Performances Magazine San Diego | SD Opera, November 2025

SHOP, PLAY

240+ Shops & Restaurants

P1 Program

Cast, performances, who’s who, director’s notes, donors and more.

6 In the Wings

Holiday productions at The Old Globe; San Diego Symphony concerts; new exhibits at The San Diego Museum of Art (pictured: “Bipartición de un sabio pensador” by artist Alfredo Castañeda); and more.

10 Feature: Spotlight on Lightscape

A preview of the fourth annual installment of Lightscape—illuminated artsy insallations opening at San Diego Botanic Garden.

18 Dining

Benjamin Epstein explores the North County gem that is Carlsbad, from Michelinstarred restaurants to art and the performing arts

24 Parting Thought

Performances’ program platform for theater shows and concerts can be accessed from any digital device

OUR NEW SPACE IS JAW-DROPPING.

We call it Amazement in the Basement because it’s amazing and it’s in the basement. Our biggest new exhibition in years offers a behind-the-scenes look at fascinating specimens from our collection and scientists at work in the new Paleo Center.

Come visit—you’ll be amazed. Tickets at sdnat.org.

PUBLISHER

Jeff Levy

EDITOR

Sarah Daoust

ART DIRECTOR

Carol Wakano

PRODUCTION MANAGER

Glenda Mendez

PRODUCTION ARTIST

Diana Gonzalez

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Benjamin Epstein, Stephanie Saad

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR

Kerry Baggett

ACCOUNT DIRECTORS

Walter Lewis, Jean Greene, Liz Moore

CIRCULATION MANAGER

Christine Noriega-Roessler

BUSINESS MANAGER

Leanne Killian Riggar

MARKETING/ PRODUCTION MANAGER

Dawn Kiko Cheng

DIGITAL MANAGER

Lorenzo Dela Rama

Contact Us

ADVERTISING

Kerry.Baggett@ CaliforniaMediaGroup.com

WEBSITE

Lorenzo.DelaRama@ CaliforniaMediaGroup.com

CIRCULATION Christine.Roessler@ CaliforniaMediaGroup.com

HONORARY PRESIDENT  Ted Levy

For information about advertising and rates contact California Media Group 3679 Motor Ave., Suite 300 Los Angeles, CA 90034

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Performances Magazine is published by California Media Group to serve performing arts venues throughout the West. © 2025 California Media Group. All Rights Reserved.

HIGH NOTES

AMONG THE NOVEMBER concerts presented by San Diego Symphony at Jacobs Music Center, don’t miss “Invocations to the Spirits: Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 4,” Nov. 21-22, featuring pianist Steven Osborne. The repertoire also includes composer Olly Wilson’s Shango Memory; and Sibelius’

Symphony No. 1. Anja Bihlmaier conducts. We’re also excited about the Vienna Boys Choir in concert on Nov. 21; and “John Coltrane’s Blue Train,” a special Jazz @ The Jacobs concert featuring tenor saxophonist Brian Levy, trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos, pianist Victor Gould, trombone player Andre

Hayward, bassist Mike Gurrola, and drummer Joe Farnsworth, on Nov. 29. sandiegosymphony.org

At the Civic Theatre Nov. 21-22, Broadway San Diego presents Mannheim Steamroller, performing their Christmas spectacular with 15 musicians playing more than 20 instruments. broadwaysd.com

Comedy, Musicals & More

CENTERED ON a war-weary soldier who causes chaos while hiding out in a young woman’s bedroom, George Bernard Shaw’s comedy, Arms and the Man, lights up the stage at Lamb’s Players Theatre, through Nov. 16. lambsplayers.org Inspired by the 1988 film, the worldpremiere musical, Working Girl, has been extended at La Jolla Playhouse through Dec. 7—based on the book by Theresa Rebeck, with music and lyrics by Cyndi Lauper. At The Old Globe, two beloved holiday productions return. Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! runs Nov. 5Dec. 31; along with an additional special concert presentation of ¡Cómo el Grinch robó la Navidad!, Nov. 21-22. The Globe presents Ebenezer Scrooge’s BIG San Diego Christmas Show, Nov. 21Dec. 28. Set in San Diego circa 1919, the comedy is a fastpaced parody of the Dickens play—featuring the Ghosts of Christmases Past, Present and Future. theoldglobe.org

THEATER

Photos to Soundscapes

THREE DYNAMIC NEW exhibits await at The San Diego Museum of Art John Gutmann & Max Yavno: California Photographers, through Jan. 11, 2026, spotlights the works of John Gutmann and Max Yavno—two influential photographers who chronicled mid-20th-century California. Marianela de la Hoz and Marc Urselli / Palpitations: The Cadence of Heartbeats, through Feb. 22, showcases new works by local artist Marianela de la Hoz, inspired by palpitations—i.e., the sound and movement of a beating heart; alongside soundscapes by Grammy Award-winning producer and sound artist Marc Urselli. Alfredo Castañeda: Beyond Surrealism, through March 1, comprises 35 paintings (sourced from coveted private collections) for the first U.S. museum retrospective of the work of Mexican artist Alfredo Castañeda. 1450 El Prado, Balboa Park, 619.232.7931, sdmart.org

The

GLOWING GARDENS

Illuminated

Artistry of Lightscape Shines at San Diego Botanic Garden

by STEPHANIE SAAD

NOW IN ITS fourth year, the latest addition to the roster of must-see holiday events in San Diego County is Lightscape, which returns to the San Diego Botanic Garden in Encinitas—opening on Nov. 14 and running through Jan. 4, 2026. A 1-mile-long, illuminated

walking trail that winds its way through the gorgeous landscape, Lightscape combines artistic light sculptures with installations that highlight some of the Botanic Garden’s thousands of plant species, all set to music.

