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Broadcast Intermission Features

 

Delve into the illustrious history of San Francisco Opera through archival interviews featuring luminaries like Luciano Pavarotti and Montserrat Caballé on the eve of making their role debuts in Puccini's Turandot in 1977 or Leontyne Price on her relationship with the Company. Additional features include a 1932 broadcast walking tour of the then-brand-new War Memorial Opera House and a discussion panel about the 2008 Company premiere of Korngold's Die tote Stadt.

An opera performer in a black gown and ornate crown sings beside a broad golden staircase, while a man in a dark robe stands on the steps across from her.

Broadcast Intermission

Montserrat Caballe and Luciano Pavarotti (TURANDOT, 1977)

Arthur Kaplan, then staff writer in San Francisco Opera’s Public Relations Department, interviewed Montserrat Caballé and Luciano Pavarotti. The opening of Turandot had taken place several days earlier, and the artists talked about their experiences in performing what for both of them had been firsts in their operatic careers. 

(run time ~ 15 minutes)

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A vintage San Francisco Opera Association ticket for the War Memorial Opera House grand opening on October 15, 1932. It is for an orchestra seat, right section, row G, seat 18, priced at $10.

NBC Broadcast Tour of the Opera House

Inaugural Opening of the War Memorial Opera House, October 15, 1932

"Citizenry of San Francisco, join me in a greeting of welcome, and in extending you a cordial invitation to join us in the glory of the opera, a dream long denied fulfilled, and the opera house in which the most enthusiastic opera lover could feel a just and glowing pride ... "

(run time ~ 14 minutes)

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Close-up of an opera singer in a pale blue patterned dress, white neck scarf, and bonnet, singing against a dark stage background.

Broadcast Intermission

Leontyne Price (MANON LESCAUT, 1974)

The OTHER Manon ... Otto Guth asks of Leontyne Price: Do you like doing operas for the first time here in San Francisco with us?  Her reply: Yes, for many reasons.  The first place, I am blissfully happy here, which probably may be the reason that I come so often.  Also, it’s sort of like a good luck charm, because ..."

(run time ~ 17 minutes)

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Two opera performers stand on a dark stage: a younger woman in a brown period dress looks toward an older woman in black, who holds a hand to her chest.

Broadcast Intermission

Sena Jurinac and Elisabeth Söderström (JENŮFA, 1980)

Eavesdrop on October 10th, 1980 as we listen in to a charming conversation between Sena Jurinac (as Kostelnicka) and Elisabeth Söderström (as Jenůfa), moderated by Marilyn Mercur (SF Opera broadcast producer).

(run time ~ 23 minutes)

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Black-and-white portrait of a young Black man in a dark suit, white shirt, and patterned tie, looking slightly to the side.

Broadcast Intermission

Calvin Simmons, Gerald Freedman, Richard Rodzinski (LADY MACBETH OF MTSENSK, 1981)

Listen in on a lunch time panel as Calvin Simmons (conductor), Gerald Freedman (stage director), and Richard Rodzinski (whose father Artur Rodzinski was instrumental in bringing this opera to the U.S.) discuss Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk.

(run time ~ 15 minutes)

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An older opera performer in an elaborate white wig, feathered headdress, and jeweled collar looks upward; a younger man in a white military-style uniform stands behind her.

Broadcast Intermission

Regina Resnik (PIKOVAYA DAMA, 1975)

Join Scott Beach, longtime SF Opera broadcaster, as he and Regina Resnik delve into her characterization of The Countess.

(run time ~ 16 minutes)

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Two opera performers sit side by side against a blue-lit stage backdrop: a man in a brown period suit and a woman in a white sleeveless gown with a shaved head.

Broadcast Intermission

Emily Magee and Torsten Kerl (DIE TOTE STADT, 2008)

As Magee and Kerl point out, Decker’s production strategy solves a dramatic problem even as it places added burdens on the soprano and tenor leads -- they forfeit an interval of relief from roles that are among opera’s most taxing, sacrificing their comfort to verisimilitude.

(run time ~ 12 minutes)

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An opera performer in a white blouse and brown vest stands against a dark background, clasping her hands to her chest and tilting her face upward.

Broadcast Intermission

Gwyneth Jones (FIDELIO, 1978)

Anyone who knows me (Terence McEwen, Executive VP of London Records) knows that Gwyneth Jones is a very special prima donna in my life.  The last 20 years I’ve been working with famous prima donnas, but you have to have some favorites and Gwyneth is one of my special favorites, so it’s a terrific thrill for me to be here in San Francisco, my sweet, to interview about Fidelio. 

(run time ~ 19 minutes)

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An opera singer in a blue double-breasted suit, white shirt, and patterned tie stands against a black stage background, looking slightly to the side.

Guild Insight Panel

Donald Runnicles, Meisje Hummel, Lucas Meachem (DIE TOTE STADT, 2008)

In 1972 the San Francisco Opera Guild initiated - Opera Salon, renamed Insight Panels in 1980 - a series of panel discussions by experts on various topics. 

Join Kip Cranna as he talks with Die tote Stadt's conductor Donald Runnicles, revival director Meisje Hummel, and lead tenor Lucas Meachem singing the role(s) of Fritz/Frank.

(run time ~59 minutes)

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Blurry black-and-white video still of several people in formal clothing standing together; playback controls are visible along the bottom.

San Francisco Opera, 1930s Footage

Richard Bonelli Collection, Stanford University

Baritone Richard Bonelli, was a frequent artists with the San Francisco Opera from 1926 to 1942.  During that time, his wife Mona frequently could be found, camera in hand, filming whatever activity might be going on.

The San Francisco Opera footage, from the Richard Bonelli Collection held at Stanford University, captures some of the first offerings of the Opera at the War Memorial Opera House, which opened in 1932. Footage includes performances, dress rehearsals, and backstage activities. 

(https://tinyurl.com/richard-bonelli)

Black-and-white opera scene: a woman in a headscarf and long skirt sits beside a low table piled with flowers or produce, while a figure stands in a dark doorway behind her.

Archival Interview

Bidu Sayao (MANON, 1939 - interview 1979)

Listen in as Terry McEwen, SF Opera's third general director, engages his dear friend Bidú Sayão in a lively conversation recorded for radio broadcast in 1979 -- 40 years after her Company debut in Manon.

(run time ~ 31 minutes)

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A man in a dark coat and brown waistcoat sings with his hands outstretched on a dim stage; a woman in a mauve period gown and broad hat watches from behind him.

Broadcast Intermission

Antonio de Almedia (WERTHER, 1978)

Long-time San Francisco Opera legend, James Schwabacher, sits down with Maestro Antonio de Almeida to discuss Massenet, Werther, and what makes an opera French.


(run time ~ 16 minutes)

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