Tuesday Previews

On the Tuesday evenings prior to each opening night, a preview lecture presented by Larry Hancock, with arias and ensembles performed by members of the cast, will be presented in the Gold Room at the Fairmont Hotel. Hors d’oeuvres and wine will be served at 6:30 and the preview will begin at 7, lasting one hour.  These entertaining talks are intended to give the newcomer an understanding of the plot and characters, as well as a taste of the music itself. Preview dates: Eugene Onegin, August 26, 2008; The Elixir of Love, October 28, 2008; Così fan tutte, January 27, 2009; Carmen, April 7, 2009.

Tuesday Previews tickets, priced at $25 each, may be ordered by phone (408 437-4450) Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Introduction to Opera 

At 6:30 before evening performances, and 1:30 before matinees, a free talk will be presented in the California Theatre that will acquaint you with the composer’s life, his place in the history of opera, the story and its characters.

There will be no Introduction to Opera talks on opening night .

We Couldn’t do it without Supertitles! 

Thanks to PowerPoint, English translations appear continuously above the stage, timed with the sung phrases. You will always know what is being said, and catch every plot twist or sly remark. With supertitles, opera offers drama and passion or comedy and hilarity that is immediately entertaining. Supertitles have opened the door to instant gratification in the opera house, and we are pleased to present supertitles at all our performances.