The vignettes take advantage of the land-

scape in endlessly creative ways. Multicolored floating lights enhance a waterlily pond; while neon striping outlines a copse of bending trees. Meandering from one patch to the next creates an otherworldly effect—like being in a fairy land or on another planet.

An international series

“Firefly Spheres” at Lightscape of installations, Lightscape is the brainchild of artist Christopher Wren, working for Culture Creative —a company in Scotland that is subcontracted to Sony Entertainment. Culture Creative maintains a stable of lighting installation artists from all over the world to work with

them throughout the year on an overall approach to the trail and new installations. Other cities where Lightscape can be found include Brooklyn, at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden; Chicago, at the Chicago Botanic Garden; Edinburgh, Scotland; Melbourne, Australia, at the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria; and Brisbane, Australia, at the City Botanic Garden. The artist who works on Lightscape for the San Diego Botanic Garden is San Diego lighting designer John Stewart, now in his fourth year working on its design and installation.

“I was lucky enough to have been part of the inaugural San Diego portion of Lightscape,”

Stewart says. “When Christopher Wren’s project expanded to include some more cities, I was

thrilled to answer the call for San Diego. Before then I wasn’t even aware there was a San Diego Botanic

“Incredibly accomplished pianists and very funny comedic actors. The show is clearly made with love.” — BROADWAYWORLD

BY TED DYKSTRA & RICHARD GREENBLATT DIRECTED BY TOM FREY

Garden in Encinitas!”

Raising awareness of the Botanic Garden—a 37-acre urban oasis housing 29 uniquely themed gardens, 5,000-plus plant species, 4 miles of trails, and even ocean views— was certainly on President and CEO Ari Novy’s mind when he decided to bring Lightscape to San Diego. “We knew high-quality holiday light shows have been revenue generators for gardens all over the world, but we didn’t want to do it in a way that wasn’t mission-aligned,” he says. “We had talked to many other providers and companies, but what convinced us to work with Lightscape is they have a commitment to the trees and plants being equal stars in the show along with the installations. For example, some are very simple: highlighting the form and shape of an

“Bright Ideas”

amazing tree. This emphasis on our plants is very aligned with our mission to showcase the diversity of plants on Earth and connect them to people.”

Stewart works with designer Joel Britt and a team of 40 artisans and builders to design, build and install the lighting for the large-scale, annual outdoor light installation. The event uses the garden’s natural landscape as a backdrop for the 12 to 15 artistic light displays that create vignettes throughout the Botanic Garden.

“Some are dynamic and capture your attention for a time; for others, you’re walking through them,” Novy explains. “John and his team also light the plants along the entire [walking] trail. It’s important to us that the plants and trees be highlighted in the show; along with all of the installations.”

Stewart calls Britt “one

of the best-kept secrets in all of Southern California and the country at large.”

He and Britt, a theater lighting specialist, are responsible for creating all the looks in conjunction with Wren. “Chris oversees all our designs on paper. Joel and I work on this for about five months out of every year. Once we start moving into the garden, it takes about three weeks of long days and evenings to implement the lighting designs.”

Adaptability is key in a natural environment.

“There are things that you think are going to work on paper. But when you try it, it doesn’t work or doesn’t look like you thought it would,” Stewart says. “Plants grow and change—the definition of organic. I’m forever amazed when I visit the garden, how dramatically different the landscape

/ CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

Letter

Welcome to the opening production of our 61ST season, the verismo masterpiece, Pagliacci.

In English, the word “verismo” translates to “realism.” Verismo operas tend to focus on heightened dramatic and often tragic experiences of the common man, and Pagliacci is no exception. Known for its dramatic intensity and masterful vocal and orchestral writing, this opera is one of the most beloved, for good reason.

Our cast are all outstanding artists, many of them performing for the first time in San Diego. And, as always, we are grateful to have the musicians of the San Diego Symphony Orchestra as our musical partners.

We hope you will join us for the rest of our season, with upcoming performances of The Barber of Seville, Carmen, and Fellow Travelers Each opera is unique, and taken together, they provide a rich and varied array of operatic experiences for you to enjoy.

Thank you for your support, for which we are so grateful. Enjoy the performance!

David Bennett Joann Clark General Director and CEO

Mission

The mission of San Diego Opera is to deliver exceptional performances and exciting, accessible programs to diverse audiences, focusing on community partnerships and the transformative and expressive power of the human voice.

Bienvenidos al estreno de nuestra temporada 61, temporada, la obra maestra del verismo, Pagliacci.

