and Bulgarian mezzo-soprano Nadia Krasteva in her Company debut as Princess Eboli. Italian bass-baritoneFerruccio Furlanetto will sing the role of Philip II in the final performance. Last presented in Italian in 1998, Don Carlo returns in a revival of director Emilio Sagi's San Francisco Opera production.

Please note: evening performances of Don Carlo begin at 7 p.m. and matinees begin at 1 p.m.

JEN?FA - Leoš Janá?ek / June 14-July 1

When the righteous sin, can they be forgiven? "Invariably daring and original, characterized by her fierce commitment to the moment" (Opera News), Karita Mattila makes her staged role debut as one of Leoš Janá?ek's most vivid characters-the domineering stepmother Kostelni?ka Buryjovka, who, forced to deal with her unwed stepdaughter's pregnancy, is driven to perform a monstrous act. The legendary Finnish soprano returns to San Francisco Opera following her searing performances as Emilia Marty in the Company's 2010 Olivier Tambosi production of Janá?ek's The Makropulos Case. Swedish soprano Malin Byström makes her Company and role debuts as Jen?fa, a woman who discovers the transformative power of love and forgiveness. The cast also features tenor William Burden as Laca Kleme? and tenor Scott Quinn as Števa Buryja. Janá?ek authority Ji?í B?lohlávek conducts the intense, pulsating score of one of the great operas of the 20th century, in a critically praised Olivier Tambosi production new to San Francisco.

JEN?FA INSIGHT PANEL / June 7 at 6 p.m. at Herbst Theatre

Get a rare glimpse into the creative process in this illuminating panel discussion and audience Q & A session featuring members of theJen?fa cast and creative team. Moderated by Company Dramaturg Dr. Clifford Cranna, panelists include conductor Ji?í B?lohlávek, soprano Malin Byström, tenor William Burden and director Olivier Tambosi. Presented by San Francisco Opera Guild, Insight Panels are free for San Francisco Opera members, subscribers and students with valid ID. Tickets are $5 for the general public. For more information and tickets, visit sfopera.com/insights.

TICKETS AND INFORMATION

Don Carlo and Jen?fa tickets are priced from $26 to $395 (prices subject to change); for tickets and information, call (415) 864-3330, visitsfopera.com or visit the San Francisco Opera Box Office, 301 Van Ness Avenue (at Grove Street). Standing Room tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. on the day of each performance; tickets are $10 each, cash only, limit of two tickets per person.

Before every opera performance, listen to charismatic music scholars present a 25-minute Opera Talk including an overview of the opera, with insights on the music, composer and historical background. Talks begin fifty-five minutes before each performance in the orchestra section of the War Memorial Opera House and are presented free of charge to patrons with tickets for the corresponding performance.

The War Memorial Opera House is located at 301 Van Ness Avenue at Grove Street. Patrons are encouraged to use public transportation to attend San Francisco Opera performances. The War Memorial Opera House is within walking distance of the Civic Center BART station and near numerous bus lines, including 5, 21, 47, 49 and the F Market Street. For more public transportation information, visit bart.govand sfmta.com.

Casting, programs, schedules and ticket prices are subject to change. For further information about San Francisco Opera's Summer 2016 season, please visit sfopera.com.

Photo Credit: Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera