San Francisco Opera to Present Wagner's DIE MEISTERSINGER VON NURBERG, 11/18

SAN FRANCISCO (November 11, 2015) -- For the first time since 2001, San Francisco Opera presents Richard Wagner's Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg in a new David McVicar co-production with Lyric Opera of Chicago and Glyndebourne Festival Opera. Opening on November 18, theproduction features an illustrious team of Wagner interpreters led by James Rutherford as Hans Sachs, tenor Brandon Jovanovich as Walther von Stolzing and debuting soprano Rachel Willis-Sørensen as Eva, with the San Francisco Opera Orchestra and Chorus conducted by Sir Mark Elder in his Company debut.

Sir David McVicar's "remarkable" (The Guardian) production-here co-directed by Marie Lambert and Ian Rutherford-"brings out the humor and approachability of Wagner's only comedy" (Chicago Tribune) and updates the opera from the original 16th-century setting to early 19th century, the period of the composer's birth. Designed by Vicki Mortimer with lighting by Paule Constable, the richly detailed production brings Wagner's touchingly human story-about a wise cobbler-poet who counsels a young singer in a battle of melody and verse to win the hand of the woman he loves-to joyful life. Sung in German with English supertitles, Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg runs for six performances November 18-December 6, 2015 (evening shows begin at 6 p.m. and matinee at 1 p.m.) at the War Memorial Opera House. For tickets and more information, visit sfopera.com or call (415) 864-3330.

British baritone James Rutherford, renowned for his interpretations of the leading Wagnerian roles, returns to the Company to sing the central role of Hans Sachs. Rutherford, who made his San Francisco Opera debut in 2007 as Wolfram von Eschenbach in Wagner's Tannhäuser, has sung Hans Sachs at venues including the Bayreuth Festival (2010 and 2011), Vienna State Opera, and the 2011 premiere of this production at Glyndebourne Festival Opera. The acclaimed cast also features American tenor Brandon Jovanovich (Walther von Stolzing), debuting soprano RachelWillis-Sørensen (Eva), mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke (Magdalene), tenor Alek Shrader (David), and the Company debut of baritone Martin Gantner (Sixtus Beckmesser).

Sir Mark Elder makes his San Francisco Opera debut conducting Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg. Elder is music director of the Hallé Orchestra, a principal artist of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, and artistic director of Opera Rara. Formerly, he was music director of English National Opera from 1979 to 1993 and has been principal guest conductor of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra, and London Mozart Players. He has appeared annually at the BBC Proms in London for many years, and works regularly in the most prominent international opera houses including the Bayreuth Festival, where he was the first English conductor to conduct a new production.

DIE MEISTERSINGER VON NÜRNBERG INSIGHT PANEL / November 16

Get a rare glimpse into the creative process of our cast and creative team as they share insights about bringing Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg to life. The illuminating panel discussion and audience question and answer session, moderated by Company Dramaturg Dr. Clifford Cranna, will feature conductor Sir Mark Elder; cast members James Rutherford, Brandon Jovanovich and Rachel Willis-Sørensen; and revival co-directors Marie Lambert and Ian Rutherford.

The Insight Panel takes place on Monday, November 16 from 6 p.m.-7 p.m. at Herbst Theater, 401 Van Ness Avenue in San Francisco. Free for San Francisco Opera members, subscribers and students with a valid student ID; $5 for the general public. Pre-registration and tickets are available via Eventbrite; tickets also available at the door. Panel participants are subject to change. For more information, visit sfopera.com/insights.

TICKETS AND INFORMATION

Tickets for Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg are priced from $30 to $410 (subject to change) and may be purchased at sfopera.com or through the San Francisco Opera Box Office at 301 Van Ness Avenue or by phone at (415) 864-3330. Standing Room tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. on the day of each performance; tickets are $10 each, cash only.

The War Memorial Opera House is located at 301 Van Ness Avenue at Grove Street. Patrons are encouraged to use public transportation to attend San Francisco Opera performances. The War

Memorial Opera House is within walking distance of the Civic Center BART station and near numerous bus lines, including 5, 21, 47, 49 and the F Market Street. For more public transportation information, visit bart.gov and sfmta.com.

Casting, programs, schedules and ticket prices are subject to change. For further information aboutDie Meistersinger von Nürnberg and San Francisco Opera's 2015-16 Season, please visitsfopera.com.