En inglés, la palabra “verismo” se define como “realismo.” Las óperas veristas tienden a enfocarse en experiencias dramáticas intensificadas y a menudo trágicas del hombre común, Pagliacci no es la excepción. Conocida por su dramática intensidad y su magistral escritura vocal y orquestal, esta ópera es una de las más queridas, y con justa razón.

Nuestro elenco está compuesto por artistas excepcionales, muchos de ellos presentándose por primera vez en San Diego y como siempre, estamos agradecidos de contar con los músicos de la Orquesta Sinfónica de San Diego como nuestros socios musicales.

Esperamos que nos acompañen durante el resto de nuestra temporada, con las próximas presentaciones de El Barbero de Sevilla, Carmen y Fellow Travelers. Cada ópera es única y juntas ofrecen una rica y variada gama de experiencias operísticas para que ustedes las disfruten.

Gracias por su apoyo, por el cual estamos profundamente agradecidos. ¡Disfruten la función!

Vision

San Diego Opera will be recognized globally as a leading example of adaptability, innovation, and sustainability, promoting diversity on stage, in our repertoire, and in our staff and leadership, with a commitment to world-class and emerging talent, and innovative use of technology.

Music and libretto by RUGGERO

LEONCAVALLO

Premiered May 21, 1892 in Milan, Teatro Dal Verme San Diego Opera performances: January/February 2014, March/April 2008, May 1979, October 1969

Season Sponsors

PREBYS FOUNDATION

CITY OF SAN DIEGO

SAN DIEGO CIVIC THEATRE

Sung in Italian with English and Spanish translations projected above the stage.

Scenery and Costumes built by Portland Opera.

CAST

Canio ............................................................. Jonathan Burton*

Nedda Hailey Clark*

Tonio Kidon Choi

Silvio ................................................................ Timothy Murray*

Beppe ................................................ Arnold Livingston Geis*

Peasant #1 Joshua David Cavanaugh

Peasant #2 ............................................................. Adar Garcia

*San Diego Opera debut

CREATIVE TEAM

Conductor....................................................................Yves Abel Director Christopher Mattaliano*

Scenic Design Allen Moyer

Lighting Design ...................................................Paul Palazzo

Costume Design................................................ James Scott*

Hair and Makeup Design Peter Herman

Assistant Director ......................................... Nicolas Garcia

Chorus Master ................................................ Bruce Stasyna

Children’s Choir Artistic Director Ruthie Millgard

Musical Preparation................................... Catherine Miller

Stage Manager ................................................. Peter Nictakis

Diction Coach Emanuela Patroncini

Supertitle Caller Oxana Bulgakova

Approximate Run Time: 1 hour and 40 minutes including one intermission

PAGLIACCI

In the Prologue, Tonio the clown steps before the curtain to announce that the author has written about actors, who know the same joys and sorrows as other people.

PART I

Villagers mill around as a small theatrical road company arrives at the outskirts of a Calabrian town. Canio, head of the troupe, describes that night’s offering, and when someone jests that the hunchbacked Tonio is secretly courting his wife, Nedda, Canio warns that her fidelity is no joking matter. Vesper bells call the women to church and the men to the tavern, leaving Nedda alone. Disturbed by her husband’s vehemence and suspicious glances, she envies the freedom of the birds soaring overhead. Tonio appears and tries to make love to her, but she laughs at him. Enraged, he reaches for her,

INTERMISSION

PART II

The villagers, Silvio among them, assemble to see the play Pagliaccio e Colombina. In the absence of her husband, Pagliaccio (played by Canio), Colombina (Nedda) is serenaded by her lover Arlecchino (Beppe), who dismisses her buffoonish servant Taddeo (Tonio). The two sweethearts dine together and plot to poison Pagliaccio, who soon arrives; Arlecchino slips out the window. With pointed malice, Taddeo

and she lashes out with a whip. Nedda in fact does have a lover — Silvio, who now appears and persuades her to run away with him after the evening’s performance. But Tonio, who has seen them, hurries off to tell Canio. Soon the jealous husband bursts in. Silvio escapes, and Nedda refuses to identify him, even when threatened with a knife. Beppe, another player, restrains Canio, and Tonio advises him to wait until evening to catch Nedda’s lover. Alone, Canio cries out that he must play the clown though his heart is breaking.

assures Pagliaccio of his wife’s innocence, firing Canio’s real-life jealousy. Forgetting the play, he demands that Nedda tell him her lover’s name. She tries to continue with the script, the audience applauding the realism of the “acting.” Maddened by her defiance, Canio stabs Nedda and then Silvio, who has rushed forward to help her. The comedy is ended.

PAGLIACCI

En el Prólogo, Tonio el payaso se presenta delante del telón para explicar lo que el autor ha escrito acerca de los actores, quienes conocen las mismas alegrías y penas que otras personas.

