Opera Talks

Our Repertoire of Talks

This suite of lectures covers a wide range of opera topics, from the intro level Opera 101 to an exploration of operatic Shakespeare adaptations and so much more. Curated and presented by San Francisco Opera's Cole Thomason-Redus (a life-long opera fan and musician who has been with SFO since his days in the San Francisco Boys' Chorus), our Opera Talks series seeks to make the sometimes opaque and insular world of opera accessible to everyone.

This 101-minute survey covers the first 400 years of operatic history, beginning with Dafne in 1597 and ending with A Streetcar Named Desire in 1998. Along the way, we’ll introduce and explain the most important terms and concepts in opera, and enjoy recordings by some of the most celebrated stars of the opera stage. Designed to be wholly accessible to the opera novice, OPERA 101 is packed full with content intended to entertain and educate even the most seasoned opera afficionado.
This 90-minute survey explores the careers and recordings of black pioneers such as H.T. Burleigh and Marian Anderson, midcentury superstars such as Leontyne Price, and modern-day masters of the American opera stage. In addition to celebrating these iconic voices, we will discuss the institutional and social barriers that have often existed within the art form, and the corrective and equity-based efforts being taken today as San Francisco Opera paves the way for a new century of opera in America.
Join Cole Thomason-Redus for a continuation of his popular survey of Black Voices in American Opera.

This 90-minute presentation will focus on the careers and recordings of both seasoned and emerging African American artists on today’s world stage of opera. In addition to celebrating these proud voices, we will discuss the institutional and social barriers that have often existed within the art form, and the corrective and equity-based efforts being taken today as San Francisco Opera paves the way for a new century of opera in America. Admission is free of cost and open to all.
Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou, Romeo? … He’s at the opera, of course!

From British composers Henry Purcell and Benjamin Britten to the Italian operatic master Giuseppe Verdi, the plays of William Shakespeare can be found all over the canon of western operatic repertoire. This 90-minute survey explores the works of The Bard through the context of opera, highlighting celebrated standards and rarely seen gems in which all the world’s a stage and all it’s people sing.
The most seasoned fans of opera may know the masterful operatic works of British composer Benjamin Britten, but perhaps not so much about the not-so-hidden yet quite forbidden romance with his longterm partner in life and on stage, operatic tenor Peter Pears. This 90-minute survey explores and celebrates the romance of this midcentury British power couple who kissed in the shadows while forever changing the world of British opera.
Explore the sound of America through the history of opera in America. This 90-minute survey covers 150 years of American opera, ranging from the first operas performed for British colonists all the way to major contemporary works, including Jake Heggie's Dead Man Walking, Philip Glass' Einstein on the Beach, and John Adam's Nixon in China. Along the way, we’ll celebrate iconic masterpieces such as Scott Joplin's Treemonisha, Bernstein's Candide and Trouble in Tahiti, and Gershwin's Porgy and Bess.
di·va (noun):
1. A famous female opera singer
2. A self-important person who is temperamental and difficult to please
3. Latin word for “goddess”
They portray gods and goddesses, countesses, and courtesans. They command our attention, rule the stage, and amaze us with their divine beauty of song. Where would opera be without its glorious divas? This 90-minute survey explores the real-life and on-stage bigger-than-life characters we’ve come to love (and sometimes love to hate!)
Head south of the border to discover a wealth of treasure on the operatic stage. This 90-minute survey explores the rich history and tradition of Zarzuela (Spanish-language opera), influential South American composers such as Astor Piazolla and Heitor Villa-Lobos, and the voices of Latinx superstars. Whether you’re new to opera or a seasoned aficionado, there’s a whole other world of musical storytelling to add to your opera playlist.
This 90-minute survey is a deep-dive into the operatic favorites of presenter Cole Thomason-Redus. Whether you’re a fan of early operas by Monteverdi, the beloved romantic classics of Verdi and Puccini, or contemporary additions to operatic repertoire, there’s sure to be a scene for everyone! For those who have yet to dive into the world of opera, this is the perfect opportunity to browse the diversity of storytelling that exists in this timeless and transformative art form.