This Saturday, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., it's open house in the War Memorial, 301 Van Ness Ave. at Grove St., offering onstage musical and technical demonstrations, family activities, and screening of Carmen for Families - The Movie.
Celebrating the company's 90th anniversary, the event is free to the public, with all ages welcome. There will be guided tours through the historic Opera House, which opened 80 years ago. Demonstrations will showcase aspects of the current productions of Puccini’s Tosca and Wagner’s Lohengrin.
Excerpts from the two operas will be presented at 11:35 a.m. and 1:05 p.m., Nicola Luisotti will conduct the Opera Orchestra and Chorus, featuring soprano Melody Moore and tenor Brian Jagde. Technical demonstrations at 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. will show aspects of set-building and lighting elements.
Also scheduled: costume displays and musical performances by three San Francisco Opera Adler Fellows. There will be a drawing for exclusive backstage tour on the day of the Open House.
"This anniversary is a testament to the extraordinary talents of all of the artists and individuals onstage and behind the scenes who have contributed to this company’s storied history," said General Director David Gockley. "Please join us as we showcase the many facets of this great opera company and this beautiful opera house."
Tickets are not required for the open house, but those registering online will be entered in a drawing to win four tickets to the company's co-production with Cal Performances of The Secret Garden, a family opera to be performed in March.
War Memorial Opera House food and refreshment concessions, as well as the San Francisco Opera Shop, will be open. For information, see www.sfopera.com/openhouse or call (415) 864-3330.