PARTE I

Los aldeanos se arremolinan alrededor de una pequeña compañía teatral ambulante a las afueras de un pueblo calabrés. Canio, la cabeza de la compañía, describe lo que la función de esa noche les va a ofrecer, y cuando alguien bromea diciendo que el jorobado Tonio corteja en secreto a su esposa, Nedda, Canio le advierte que la fidelidad de ella no es un asunto de broma. Las campanas de vísperas tocan llamando a las mujeres a la iglesia y a los hombres a la taberna, dejando sola a Nedda. Perturbada por la vehemencia y sospechosa mirada de su esposo, ella envidia la libertad de los pájaros que revolotean sobre su cabeza. Tonio aparece e intenta hacer el amor con ella,

INTERMEDIO

pero ella se ríe de él. Enfurecido, él intenta acercarse y ella lo azota con un látigo. Nedda de hecho sí tiene un amante — Silvio, quien ahora aparece y la persuade de escaparse con él después de la función de esa noche. Pero Tonio, quien los ha visto, se apresura a contarle a Canio. Enseguida el esposo celoso irrumpe. Silvio logra escapar, y Nedda se niega a identificarlo, aún cuando la amenazan con un cuchillo. Beppe, otro actor, sujeta a Canio, y Tonio le aconseja que espere hasta la noche para atrapar al amante de Nedda. A solas, Canio clama con dolor que él debe actuar de payaso aunque su corazón esté destrozado.

PARTE II

Los aldeanos, Silvio entre ellos, se reúnen para ver la obra Pagliaccio e Colombina. En ausencia de su esposo, Pagliaccio (interpretado por Canio), Colombina (Nedda) su amante Arlecchino (Beppe) le da una serenata, quien aleja a su sirviente bufón Taddeo (Tonio). Los dos enamorados cenan juntos y planean envenenar a Pagliaccio, quien pronto llega; Arlecchino se escapa por la ventana. Con intención maliciosa

Taddeo le asevera a Pagliaccio la inocencia de su esposa, encendiendo los celos reales de Canio. Olvidándose de la obra, le exige a Nedda que le diga el nombre de su amante. Ella intenta continuar con el libreto, y el público aplaude ante el realismo de la “actuación”. Enloquecido por su desafío, Canio apuñala a Nedda y luego a Silvio, quien había corrido para ayudarla. La comedia ha terminado.

Conductor’s Notes/Notas del Conductor

In 1890, a new international artistic movement, verismo, burst onto the Italian opera stage with the premiere of Pietro Mascagni’s singleact Cavalleria rusticana, an 80-minute dive into infidelity and revenge among Sicilian villagers.

Verismo reflected its times, finding dramatic possibilities in the lives of ordinary people and the poor rather than in upper class intrigues. Opera composers rushed to capitalize on its popularity, including Ruggero Leoncavallo, who premiered his own innovative one-act Pagliacci two years later.

Leoncavallo synthesized Pagliacci’s verismo story with the ancient, quintessentially Italian commedia dell’arte. He incorporated commedia’s beloved stock characters and archetypal lover’s triangle plot into his opera-within-an-opera, and transformed commedia’s comedy into a real life tragedy.

Musically, too, by combining his own Romantic style with eighteenth-century dance forms, Leoncavallo created an ingenious hybrid of old and new. He even composed a novel Prologue for his temperamental star baritone, Victor Maurel. His ego still not satisfied, Maurel also asked to change the title from The Clown ( Il Pagliaccio) to The Clowns ( Pagliacci) to include his role of Tonio.

Pagliacci’s world premiere in Milan, conducted by 25-year-old Arturo Toscanini, garnered mixed reviews. But audiences loved it. Pagliacci was soon acclaimed in London, New York, and Paris. Its showpiece aria “Vesti la giubba,” contrasting the clown Canio’s anguish at his wife’s infidelity against his duty to make people laugh, has been recorded by such great tenors as Enrico Caruso and Beniamino Gigli.

Verismo went out of fashion by the 1920s. But Pagliacci became, and remains, a staple of opera repertoire and is often paired (though not in our production) with the opera that inspired it: Mascagni’s Cavalleria rusticana.

En 1890, un nuevo movimiento artístico internacional, el verismo, irrumpió en el escenario operístico italiano con el estreno de la obra en un solo acto de Pietro Mascagni, Cavalleria rusticana, sumergiéndose dentro de los sentimientos de infidelidad y venganza entre los aldeanos sicilianos por 80 minutos. El verismo es un reflejó de sus tiempos, encontrando más posibilidades dramáticas en las vidas de la gente común y corriente y los pobres que en las intrigas de la clase alta. Los compositores de ópera se apresuraron a capitalizar en su popularidad, incluyendo a Ruggero Leoncavallo, quien estrenó su propia innovadora obra en un acto, Pagliacci, dos años después.

Leoncavallo sintetizó la historia verística de Pagliacci con la antigua y depurada commedia dell’Arte italiana, incorporando los personajes preferidos de la commedia con el arquetípico trama del triángulo amoroso en su ópera-dentro-de-una-ópera, y transformando la comedia de las commedia’s en una tragedia de la vida real.

También musicalmente, al combinar su propio estilo romántico con formas de baile del siglo dieciocho, Leoncavallo creó un ingenioso híbrido de lo viejo y lo nuevo. Incluso compuso un Prólogo novedoso para su temperamental estrella, el barítono, Victor Maurel. Su ego aún no satisfecho, Maurel también pidió cambiar el título de El Payaso ( Il Pagliaccio) a Los Payasos ( Pagliacci) para incluir su papel de Tonio.

