As we come to the close of this most unique of years, I find myself craving musical connection more and more each day. Music binds us in collective experience and it allows us to delve into our emotions and find resonance outside ourselves. The Cambridge Dictionary defines catharsis as “the process of releasing strong emotions through a particular activity or experience, such as writing or theater, in a way that helps you to understand those emotions.” If there was ever a time in which we needed opera to help us process the deep emotions of life, it is this year.

“What?!” Carrie-Ann Matheson’s hands are in the air. It’s mid-December, mere weeks before the celebrated pianist and vocal coach is set to take over as artistic director of the San Francisco Opera Center, and she’s just discovered something shocking about the man scheduled to lead alongside her.

The first thing mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke wants you to know is that you’re not alone. The two-time Grammy winner has experienced firsthand what it is to feel scrutinized, sized up, and ultimately dismissed for how you look. She also knows what it means to internalize that criticism. So on April 25, she went on Instagram with a message.

January 2021 streaming titles, Opera Aficionado composer series, and December workshops.

San Francisco Opera's highest honor presented to retiring Opera Center director.

December 11 & 12 Tosca at the drive-in events postponed due to the City's stay-at-home order.