George Bailey
2018-19 Season
It's a Wonderful Life
San Francisco Opera Co-Commission
by Jake Heggie
Overview
Dates
November 17, 20, 24, 25, 29; December 1, 4, 7, 9, 2018
Language
Sung in English with English supertitles
Composer
Jake Heggie
Libretto
Gene Scheer
No one is a failure who has friends.
Meet Clara, a second-tier angel desperate to earn her wings by doing good deeds, and the man she chooses to save: George Bailey, a down-and-out businessman ready to leave this world behind. Based on Frank Capra’s beloved film, this timeless story of second chances debuts just in time for the holiday season. Come witness the magic as Clara sets out to change George’s life in this high-flying spectacle.
The Buzz
"a deeply pleasing addition to the roster of holiday entertainment."
—San Francisco Chronicle
"It’s a Wonderful Life is so good—and so necessary."
—Mercury News
"the pleasures of this operatic version emerged unbridled on opening night."
—San Francisco Chronicle
Synopsis
Through the help of an intervening angel, a desperate man discovers the meaningful impact of his life.
Cast
Clara
Golda Schultz *1
Clara
Kearstin Piper Brown *2
Mary Hatch
Andriana Chuchman *
Mr. Potter
Rod Gilfry
Uncle Billy Bailey
Keith Jameson *
Harry Bailey
Joshua Hopkins *
Angel Quartet
Ashley Dixon *
Angel Quartet
Christian Pursell
Crew
Conductor
Patrick Summers
Director
Leonard Foglia
Set Designer
Robert Brill
Costume Designer
David C. Woolard
Lighting Designer
Brian Nason
Projection Designer
Elaine J. McCarthy
Choreographer
Keturah Stickann
*San Francisco Opera debut
1 November 17, 20, 24, 25, 29; December 1, 4, 7
2 December 9
2018 Performances
November 17, 20, 24, 25, 29; December 1, 4, 7, 9
Based on the 1946 Frank Capra movie of the same name (by permission of Paramount Licensing, Inc.) and “The Greatest Gift” by Philip Van Doren Stern.
A co-commission and co-production with Houston Grand Opera and the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.
By arrangement with Bent Pen Music, Inc.
Watch
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It's a Wonderful Life: Behind the scenes with our high-flying artists as they prepare for lift-off during rehearsals!
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It's a Wonderful Life: A peek behind the scenes
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It's a Wonderful Life: Moving Moment with George Bailey (played by tenor William Burden)
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Jake Heggie explains why It's a Wonderful Life is a great option for first-time operagoers
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It's a Wonderful Life: Moving Moment with character Mary Hatch (played by soprano Andriana Chuchman)
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It's a Wonderful Life composer Jake Heggie loves Christmas
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It's a Wonderful Life Behind-the-Scenes: The Wings' Journey
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It's a Wonderful Life Pre-Show Talk
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It's a Wonderful Life Moving Moment 2
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Behind the Scenes: It's a Wonderful Life
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It's a Wonderful Life Moving Moment 4
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It's a Wonderful Life Moving Moment 1
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It's a Wonderful Life Production Trailer
Look
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San Francisco Opera's production of It's a Wonderful Life. Photo by Cory Weaver.
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San Francisco Opera's production of It's a Wonderful Life. Photo by Cory Weaver.
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San Francisco Opera's production of It's a Wonderful Life. Photo by Cory Weaver.
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San Francisco Opera's production of It's a Wonderful Life. Photo by Cory Weaver.
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San Francisco Opera's production of It's a Wonderful Life. Photo by Cory Weaver.
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San Francisco Opera's production of It's a Wonderful Life. Photo by Cory Weaver.
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San Francisco Opera's production of It's a Wonderful Life. Photo by Cory Weaver.
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San Francisco Opera's production of It's a Wonderful Life. Photo by Cory Weaver.
Listen
Audio excerpts are from the 2016 performance of It's a Wonderful Life with the Houston Grand Opera Orchestra, conducted by Patrick Summers.
“Mustn’t fail”/Talese Trevigne (Clara); "What'd you wish for, Mary?”/William Burden (George Bailey); “No one is a failure who has friends"/Houston Grand Opera Chorus and Orchestra.
Pentatone American Operas, PTC 5186 631
Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc
Related Articles
Dive deeper by exploring articles before or after the opera!
Made Possible By
John A. and Cynthia Fry Gunn; Kaiser Permanente; The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation; San Francisco Opera Guild; Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem, through the Emerging Stars Fund; and an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.