El estreno mundial de Pagliacci en Milán, dirigido por Arturo Toscanini de 25 años, generó críticas mixtas. Pero al público le encantó. Pagliacci pronto fue aclamado en Londres, Nueva York y París. Su destacada aria “Vesti la Giubba,” contrastando la angustia del payaso Canio por la infidelidad de su esposa, con su deber de hacer reír a la gente, ha sido grabada por tales tenores como Enrico Caruso y Beniamino Gigli. El verismo pasó de moda hacia la década de 1920, pero Pagliacci se convirtió, y permanece, como un pilar del repertorio operístico y a menudo se presentan juntas (aunque no en nuestra producción) con la ópera que lo inspiró : Cavalleria rusticana de Mascagni.

YVES ABEL

Conductor

San Diego Opera Highlights:

San Diego Opera Principal

Conductor, 2020-present. Conductor – The Daughter of the Regiment; Pagliacci; Madama Butterfly; Carmen; Roméo et Juliette; Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi; Don Giovanni; Salome; La traviata

Recent and Upcoming: Chief Conductor –Nordwestdeutsche Philharmonie, 2005 to 2021; Principal Guest Conductor – Deutsche Oper Berlin, 2005 to 2013; Conductor – Carmen (Royal Swedish Opera, Wiener Staatsoper); Mahler’s Symphony No. 5 (Opéra Nice Côte d’Azur); Roméo et Juliette (Canadian Opera Company); Turandot (Savonlinna Opera Festival); Dialogues des Carmélites (Teatro Regio Turin); La Damnation de Faust (Opernhaus Zürich); The Daughter of the Regiment (London’s Royal Opera Covent Garden); Armida (Rossini Opera Festival).

JONATHAN BURTON

Canio, tenor

San Diego Opera debut

Recent and Upcoming: Manrico in Il trovatore (North Carolina Opera, Pittsburgh Opera); Woz in The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs (Washington National Opera); Canio in Pagliacci (Utah Opera, Pittsburgh Opera, Austin Opera, Nashville Opera); Dick Johnson in La fanciulla del West (Washington Opera Society, Central City Opera); Mario Cavaradossi in Tosca (Pittsburgh Opera, Palm Beach Opera, Santa Fe Opera); Calaf in Turandot (Washington National Opera, Opera Colorado); B.F. Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly (Virginia Opera, Palm Beach Opera); Paul in Die tote Stadt (Opera Colorado).

JOSHUA DAVID CAVANAUGH

Peasant #1, Bass

San Diego Opera Highlights: Second Nazarene in Salome, Chorus in Aida, La bohème, La traviata, and Making Merry: A Choral Holiday Celebration. Recent and Upcoming: Marco in Gianni Schicchi, John Styx in Orpheus in the Underworld, Georg in She Loves Me, and Aaron in First Date (San Diego Musical Theatre); Professor Bhaer in Little Women, and Leonard Aster in Peter and the

Starcatcher (The Barn Stage Company); Perchik in Fiddler on the Roof (Temecula Valley Players); Priest in The Light in the Piazza (The REV Theatre Company); Frankie in Forever Plaid; Plaid Tidings (Moonlight Amphitheatre, The Laurie Beechman Theatre, and Rubicon Theatre Company).

KIDON CHOI

Tonio, baritone

San Diego Opera Highlights: Sharpless in Madama Butterfly.

Recent and Upcoming: Amonasro in Aida (Arizona Opera); Marcello in La bohème (Opera San Jose, Wolf Trap Opera, Opera Idaho); The Bonze in Madama Butterfly (Detroit Opera); Nightwatchman in Die Frau ohne Schatten (San Francisco Opera); Prince Yamadori in Madama Butterfly (San Francisco Opera); Baron Scarpia in Tosca (Opera San Jose); Lindorf in Les Contes D’Hoffman (Korea National Opera); Giorgio Germont in La traviata (Washington National Opera, Wolf Trap Opera); Montano in Otello (Cleveland Orchestra); Jack Rance in La fanciulla del West (Korea National Opera); Tonio in Pagliacci (North Carolina Opera); A herald in Otello (The Metropolitan Opera).

HAILEY CLARK

Nedda, soprano

San Diego Opera debut

Recent and Upcoming: Mimì in La bohème (Austin Opera); Countess Almaviva in The Marriage Of Figaro (Palm Beach Opera); Violetta Valéry in La traviata (Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra); Nedda in Pagliacci (Austin Opera); Freia in Das Rheingold (Bayreuther Festpiele); Rachel in La juive (Staatsoper Hannover); Fiordiligi in Così fan tutte (Palm Beach Opera); Gerhilde in Die Walküre (Dresdner Philharmonie); Rosalinde in Die Fledermaus (Central City Opera); Alma Beers in Brokeback Mountain (Stadhtheater Giessen).

