Haute Scenes: San Francisco Opera

Live and In Person: The Homecoming

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – September 10 – SF Opera’s One-Night-Only Concert Event 2021 on September 10th 2021 at Oracle Park/ Opera House in San Francisco, CA (Photo – Natalie Schrik for Drew Altizer Photography)

Different times called for different measures at the San Francisco Opera, where an event called Live and in Concert: The Homecoming replaced the traditional Opera Ball.

Music Director Eun Sun Kim led soprano Rachel Willis-Sørensen, mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton, and the opera orchestra in a concert for 2,000 guests at the War Memorial Opera House. The concert was simulcast free to 7,000 fans at Oracle Park.

A scaled-back, pre-performance reception and post-show dinner for 90 patrons substituted safety for grandeur. No gowns or tuxedos, either. The attire of the moment was simpler: masks and blue lapel pins signifying vaccination.

Karen Kubin and Linda Kemper attend SF Opera’s One-Night-Only Concert Event on September 10th 2021 at Oracle Park/ Opera House in San Francisco, CA (Photo – Drew Altizer Photography)
Paul Pelosi and Dede Wilsey attend SF Opera’s One-Night-Only Concert Event on September 10th 2021 at Oracle Park/ Opera House in San Francisco, CA (Photo – Drew Altizer Photography)
Marc Scorca, Jake Heggie and Jamie Barton attend SF Opera’s One-Night-Only Concert Event on September 10th 2021 at Oracle Park/ Opera House in San Francisco, CA (Photo – Drew Altizer Photography)
Roman Gronkowski, Maria Pitcairn and Robert Beadle attend SF Opera’s One-Night-Only Concert Event on September 10th 2021 at Oracle Park/ Opera House in San Francisco, CA (Photo – Drew Altizer Photography)
John Gunn and Cynthia Gunn attend SF Opera’s One-Night-Only Concert Event on September 10th 2021 at Oracle Park/ Opera House in San Francisco, CA (Photo – Drew Altizer Photography)
Keith Geeslin and Priscilla Geeslin attend SF Opera’s One-Night-Only Concert Event on September 10th 2021 at Oracle Park/ Opera House in San Francisco, CA (Photo – Drew Altizer Photography)
Maria Manetti Shrem and Matthew Shilvock attend SF Opera’s One-Night-Only Concert Event on September 10th 2021 at Oracle Park/ Opera House in San Francisco, CA (Photo – Drew Altizer Photography)