5 Things to Know About Opera

There’s no dress code at San Francisco Opera. Ties and tweeds, diamonds and dungarees—dress in what makes you feel comfortable and leave the pressure of costume design to us.

Opera is as alive today as it was hundreds of years ago.

Opera isn’t all horned helmets. Opera is love, life and loyalty. It’s family struggles and romantic comedies. It’s emotional explosions and critiques of society, politics and human behavior.

We have commissioned many new operas, including John Adams’ Dr. Atomic, which explores the creation of the atomic bomb; Heart of a Soldier, the true story of a Vietnam War veteran who risks everything on 9/11; and The Bonesetter’s Daughter, based on Amy Tan’s much-loved novel of the same name.

With opera there’s always something to feast your eyes and ears on, whatever your age. Plus, you’ll never have trouble understanding the story and drama, since all performances have English supertitles projected above the stage.

Balcony seats start at $26 and they come with their own set of perks:

• Great sound. The balcony has some of the best acoustics in the house.

Rush Tickets—discounted tickets available for select performances—and $10 standing room only tickets are two more ways to see great opera for less. Even better, if you plan on seeing more than two operas, look into a subscription package. Subscribing is less expensive than purchasing individual tickets, and includes local deals, discounts, and added savings on additional ticket purchases.

You’ve heard opera in films, television shows, commercials and throughout pop culture. There’s a reason it’s everywhere. It’s infectious, it’s fulfilling and it brings with it a power no other art form can deliver. If you haven’t already done so, we hope you’ll give opera a try.