ADAR GARCIA

Peasant #2, Tenor

San Diego Opera debut

Recent and Upcoming: Prunier in La Rondine (Pittsburgh Opera); First Armored Man in The Magic Flute (Pittsburgh Opera); Scaramouche in Ariadne auf Naxos (Arizona Opera); Borsa in Rigoletto

(Chautauqua Opera); Mr. Marshall in Regina (Chautauqua Opera); Gherardo in Gianni Schicchi (Chautauqua Opera); Grimoaldo in Rodelinda (The Music Academy of the West).

ARNOLD LIVINGSTON GEIS

Beppe, tenor

San Diego Opera debut

Recent and Upcoming: Beppe in Pagliacci (Pacific Opera Project); Rodolfo in La bohème (Opera Carolina, Opera Las Vegas, Pacific Opera Project); Sir Edgar of Ravenswood in Lucia di Lammermoor (Opera in the Heights); Pirelli in Sweeney Todd (Chautauqua Opera Festival); Mr. Erlanson in A Little Night Music (Pasadena Playhouse); Tamino in The Magic Flute (Pacific Opera Project); title role in Faust (Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras); Mr. Marks in Intimate Apparel (Lincoln Center Theater).

CHRISTOPHER MATTALIANO

Director

San Diego Opera debut

Recent and Upcoming: Stage Director – Il trovatore (Opera Colorado); Tosca (New Orleans Opera); Anna Bolena (The Academy of Vocal Arts); The Barber of Seville (Cincinnati Opera, The Dallas Opera, Portland Opera, Michigan Opera Theatre); Rigoletto (Opera Colorado, Portland Opera); Pagliacci (Portland Opera); The Magic Flute (Washington National Opera, Portland Opera); Cinderella (Portland Opera); Candide (Arizona Opera); Macbeth (New Orleans Opera); Falstaff (Portland Opera).

ALLEN MOYER Scenic Design

San Diego Opera Highlights: Set design for Nixon in China and Così fan tutte.

Recent and Upcoming: Opera designs include Il trittico (Houston Grand Opera); Lili Elbe (Santa Fe Opera); Fire Shut Up in My Bones (The Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago); Champion (The Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago); The Flying Dutchman (Lyric Opera of Chicago); La bohème (Santa Fe Opera); Così fan tutte (Santa Fe Opera); A Masked Ball (Boston

Lyric Opera); The Elixir of Love (Boston Lyric Opera); The Abduction from the Seraglio (Boston Lyric Opera); The Elixir of Love (San Francisco Opera).

TIMOTHY MURRAY

Silvio, baritone

San Diego Opera debut

Recent and Upcoming: Mr. Fox in Fantastic Mr. Fox (Opera Omaha); title role in Don Giovanni (Opéra de Lille, North Carolina Opera); Horace Derwent in The Shining (Opera Parallèle); Marcello in La bohème (San Francisco Opera); Scarus in Antony and Cleopatra (San Francisco Opera); Schaunard in La bohème (North Carolina Opera); Sciarrone in Tosca (San Francisco Opera); Il Conte di Almaviva in The Marriage of Figaro (The Academy of Vocal Arts).

PAUL PALAZZO

Lighting Design

San Diego Opera Highlights: Lighting design for Nixon in China.

Recent and Upcoming: Lighting design for The Elixir of Love (Canadian Opera Company); Die Fledermaus (English National Opera, Canadian Opera Company); The Barber of Seville (Boston Lyric Opera); Salome (Opéra de Montréal); The Abduction from the Seraglio (Welsh National Opera, Houston Grand Opera); The Ghosts of Versailles (Opera Theatre of St. Louis).

JAMES SCOTT

Costume Design

San Diego Opera debut

Costume Designs: The Barber of Seville (Washington National Opera, Cincinnati Opera, Palm Beach Opera, Minnesota Opera); Pagliacci (Opera Omaha, Minnesota Opera, Portland Opera, Utah Opera); Carmina Burana (Opera Omaha, Minnesota Opera, Utah Opera); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (The Juilliard School); Norma (Fort Worth Opera); Cinderella (The Juilliard School); Candide (Fort Worth Opera); Il trovatore (Calgary Opera, Portland Opera).

SOPRANOS

Carly Cummings

Laynee Dell

Abla Hamza

Lisa Parente

Katie Polit

Lily Prado

ALTOS

Abigail Allwein

Mary Boles-Allen

Laura Bueno

Sarah-Nicole Carter

Emily Weinberg

Karin Wilcox

TENORS

Alexis Alfaro

Adam Caughey

Adar Garcia

Frank Napolitano

Felipe Prado

Timmy Simpson

BASSES

Joshua Arky

Joshua David Cavanaugh

Jeffrey Goldberg

Timothy Marshall

David Marshman

Kevin Martin

Artists and Production Staff are members of the American Guild of Musical Artists, AFL-CIO, the labor union that represents musical artists in opera, concert, and dance in the United States.

