San Francisco Opera Guild

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Summer Conservatory 2025 is underway! This summer, we'll be producing Purcell's Fairy Queen/A Midsummer Night's Dream with a spectacular cast of talented young artists. More updates to come!

Vesna Cikovic David Lum Pat Lord - May she rest in peace Thank you for giving me the gift of music. Music was never an option—it was a requirement. It stretched my mental capacity, fueled my creativity, and taught me how to perform with discipline and heart. My Dad would invest in pianos and instruments so we had the best tools to excel in music. The cost of music lessons was graciously covered by my Aunt, who dropped off a check every month so we could attend classes at Brimley and Sheppard. My Mom did the pick ups and drop offs. My brother and I both grew to love music deeply, and to this day, it remains a daily topic of conversation between us. We met Vesna, a piano teacher who truly cared and quietly demanded excellence. Our mom insisted we practice for a minimum of two hours a day—rain, shine, hail, snow, or sleet. Under Vesna’s guidance, my brother and I became one of the best piano duet duos in the City of Toronto for many years. She nurtured my love of classical music and developed my brother’s gift of playing by ear. Vesna, we thank you. On Sundays, I would be dropped off at Auntie Pat’s house, where I learned the power of storytelling—using my voice and music. I spent countless hours with her, mastering the craft of singing and performance. If you’ve ever heard me sing, you’ve heard her in my phrasing and tone. I miss you deeply. Rest in peace. One of the most challenging and rewarding chapters of my musical journey was under the direction of David Lum. He is one of the most remarkable and talented musicians of our time. I attended his weekly classes and his after-school program, which gave us the opportunity to win numerous awards and travel internationally with the ACI band. I’ll never forget those years. My brother and I often reflect on them—the discipline, the intensity, and how they deepened our love and respect for music. Music has shaped my life. And now, I have the privilege of helping young people in San Francisco discover the transformative power of opera. I honored to join the San Francisco Opera Guild as a Board of Director. San Francisco Opera Guild

The lady in the blue dress. Who is she? Let's start here... She's a multifaceted woman - a music enthusiast, wife, mother, entrepreneur, speaker, author, niece, daughter... Thanks to the San Francisco Opera Guild and Neiman Marcus San Francisco Anna Chung for the warm welcome at the Benefactor and Grand Benefactor pre-event celebration hosted by Chloe King. As a member of the Board of Directors, it was a privilege to spend the evening with individuals united by a common goal - to enrich students' lives with Opera music.

Oh, what a day! The San Francisco Opera Guild in partnership with Neiman Marcus San Francisco Anna Chung outdid themselves once again. Our Art of Fashion event was a stunning success. Congrats to my co Board of Directors who chaired this phenomenal experience. Not only did we raise thousands of dollars to support Opera programs across the Bay Area, but we also dove into the intricate world of fashion trends and forecasts with the brilliant Chloe King, Director of Fashion and Lifestyle as SAKS Global. I had the pleasure of sitting with my guests and enjoying a beautifully crafted meal, inspiring fashion show. The highlight? Hearing the sweet sounds of the Opera Guild Scouts—pure magic. Thank you, Susan Malott and team, for all that you do to make these days memorable, impactful, and exquisite. My look: The only brand I can stand behind Fendi Ashley Ward Manolo Blahnik Ami Colé Diarrha Ndiaye

Neiman Marcus and the San Francisco Opera Guild recently brought fashion and philanthropy together in style at ‘The Art of Fashion’ Runway Show and Luncheon hosted at Neiman Marcus San Francisco. Attendees gathered to celebrate the best in luxury fashion while raising essential funds to support the San Francisco Opera Guild’s award-winning music education programs. The event featured an engaging presentation by Chloe King, Director of Fashion & Lifestyle at Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus, on fall fashion trends, followed by an exclusive runway show spotlighting the latest collections from the world’s leading designers including Brunello Cucinelli, Carolina Herrera, Etro, Libertine, Monique Lhuillier, Michael Kors and Tom Ford. Neiman Marcus creates the magic through exceptional service and unforgettable, one-of-a-kind experiences that delight and inspire our customers.

Congratulations, Régine! Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication these past two years. We're so excited to see what you accomplish next.

🌈 Last Friday, the War Memorial Opera House was illuminated—by music, by light, by joy, and by the power of community. San Francisco Opera’s first-ever Pride Concert wasn’t just a performance. It was a declaration. Of queer brilliance. Of belonging. Of love in all its forms. From the soaring voices on stage to the shimmering projections overhead… from dancing in the lobby to tears in the final ovation… it was a night that reminded us why we gather, why we sing, why we celebrate. As drag legend Donna Sachet so perfectly said: “This is proof we exist.” To every artist and audience member—thank you. You made history with us. We'll see you next year. 📸 Matthew Washburn, Kristen Loken

✊ Did you know that before Stonewall, there was The Compton’s Cafeteria Riot? In 1966, in a Tenderloin cafeteria, trans women and drag queens had enough. When police came to harass them yet again, they fought back. While the original site of Compton’s Cafeteria is gone, its legacy endures through a commemorative plaque, vibrant murals, and a dedicated exhibit in the permanent collection of the Tenderloin Museum. 🔗 Read more in our Blog, San Francisco’s Living Legacy: The Pride Circle at the link in bio. 📸1. Inside Gene Compton’s Cafeteria in San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood, ca. 1966 / Henri Leleu, Heri Leleu Papers (1997-13), GLBT Historical Society. 2. Riot Aftermath / The Center for Preservation of Civil Rights Sites 3. The Compton’s Cafeteria building (2023) / JL Odom 4. Historical marker (1966) / Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle 5. Tenderloin Museum / JL Odom

What is a dramaturg? One hint, it’s not a monster. “I get asked that question all the time. My quick answer is scholar in residence, in terms of how it applies to me.” ⭐ Meet Kip Cranna, SF Opera’s resident opera whisperer (official title: Dramaturg Emeritus (Scholar in Residence) of San Francisco Opera. Kip is the behind-the-scenes maestro who dives deep into the why and how of productions, connecting the dots between composer, story, history, and audience. In “Streaming the First Century” Kip recalls how he got started with the San Francisco Opera in 1979, remembers Beverly Sills, and gives glimpses into behind-the-scene stories about André Previn, the rise of Jake Heggie, and Merola’s charisma. 🔗Go in depth with his interview at the link in bio: 📆Mark your calendar for a special speaker engagement with Kip, a 90-minute in-person presentation exploring La Bohème. https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.pbit.ly/4jr2vay 📸 1. Kip Cranna (2008) / Kristen Loken 2. Bevery Sills in Puritani (1977) / Ron Scherl 3. André Previn, Streetcar Named Desire (1998-99) / Marty Sohl