San Francisco Opera 2017 National Broadcast Series on the WFMT Radio Network
The 2017 national radio broadcast series of San Francisco Opera performances on the WFMT Radio Network begins on Saturday, September 2 with a 1979 archival broadcast of Amilcare Ponchielli's La Gioconda. The cast features soprano Renata Scotto in the title role and tenor Luciano Pavarotti as Enzo Grimaldi, each singing their role for the first time on any stage.
Hosted by Dianne Nicolini, the weekly national broadcasts of San Francisco Opera performances, recorded live at the War Memorial Opera House, air at 10 a.m. PDT on Saturdays through October 14 (times may vary, please check local listings). Performances feature the San Francisco Opera Orchestra and San Francisco Opera Chorus (Ian Robertson, Chorus Director).
Additional broadcasts in the 2017 series include: Verdi's Aida on September 9, conducted by San Francisco Opera Music Director Nicola Luisotti, featuring Leah Crocetto in the title role and Brian Jagde as Radames; Puccini's Madama Butterfly on September 16 starring Lianna Haroutounian as Cio-Cio-San and Vincenzo Costanzo as Lieutenant B.F. Pinkerton; Giordano's Andrea Chénier on September 23, with Maestro Luisotti leading Yonghoon Lee in the title role, Anna Pirozzi as Maddalena and George Gagnidze as Carlo Gérard; Dream of the Red Chamber on September 30, featuring the San Francisco Opera world premiere opera by Chinese American composer Bright Sheng and acclaimed playwright David Henry Hwang; Donizetti's comedic Don Pasquale on October 7 featuring an ensemble cast of bass-baritone Maurizio Muraro in the title role, baritone Lucas Meachem as Dr. Malatesta, the Company debut of tenor Lawrence Brownlee as Ernesto, and soprano Heidi Stober as Norina; and on October 14 an archival broadcast from 1980 of Richard Strauss and Hugo von Hofmannsthal's Arabella starring soprano Kiri Te Kanawa in one of her most acclaimed portrayals as the title character.
San Francisco Opera is featured on WFMT Radio Network's 2017 American Opera Series, which also features performances by the Lyric Opera of Chicago, LA Opera, Caramoor, Opera Southwest, Arizona Opera and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra which presents a concert version of Verdi's Falstaff. Now in its eleventh year, WFMT Radio Network's American Opera Series is designed to provide public and commercial stations with outstanding live opera performances. The WFMT Radio Network is one of the world's most respected producers and distributors of classical, jazz, folk and public affairs programming. For more information, visit radionetwork.wfmt.com.
For more information about San Francisco Opera's radio broadcasts, visit sfopera.com/broadcast.
More Hot Stories For You

January 27, 2023
The Bronx Opera Company will open its 56th season with the landmark musical LADY IN THE DARK, music by Kurt Weill, lyrics by Ira Gershwin, and book by Moss Hart.

January 24, 2023
The great opera TOSCA will be presented by Guild Opera Company on Friday January 27th and Saturday January 28th at 7:30 PM at River of the Valley in Canoga Park.

January 21, 2023
The Bronx Opera Company will open its 56th season with the landmark musical LADY IN THE DARK, music by Kurt Weill, lyrics by Ira Gershwin, and book by Moss Hart. Performances will be on Saturday & Sunday, January 28 & 29 Saturday & Sunday, February 4 & 5.

January 18, 2023
Wagner's soaring masterpiece Lohengrin returns to the Met stage after 17 years, in a new production by internationally renowned director François Girard. The production runs from February 26th-April 1st.

January 17, 2023
OPERA America is pleased to recognize the leadership achievements and dedication of three women administrators who have been selected as protégés in the 2022‒2023 Mentorship Program for Women Administrators.