Opera-lovers, loyal donors, current participants and nostalgic alumni packed Herbst Theatre recently for a Gala Concert celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the Merola Opera Program. It was an evening of tribute and enthusiastic support that underscored the importance of the famously successful training system.
The late Kurt Herbert Adler made the San Francisco Opera one of the nation's leading opera companies after the death of its founder Gaetano Merola. He expanded the budget and promoted innovative programs such as the San Francisco Opera Auditions (1954) and Brown Bag Opera (1974). Adler established full Merola Opera Program training in 1957. Ever-expanding and achieving international recognition over six decades of operation, the program continues to refute the notion that future generations are uninterested in the tradition of grand opera.
Without cost to participants, it trains and nurtures young singers with master classes, public performances, and career grants covering everything from coaching to travel costs for competitions and auditions. Many Merolini have made their mark internationally, including such stars as original barihunk Thomas Hampson, soprano "darling of the day" Joyce DiDonato, lyric soprano Patricia Racette (the Madame Butterfly of a generation), Verdian veteran mezzo-soprano Dolora Zajick and feisty enduring soprano Deborah Voigt.
La Zajick and La Voigt paired to open the Gala Concert with the Barcarolle from Offenbach's "Tales of Hoffman," setting the mood for the entire show. The offstage voices of Merolini in the background added a magical wordless glow. Video greetings from the storied roster of Merola teachers, coaches and graduates appeared at regular intervals throughout the night. Old-timers and newbies lavished praise and thanks for the program that gave them their start.
Alumni from past and recent seasons were present to perform arias and duets live. Gleaming mezzo-soprano Zanda Svede (Merola 2013); promising tenor Issachah Savage (2013); fast-rising tenors Pene Pati (2013) and his brother Amitai (2016), both appearing in SFO's current production of "Rigoletto," along with sensational baritone Quinn Kelsey (2002) and soprano Amina Edris (Merola 2015, married to Pati 2016), joined together in a demonstration of their prodigious talents, all distinguished by intensive Merola training.
Some delightful standout appearances included current SFO go-to character mezzo Catherine Cook (1990) in a funny turn as the Old Lady from Bernstein's "Candide." A fabulous blast from the Merola past, coloratura soprano Tracy Dahl (1985!) is still enjoying an active career and continuing to hit her high C's without batting an eyelash.
Voigt and Cook teamed for an amusing spin on Irving Berlin's "Anything You Can Do" that illustrated the spirit of friendly Merola competition. The concert finale, "Make Our Garden Grow," united past and current participants in a moving chorus of fellowship.
San Francisco has always been an opera town, and the Merola Opera Program provides heartening insurance of keeping it that way. Merola Opera Program continues the 60th Anniversary 2017 Summer Festival with July concerts in San Francisco and at Stanford University. There will also be a trio of short operas staged at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. A fully staged production of Rossini's sparkling "La Cenerentola" fills the Conservatory stage in August. A grand finish follows with the Merola Grand Finale at the War Memorial Opera House. These events are always staged and performed with refreshing invention and professionalism. The thrill of spotting new talent only adds to the fun.
Tickets to public performances can be ordered through the SFO Box Office (415) 864-3330 or online at sfopera.com. For more info: merola.org.