Behind the Curtain - Summer 2013

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Curtain S A N F R A N C I S C O OPER A

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A P U B L I C AT I O N E X C L U S I V E LY F O R SAN FRANCISCO OPERA CONTRIBUTORS

“I Feel Immersed in Music” Sitting Down with Lifelong Opera Lover Carol Franc Buck

C Bay Area audiences for welcoming American works into the operatic canon.” – David Gockley General Director

Letter from David Gockley on page two

PHOTO BY CAROL FRANC

“I am grateful to

get done. When the curtain rises it’s always a thrill arol Franc Buck owes a debt of gratitude to to see the result.” a group of ladies from the Sacramento Val Over the years, Ms. Buck has found herself ley. So does San Francisco Opera. “I grew particularly drawn to new works. In the process, up in Vacaville,” she explains. “Way back when, it she has grown close to several was all ranching country. Some living composers, including of the local ladies had season Carlisle Floyd and Jake Hegtickets to San Francisco Opera, gie. “The art form is alive and never missed a perforand well,” she beams. “I’m mance. When I was a teeninspired by so much of what ager they started to bring me is being written these days. along.” Those early experiences Moby-Dick to me was perfect, evolved into a lifelong love of both musically and visually.” music that is disarmingly genu“When I think about it,” she ine — and utterly infectious. continues, “I realize that I’ve Later in life Ms. Buck found been fortunate to meet some herself with the financial wherefascinating singers and comwithal to support the art form posers along the way.” she loved. She has been on the “I feel immersed in music,” Opera’s Board of Directors since Ms. Buck observes. “Maybe it’s 1981, and the Carol Franc Buck a gene that runs in the family. Foundation has been supportCarol Franc Buck My niece [soprano Heather ing various artistic endeavors Buck] is an opera singer, and for over 25 years. “It seems like “It’s up to those of my son [Christian Erdman] is the thing to do at this point in on the Board of the San Franmy life,” she remarks. “I mean, us who love opera to cisco Conservatory of Music.” what else are you going to do? support it.” “It’s up to those of us who The kids have fled the nest. love opera to support it,” Ms. I’ve got some means. Opera has Buck concludes. “The same could be said of any brought me so much pleasure. It’s only natural to art. We have to do it for ourselves, and out of a want to give back.” sense of community. Opera doesn’t exist other Ms. Buck has provided lead support for San wise. It doesn’t just walk down the street! ForFrancisco Opera productions such as the world tunately, the Bay Area has a reputation for generpremiere of A Streetcar Named Desire (1998), Kat’a ously supporting the arts, and I’m happy to do Kabanova (2001-02), The Girl of the Golden West what I can.” (2009-10), and Moby-Dick (2012-13). “I fund whatever speaks to me,” she says simply. “It’s alIf you would like to become a production sponways a bit of a calculated risk, I suppose. Some sor at San Francisco Opera, contact Andrew Morthings turn out better than others. But the imporgan at (415) 565-3266 or amorgan@sfopera.com. tant thing is to support the effort — to help things