San Francisco Opera Presents Public Insight Panel Discussions

San Francisco Opera will present two public Insight Panel discussions next week to explore and illuminate the operas that will open the Company's 94th season during the weekend of September 9.

Members of the creative teams and casts behind the American production premiere of David McVicar's staging of Giordano's Andrea Chénier and the world premiere of Bright Sheng and David Henry Hwang's Dream of the Red Chamber will gather in two public forum events to discuss the stories and music of these works and provide behind-the-scenes glimpses of the creative process involved with bringing these operas to life on the stage of the War Memorial Opera House. Each session will feature a moderated panel discussion and opportunity for the audience to ask questions.

After a 25-year absence, Giordano's tale of love and sacrifice during the tumultuous French Revolution returns to San Francisco Opera's repertory in a brilliant period staging to open the season on Friday, September 9. On Monday, August 29, the creative team behind the lavish production will discuss this seminal work of the Italian repertory and their work to transport audiences into its passionate and turbulent landscape.

Panelists include director David McVicar, conductor and Music Director Nicola Luisotti, costume designer Jenny Tiramani and baritone George Gagnidze (Gérard). Moderated by Jon Finck, Company Director of Communications and Public Relations

Hailed as the "hottest ticket in town" (San Francisco Chronicle), the world premiere of Sheng and Hwang's Dream of the Red Chamber is one of the most anticipated operatic events of recent years. Commissioned by San Francisco Opera, the opera adapts one of the greatest works of Chinese literature into a bold theatrical experience. On Thursday, September 1, Sheng, conductor George Manahan and cast members soprano Pureum Jo and tenor Yijie Shi will discuss this exciting, new work.

San Francisco Opera's August 29 and September 1 Insights Panel discussions will be held at Herbst Theatre in the Veterans Building, 401 Van Ness Avenue, at 6:30 pm. Admission is free for San Francisco Opera Members and students (please note: Membership Cards or valid Student IDs must be presented for entry to the events). General admission for each event is $5.

To purchase admission online for the Monday August 29 Andrea Chénier Insight Panel, please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/insight-panel-andrea-chenier-tickets-22243397601. For online sales to the Thursday, September 1 Dream of the Red Chamber Insight Panel, please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/insight-panel-dream-of-the-red-chamber-tickets-22243543036