SAN DIEGO CHILDREN’S CHOIR

Ruthie Millgard, Artistic Director

Garance Amilien

Arsenly Ashikmin

Vivian Benecchi

Sadie Ferguson

Lavender Hartzell

Blake Hay

Kai Mills

Ruhi Mulchandani

Sophie Smedra

Eileen Terral

Valerie Toma

Colette Toma

Lucas Wang

Giada Wilke

The San Diego Children’s Choir is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing the youth of San Diego, ages 1-18, with the opportunity for artistic and personal growth through choral music education. The choir has grown from 42 participants in its inaugural year 35 years ago to nearly 2,000 annually in three major programs, an ensemble program with 6 performing choirs, an early childhood program, and an outreach program serving San Diego’s underprivileged communities at no cost to participating families. Performers in San Diego Opera’s production of Pagliacci are members of the ensemble program and range in age from 9-17 years old.

SUPERNUMERARIES

Lucy Forton, Juggler

Dan Denison

THANK YOU TO THE SPONSORS OF PAGLIACCI

SEASON SPONSORS

Prebys Foundation City of San Diego

PRODUCTION SPONSORS

Leon Lachman*

Bill and Clarice Perkins

ARTIST SPONSORS

Robin L. Allgren for Hailey Clark

Dorothy Piacentini for Christopher Mattaliano

CHORUS SPONSOR

John E. Ford San Diego Opera Chorus Initiative

PRE-OPERA TALK SPONSORS

San Diego Opera’s Pre-Opera Talk is a Nancy E. Kossan PhD and Deborah Macdonald Adult Learning Program.

*In memoriam

Securing the Future of San Diego Opera

San Diego Opera is tremendously grateful to the following donors for their generous support of Crescendo, which supports the next 60 years of San Diego Opera.

Robin L. Allgren

Sigrid Pate Butler

Joann Clark

Larry Ganzell in memory of John E. Ford/John E. Ford San Diego Opera Chorus

Angela and Matthew Kilman/Kilman Opera Commissioning Fund

Nancy E. Kossan, PhD and Deborah Macdonald/ Nancy E. Kossan, PhD and Deborah Macdonald Adult Learning Programs

Sarah B. Marsh-Rebelo

Len Simon

Robert and Tamara Thibodeau

Mary L. Walshok, PhD

OPERA STARS

Robert and Meredith Alcock

Jim Algert*

Robin L. Allgren

Lou Alpinieri

Anonymous (15)

Alfred* and Sara Antonicelli

Bobbie Ball-Bradley

Maurine B. Beinbrink

Mr. and Mrs.* Doug Bekkedahl

Dr. Fred and Donna Berger

Margaret L. Boyce*

Mr.* and Mrs. Marlin Brossart

Sarah Blakely Brown

Esther J. Burnham*

Robert and Linda Cain

Richard and Stephanie Coutts

Elisabeth H. Crouch

Stephen and Roberta Edelstein

Gwyn Enright*

Elsa* and George* Feher (of blessed memory)

San Diego Opera is deeply grateful to the following individuals who have helped to ensure the future of opera in San Diego by including San Diego Opera in their estate plans.

Dr. Merle* and Teresa* Fischlowitz

Mr.* and Mrs. David C. Fletcher

Dr. William and Judith Friedel

Dr. Michael and Barbara Gerber

Lee and Frank * Goldberg

David and Claire Guggenheim

Kathryn Hattox*

Dr.* and Mrs.* Jerome Heard

Carol Hemming

Dr.* and Mrs.* P. Kahler Hench

Joan Henkelmann

John Hermann*

Mr.* and Mrs. Joseph W. Hibben

Teresa and Harry Hixson

Shirley and Gene* Hoggatt

Karl and Greet Hostetler

Dr. Steve and Nancy Howard

Lulu Hsu

Patrick Hurley and Linda Peterson

Ronald Ignelzi

George* and Marlene Imbsen

Thomas Jroski

Marilyn* and Bill* Kneeland

Regina Kurtz

Mr.* and Mrs. Jack Landale

Mrs. Charlotte Laverents*

Carol Lazier

Belina L.* and Paul L.* Lazzar

Ruth I. Ledermann

Lester Lefkowitz*

Maria-Cristina Leon

Ruth Leonardi

Sarah B. Marsh-Rebelo, G.G. and John G. Rebelo

James A. Merritt

Elizabeth B. Meyer *

Sam and Mona Morebello

Barbara and Maury Mortensen

Jerome* and Jacqueline* Niederman

Elizabeth A. Otten*

Mr. Bernard Paul

John* and Ernie Peak

Jill Polgar in memory of Jane and Peter Polgar

William Purves

Bruce S. Ross and Eileen F. Gallo-Ross*

Jukka Saukkonen* and Velva Wood

Mr.* and Mrs.* John Shumaker

John S. Sieh

Sandra Silvers*

Paul Slysh*

Sylvia M. Smith

Carol Jean Spicer

Linda P. Spuck

Marlene Roedde Swall

Tamara M. and Robert P. Thibodeau

Robert* and Aysegul Underhill

Karen Valentino

Jennifer Werner

Janet and Jonathan White

Mary Ann White

Raymond* and Erika* Wright

Eugene Yee

Philip and Phyllis Ziring

*In memoriam

San Diego Opera’s exclusive young patrons program (ages 25–45) offers discounted tickets, fun pre-show parties, and exclusive events, all for just $150 a year.

