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 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. *

Note: The Oct. 28 Preview for The Elixir of Love will take place in the Regency Ballroom.

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

First Nighter Dinners:

General Director Irene Dalis invites all Series A subscribers (opening nights) to four sumptuous pre-performance dinners. The Silver Anniversary Season opened on September 6, 2008 with a very special dinner event at the Hotel Montgomery and is price at $125 per person.

The remaining two dinners ( February 7, and April 18) will be held at the Silicon Valley Capital Club, and are priced at $100 per person. All dinners include a superb three-course meal, wine and entertainment.

A menu selected by the General Director will be sent to all opening series ticket-holders prior to each opening night. You can order the First Nighters’ Circle Dinner package by calling the Box Office at (408) 437-4450.

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.