Letter from the President of the United States

I send my warmest greetings to all those celebrating the 100th Anniversary
of the San Francisco Opera.

Little can capture the drama of the human experience or convey the
sounds that touch our soul like opera. For a century, generations have
attended the San Francisco Opera’s powerful performances and left with a
feeling that modern adaptions from the works of artists like Shakespeare,
Verdi, and Puccini were written just for them. That’s the power of art—
no matter where it comes from, in what language the story is told, or how
old the tale, art speaks to us in a common language, nourishes our soul,
and celebrates the bonds we share.

As you celebrate this centennial anniversary, I hope you take pride in the
community this historic space has fostered and all the people it has lifted
up—from the artists on stage to the audiences who enjoy their incredible
talent. May the San Francisco Opera continue to help so many discover
and rediscover the power of art for years to come.