The Opera Tattler

SF Symphony Strike Over

The musicians of San Francisco Symphony are returning to work as of March 31, 2013. They have reached a tentative agreement for a new 26-month contract.

Official Site | Press Release

James Gaffigan named Principal Guest Conductor of Gürzenich-Orchester Köln

James Gaffigan has been named Principal Guest Conductor of the Gürzenich Orchestra in Cologne (Gürzenich-Orchester Köln), starting with the 2012-2013 season. Gaffigan is currently the Chief Conductor of the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra and Principal Guest Conductor of the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra. He was the Associate Conductor of San Francisco Symphony from 2006 to 2009.

James Gaffigan's Official Site | Gürzenich-Orchester Köln's Official Site

Shrem/Farrow Gift to SF Opera

Jan I. Shrem and Maria Manetti Farrow (pictured left) have made a commitment of $3,000,000 to San Francisco Opera in support of Music Director Nicola Luisotti and Italian repertory. Mr. Shrem and Ms. Farrow will assume the volunteer leadership role of Chairs of the Amici di Nicola of Camerata and establish the Great Interpreters of Italian Opera Fund at San Francisco Opera.

Press Release | Official Site

Luisi named the Met's Principal Conductor

James Levine had injured his back after a fall last week, and underwent emergency surgery. He has withdrawn from his performances at the Metropolitan Opera for the rest of the year. Fabio Luisi (pictured left, photograph by Barbara Luisi) has been named the Met's Principal Conductor and will conduct the first five performances of Don Giovanni on October 13, 17, 22, 25, and 29 matinee, and Siegfried on October 27 and November 5 matinee. Louis Langrée will conduct the last four performances of Don Giovanni on October 31, November 3, 7, and 11. Derrick Inouye will conduct Siegfried on November 1.

Press Release | Official Site

Salvatore Licitra Dies

Tenor Salvatore Licitra died on September 5, 2011 from head and chest injuries sustained in a scooter accident. He was 43.

Official Site

Seattle Opera's Annual Meeting 2011

Seattle Opera's Annual Meeting was held today at McCaw Hall. The company announced that it achieved a balanced budget (unaudited) for the 2010-2011 season. The Seattle Opera Artists of the Year awards went to Aleksandra Kurzak for singing the title role of Lucia di Lammermoor last October, and to Zandra Rhodes, Costume Designer for The Magic Flute in May.

Press Releases | Official Site

San Francisco Opera and Musicians Union Local 6

The San Francisco Opera Association and members of the American Federation of Musicians Local 6 have negotiated a new three-year contract agreement effective August 1, 2011.

Press Release | San Francisco Opera | Musicians Union Local 6

San Francisco Opera Ring 2011 Ticket Sales

San Francisco Opera's latest production of Der Ring des Nibelungen (Das Rheingold Scene 3 pictured left, photograph by Cory Weaver) sold to 99.96% of ticket capacity, selling 44,055 tickets across 14 performances and generating $7,236,673 in box office income.

Press Release | Official Site

SF Opera 2011-2012 Cast Changes

Single tickets for San Francisco Opera's 2011-2012 season go on sale Sunday, July 10. Some cast changes have also been announced. Michael Fabiano will replace Francesco Meli as Gennaro in Lucrezia Borgia (Renée Fleming pictured left as Lucrezia Borgia, photo by Karin Cooper/Washington National Opera). Lucrezia Garcia and Fabio Sartori replace Oksana Dyka and Ramón Vargas in Attila.

Press Release | Official Site

Costa at PBO

Michael Costa (pictured left) has been named General Manager of Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra. Costa was previously the Director of Finance and Administration of PBO.

Biography | PBO's Official Site | PBO's Blog

City Opera to Leave Lincoln Center

New York City Opera will leave the David H. Koch Theater in Lincoln Center.

NY Times | Wall Street Journal | Pressroom Home NYC Opera

The Woes of City Opera

The board of New York City Opera met today. Between flagging ticket sales and a possible strike, it sounds like there was much to discuss.

NPR | Bloomberg | NY Times | Chairman's Challenge

General Director of SF Opera

San Francisco Opera's General Director David Gockley has renewed his contract for 5 more years, and will leave the position in 2016. Nicola Luisotti will remain as Music Director until at least that time as well.

SF Chronicle | SF Opera's Official Site

General Director of Lyric Opera

Houston Grand Opera's General Director Anthony Freud will be the next General Director of Lyric Opera Chicago effective October 1, 2011.

Press Release | Lyric Opera's Official Site

General Director of LA Opera

General Director Plácido Domingo renewed his contract with Los Angeles Opera through 2013.

Press Release [PDF] | Official Site