San Francisco Opera opens its 91st season on September 6, 2013, with a gala performance of Arrigo Boito’s Mefistofele, wherein Faust sells his soul to the devil in exchange for perpetual youth. Music Director Nicola Luisotti conducts the San Francisco Opera and Chorus in Robert Carson‘s impressive San Francisco Opera Production directed by Laurie Feldman with designs by Michael Levine, now co-owned by the Metropolitan Opera. The title role of Mefistofele is sung by Russian bass Ildar Abrdazakov in his stage debut, soprano Patricia Racette appears as both Margherita and Elena, and Mexican tenor Ramon Vargas makes his stage debut as Faust. Mefistofele runs through October 2nd.
The opening night festivities are highlighted by Opera Ball 2013: The Garden of Good and Evil, created by celebrity event designer Colin Cowie, and Bravo! Club’s Opening Night Gala. If you go, post comments and photos on social networks using hashtags: #sfoperaball or #DevilinSF.
The opening weekend concludes with San Francisco Chronicle Presents Opera in the Park, a free concert in Golden Gate Park on Sunday, September 8th.
Photo by Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera