Between saying a Sondheim-esque "sorry-grateful/regretful-happy" goodbye to San Francisco Opera's summer season (with its unforgettable Les Troyens) and awaiting the fall season, there is no need to give up opera — as if that were possible.
Public performances of the Merola Opera Program begin as soon as Thursday, running through August. Also, to be detailed elsewhere, there are West Edge Opera's summer offerings, July 25-Aug. 9; and Pocket Opera's Cosi fan Tutte, July 12-26.
Merola 2015's opening event is on Thursday, with the Schwabacher Summer Concert in the S.F. Conservatory of Music — named in memory of James H. Schwabacher (1920-2006), a major benefactor of numerous programs supporting young singers. The event is repeated Saturday at a free outdoor performance at Yerba Buena Gardens.
With Valéry Ryvkin conducting the orchestra, the Schwabacher concerts present extended scenes from four operas: Verdi’s La Traviata and Don Carlo, Carlisle Floyd's Susannah, and Wagner’s Die Walküre. Major roles are sung by Meredith Mecum, Toni Marie Palmertree, Michael Papincak, and Raehann Bryce-Davis.
Two staged opera programs follow, two performances each, all in Cowell Theater, Fort Mason: a double-bill of Menotti's The Medium and Puccini's Gianni Schicchi on July 23 and 25; Donizetti's Don Pasquale on Aug. 6 and 8.
Nicole Woodward, Kathryn Bowden, and Madison Leonard are featured in The Medium; Kihun Yoon sings the title of role of Gianni Schicchi; Cree Carrico and Christopher Bozeka are the young lovers, Lauretta and Rinuccio. Mark Morash conducts, Peter Kazaras is stage director.
The title role of Don Pasquale is sung by James Ioelu; Soonchan Kwon is Ernesto, Amina Edris is Norina. Warren Jones conducts, Nic Muni is stage director.
The Merola grand finale and reception in the War Memorial closes the program on Aug. 22.