San Francisco

Innocence, Kaija Saariaho’s masterpiece, packs a wallop in its U.S. premiere in San Francisco

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United StatesUnited States Saariaho, Innocence: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of San Francisco Opera / Clément Mao-Takacs (conductor). War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco, 1.6.2024. (HS)

Rotating set for a wedding venue and the scene of a school shooting © Corey Weaver/SFO

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Set in the silent movie era, The Magic Flute delivers pluses and minuses in San Francisco

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United StatesUnited States Mozart, The Magic Flute: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of San Francisco Opera / Eun Sun Kim (conductor). War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco, 30.5.2024. (HS)

Lauri Vasar (Papageno) made mute by the Ladies removing his lips and teeth © Corey Weaver/SFO

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Lively casts and timely reflections mark the premiere of this sports opera double bill in San Francisco

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United StatesUnited States ‘Birds & Balls’: Soloists, Orchestra of Opera Parallèle / Nicole Paiement (conductor). SFJAZZ Miner Auditorium, San Francisco, 5.4.2024. (HS)

Nikola Printz (Billie Jean King) and Nathan Granner (Bobby Riggs) in an operatic reenactment of their 1973 match © Kristen Loken

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Esa-Pekka Salonen’s distinctive Sibelius in the first SFS concert after announcing his 2025 departure

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United StatesUnited States Sibelius: Lisa Batiashvili (violin), San Francisco Symphony / Esa-Pekka Salonen (conductor). Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco, 14.3.2024. (HS)

SFS librarian Margo Keiser presents Esa-Pekka Salonen with a bouquet from the musicians © Kristen Loken

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SF Symphony in 2024-25 and news about Esa-Pekka Salonen

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Esa-Pekka Salonen and San Francisco Symphony to part ways after one final season

Conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen © Drew Altizer

Esa-Pekka Salonen surprised almost everyone in 2018 by signing a five-year contract to be San Francisco Symphony’s music director after he had told the world that he did not want to have that role again. His tenure began in 2020 – unfortunately coinciding with the onset of COVID-19 – and now there will not be another term. He will leave the post when his five-year contract ends in June 2025. The organization has just over a year to decide who might be next to lead the orchestra.

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