Organization

Conductor

Steven White

Stage director

Omer Ben Seadia

Singer

Soprano

So Ry Kim

Gilda

Baritone

Kevin Godínez

Rigoletto

Mezzo-soprano

Lucy Joy Altus

Giovanna

Tenor

Daniel Luis Espinal

The Duke of Mantua

Bass

Finn Sagal

The Count of Ceprano

Sahel Salam

Matteo Borsa

Countertenor

Joanne Evans

Sesto

Contralto

Cecelia McKinley

Cornelia

Georgiana Adams

Anna Sørenson

Nikolaus

Demetrious Sampson, Jr.

Kronprinz

Tania Arazi Coambs

Nemorino

Doctor Dulcamara

Samuel Kidd

Hamlet

Shan Hai

Ophelia

Eleomar Cuello

Iago

Cassio

Thomas Kinch

Otello

Juliette Chauvet

Desdemona

Emilia

San Francisco Opera

Orchestra

San Francisco Opera Orchestra

Merola Opera Program

Italian

French

Schwabacher Summer Concert

San Francisco

United States

San Francisco Conservatory of Music

Schwabacher Summer Concert: Rigoletto Verdi (+5 More)

Public

Julius Caesar in Egypt

Silent Night

The Elixir of Love

Othello

English

Approved

James H. Schwabacher (1920-2006) was not only instrumental in the
establishment and development of the Merola Opera Program—
he became its very heart and soul, demonstrating an unwavering
commitment to the next generation of vocal talent. Jim was, first and
foremost, a noted tenor and scholar who graced many opera stages. And
just as important to him as making music was encouraging others to do
the same. Jim took pride in passing on to young artists insights gleaned
from his own career and studies, and he conveyed his rigorous musical
standards with a gentle and loving touch. In addition to his artistic
leadership, Jim provided vital financial and administrative stewardship
to Merola, serving as President of the Board of Directors for 29 years and
subsequently as Chairman of the Board for 15 years.
Devoted to the future of opera for more than half a century, his
leadership continues to inspire us to identify, train, and nurture the
world’s finest young operatic talent.
This concert is named in memory of Merola’s late Chairman, James Schwabacher, and is
generously underwritten, in part, by The Grace A. Diem and Alice E. Siemons Foundation,
The Frances K. and Charles D. Field Foundation, The Bernard Osher Foundation, and
Margareta and Staffan Encrantz.
Steven White is sponsored, in part, by Darla and Richard Bastoni.
Omer Ben Seadia is sponsored, in part, by Bob and Terri Ryan.
Tania Arazi Coambs is sponsored, in part, by Ursula Grunfeld and the Lotfi Mansouri Apprentice
Stage Director Endowment.
Run time: Approximately two hour and 15 minutes with one intermission.
The use of cameras, cellular phones, and recording equipment of any kind is strictly prohibited at
all Merola Opera Program performances and events.

Schwabacher Summer Concert by Verdi, Händel, Puts, Donizetti, Thomas, From (2023/2023), Directed by Omer Ben Seadia, Tania Arazi Coambs,, Conductor Steven White, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, San Francisco, United States

Performance credits (Cast & Crew )

Cast

Ensemble

Program, About & Synopsis

Photos

Further reading

Performance Dates & Venues

Venues