San Francisco Opera Celebrates 95th Season With Free OPERA IN THE PARK Concert

San Francisco Opera celebrates the opening of its 95th Season with Opera in the Park, presented by the San Francisco Chronicle, at Sharon Meadow in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park on Sunday, September 10 at 1:30 p.m. This free concert features acclaimed artists from the Company's 2017 Fall Season performing arias and other operatic favorites with the San Francisco Opera Orchestra conducted by Music Director Nicola Luisotti. In the event's time-honored finale, the audience joins with the singers for a rousing rendition of the brindisi (drinking song) from Giuseppe Verdi's La Traviata. San Francisco Opera General Director Matthew Shilvock serves as master of ceremonies for the afternoon.

The roster of artists for this year's concert includes tenor Brian Jagde and soprano Toni Marie Palmertree, stars of the season-opening production of Giacomo Puccini's Turandot; mezzo-soprano Jill Grove and bass-baritone AlFRed Walker from the cast of Richard Strauss' Elektra; soprano Aurelia Florian, tenor Atalla Ayan and baritone Artur Ruci?ski from Giuseppe Verdi's La Traviata; and San Francisco Opera Adler Fellow sopranos Sarah Cambidge and Amina Edris, and tenors Pene Pati and Kyle van Schoonhoven.

Music Director Nicola Luisotti opens San Francisco Opera's 95th Season on September 8 withTurandot and also conducts La Traviata this fall. After nine seasons as music director, Luisotti, who has conducted over 40 operas and concerts with the Company, will step down from his post at the conclusion of the 2017-18 Season. The Italian maestro will be officially honored for his leadership and distinguished tenure at the September 8 Opera Ball gala benefit. Luisotti is scheduled to return to the Company in future seasons as a guest conductor.

Now in its 44th year, Opera in the Park has become one of the Bay Area's most cherished traditions. Established by former San Francisco Opera General Director Kurt Herbert Adler in 1971, the annual free concert celebrating the opening of the San Francisco Opera season draws thousands of music lovers-many of whom enjoy the occasion with elaborate picnics on the lawn-to Golden Gate Park every September to enjoy acclaimed artists in concert with the San Francisco Opera Orchestra. Opera legends from Luciano Pavarotti and Plácido Domingo to Beverly Sills and Marilyn Horne have performed at Opera in the Park.

This event is free; no tickets are required. Bring a picnic and enjoy this outdoor, family-friendly concert; food and beverages will also be available for sale at the event. Parking is extremely limited; taking public transit is highly recommended. Limited ADA parking and seating is available. Artists and program are subject to change. For further information about San Francisco Chronicle Presents Opera in the Park, call (415) 864-3330 or visit sfopera.com/park.

For more information about San Francisco Opera's 2017-18 Season, go to sfopera.com. Connect with San Francisco Opera on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.