Merola Spring Gala: Evening of Mystery

Merola Gala, Red Carpet Bay Area
Sarah Cambidge and Kyle van Schoonhoven perform at Merola Spring Gala "Evening of Mystery"

Merola Opera Program, one of the most prestigious and selective opera training programs in the world, presented an Evening of Mystery at the Ritz-Carlton San Francisco on April 7, 2018. The celebratory night included dinner, dancing, and a concert by the San Francisco Opera Adler Fellows with special guest Jake Heggie.

The annual spring gala serves as a fundraiser for Merola’s intensive summer training program, now in its 61st season. Each year 29 artists including aspiring singers, coach-accompanists, and stage directors, are carefully selected from a pool of over 800 applicants. The Merola artists participate in master classes and private coaching with opera’s most accomplished singers, conductors, and directors. Offered free of charge for all participants, the Merola Opera Program is the only young artist program to provide financial support to developing artists for five years following participation.

Merola graduates are considered for participation in the prestigious San Francisco Opera Adler Fellowship Program, a multi-year performance-oriented residency. Merola has served as a proving ground for hundreds of artists who have gone on to extensive careers in opera, including Leona Mitchell, Anna Netrebko, Patricia Racette, Carol Vaness, Deborah Voigt, Joyce DiDonato, Susan Graham, Dolora Zajick, Rolando Villazon, Thomas Hampson, and Patrick Summers among many others.

Scenes from the Merola Spring Gala Evening of Mystery:

Photos by Devlin Shand for Drew Altizer Photography

Bay Area audiences will have the chance to see the Merola opera stars of tomorrow throughout the summer beginning with the Schwabacher Summer Concert on July 5th in San Francisco and July 7th in Palo Alto. Click here for the full concert schedule and related information.

— Related Red Carpet Bay Area coverage for Merola Opera Program: