Celebrating David!

08/07/2016 Delayed broadcast, KDFC.

This event honored David Gockley, General Director of the San Francisco Opera, upon his retirement. The Gala concert was preceded by a cocktail party in the Wilsey Center and followed by a seated dinner, also in the Wilsey Center.

Mr. Gockley was bestowed emeritus status upon retiring; the first General Director Emeritus for the Company.

San Francisco Opera Orchestra
Kay Stern, Concertmaster

San Francisco Opera Chorus
Ian Robertson, Chorus Director

PROGRAM

Gershwin, Porgy and Bess -- Overture
John DeMain, conductor

Welcome from Gala Chairs John A. & Cynthia Fry Gunn and Gala Honorary Co-Chairs Diane B. Wilsey and Lynn Wyatt

Adams, Nixon in China -- "News"
Edward Nelson, baritone ‡ *
John DeMain, conductor

Dvorák, Rusalka -- "Song to the Moon"
Renée Fleming, soprano
Jirí Belohlávek, conductor

Remarks by San Francisco Opera Center Director Sheri Greenawald and co-hosts Frederica von Stade and Thomas Hampson *

Handel, Giulio Cesare -- "Da tempeste"
Heidi Stober, soprano **
Patrick Summers, conductor *

Floyd, Susannah -- "Ain't it a pretty night?"
Ana María Martínez, soprano **
John DeMain, conductor

Gershwin, Porgy and Bess -- "I Got Plenty o' Nuttin'"
Eric Owens, bass-baritone **
John DeMain, conductor

Verdi, Luisa Miller -- "Quando le sere al placido"
Michael Fabiano, tenor
Nicola Luisotti, conductor

Rossini, La donna del lago -- "Tanti affetti"
Daniela Mack, mezzo-soprano † *
Patrick Summers, conductor *

Wagner, Die Walküre -- Act I finale
Karita Mattila, soprano
Simon O'Neill, tenor *
Patrick Summers, conductor *

Strauss, Der Rosenkavalier -- "Hab' mir's gelobt"
Renée Fleming, soprano
Nadine Sierra, soprano † *
Sasha Cooke, mezzo-soprano
Jirí Belohlávek, conductor

INTERMISSION

Puccini, Turandot -- "Nessun dorma"
Brian Jagde, tenor † *
San Francisco Opera Chorus
Nicola Luisotti, conductor

Boito, Mefistofele -- "Son lo spirit"
René Pape, bass
Nicola Luisotti, conductor

Kern, Show Boat -- "Bill"
Patricia Racette, soprano † *
John DeMain, conductor

Remarks by Frederica von Stade and Thomas Hampson *

Mozart, Le nozze di Figaro -- "Sull'aria ... che soave zeffiretto"
Renée Fleming, soprano
Heidi Stober, soprano **
Nicola Luisotti, conductor

Mascagni, Cavalleria rusticana -- "Voi lo sapete"
Dolora Zajick, mezzo-soprano † *
Nicola Luisotti, conductor

Tutino, Two Women -- Intermezzo
Nicola Luisotti, conductor

Massenet, Manon -- "Toi! Vous! N'est-ce plus ma main?"
Nadine Sierra, soprano † *
Michael Fabiano, tenor
Nicola Luisotti, conductor

Previn, A Streetcar Named Desire -- "I can smell the sea air"
Renée Fleming, soprano
Patrick Summers, conductor*

Berlioz, Les Troyens -- "Ah! Je vais mourir ... Adieu, fière cite"
Sasha Cooke, mezzo-soprano
Patrick Summers, conductor *

Remarks by President of the San Francisco Opera Association, Keith B. Geeslin

Bernstein, Candide -- "Make our garden grow"
Brian Jagde, tenor † *
Julie Adams, soprano ‡ *
Catherine Cook, mezzo-soprano † *
Pene Pati, tenor ‡ *
Edward Nelson, baritone ‡ *
Anthony Reed, bass ‡ *
San Francisco Opera Chorus
John DeMain, conductor

† Adler Fellow Alum ‡ Current Adler Fellow * Merola Opera Program Alum ** Houston Grand Opera Studio Alum

Video tributes:
Cecilia Bartoli
Plácido Domingo
Joyce DiDonato
Francesca Zambello


Note: Sasha Cooke replaced Susan Graham who cancelled due to illness.