Enjoy great opera, make new friends, and support the arts in San Diego.

READY TO ELEVATE YOUR OPERA EXPERIENCE? Join today and start enjoying Overture benefits!

Join now at sdopera.org/overture or scan QR code

FRIENDS/ PATRON CIRCLE

of San Diego Opera

Scan QR code to GIVE TODAY

YOUR SUPPORT BRINGS: • Thrilling opera productions • Free programs for all ages • Free student dress rehearsals

Gifts of $100+ receive program recognition, invitations to special events, and more. A $5,000 Patron Circle gift includes access to our Patron Lounge with refreshments. JOIN our vibrant

For more information, contact LIZ FITTRO at 619.533.7030 or LFITTRO@SDOPERA.ORG, or visit SDOPERA.ORG/SUPPORT

Your gift through a will, trust, retirement plan, life insurance policy, real estate, or any of many other planned gift options will ensure the stability of San Diego Opera for years to come.

To learn more or share your estate plans for San Diego Opera, please contact Peter Shavitz:

Director’s Notes/Nota del Director

CHRISTOPHER MATTALIANO

With Pagliacci (The Clowns), Ruggero Leoncavallo (18571919) created perhaps the greatest example of verismo opera in the repertory.

Verismo - from the Italian word vero (“truth”) - refers to a late 19th-century movement in literature and opera in which writers and composers focused on “real-life” and, at times, sordid situations. With Pagliacci, Leoncavallo not only created a powerful piece of verismo theater, but also one in which the line between what’s “real” and what’s “make-believe” disappears.

Con Pagliacci (Los Payasos), Ruggero Leoncavallo (1857-1919) creó tal vez el mejor ejemplo de ópera verista en el repertorio. Verismo - derivada de la palabra italiana vero (“verdad”) la cual se refiere a un movimiento dentro de la literatura y la ópera a finales del siglo 19, en la que escritores y compositores se enfocaron en situaciones de la “vida real” y en ocasiones en situaciones sórdidas. Con Pagliacci, Leoncavallo no solo creó una poderosa pieza de teatro verista, sino también una en la cual la línea entre lo que es “real” y lo que es “ficticio” desaparece.

In working with the design team to create this production of Pagliacci, I found myself continually drawn to Federico Fellini’s 1954 film, La Strada (“The Road”). The movie eventually became a visual and emotional reference for the production’s design. The parallels between the two works are striking: both explore the fragile line between performance and reality, both revolve around itinerant entertainers, and both are shot through with loneliness, cruelty, and yearning for connection.

Fellini’s film is steeped in the atmosphere of the postwar Italian countryside, where small traveling troupes and roadside shows were still a way of life - with their grit, dust, worn costumes, and sense of beauty and tragedy coexisting side by side. At its heart, Pagliacci is about the collision between art and life—the performer’s mask cracking open to reveal unbearable vulnerability. In the prologue, the baritone (playing Tonio) steps before the curtain and asks the audience to “look beyond our poor costumes and consider instead our souls, for we are made of flesh and blood, and breathe the same air as you in this cruel inhospitable world.”

These works remind us that the theatre— whether opera, cinema, or a makeshift roadside show—has the power to hold up a mirror to our own humanity, in all its beauty and pain.

Al estar trabajando con el equipo de diseño para crear esta producción de Pagliacci, me sentí continuamente atraído por la película, La Strada (“La Calle”) de Federico Fellini en 1954. La película eventualmente se convirtió en una referencia visual y emocional para el diseño de la producción. Los paralelos entre ambas obras son sorprendentes: ambas exploran la frágil línea entre la actuación y la realidad, una y otra giran en torno alrededor de artistas ambulantes, y las dos están saturadas de soledad, de crueldad y el anhelo por conectarse.

La película de Fellini está impregnada en la atmósfera de la campiña italiana de la posguerra, donde las pequeñas compañías ambulantes y los espectáculos al borde del camino aún eran una forma de vida —con su rudeza, polvo, vestuarios gastados y un sentido de belleza y tragedia coexistiendo lado a lado. En el fondo, Pagliacci trata sobre la pugna entre el arte y la vida: la máscara del intérprete resquebrajándose para revelar una vulnerabilidad insoportable. En el prólogo, el barítono (interpretando a Tonio) se presenta enfrente del telón y pide al público que “mire más allá de nuestros pobres disfraces y considere en su lugar nuestras almas, porque estamos hechos de carne y hueso, y respiramos el mismo aire que ustedes en este mundo cruel y hostil.”

Estas obras nos recuerdan que el teatro —ya sea ópera, cine o un improvisado espectáculo callejero— tiene el poder de reflejar nuestra propia humanidad, en toda su belleza y su dolor.

Opera Uncorked

Go deeper with San Diego Opera at Opera Uncorked, a fun, casual series exploring each season’s operas. Enjoy wine and cheese while Resident Conductor Bruce Stasyna shares history, listening tips, and behind-the-scenes insights. In November, a special evening pairs wine and song with host David Bennett, the Joann Clark General Director and CEO of San Diego Opera. Each event offers a lively glimpse into the music, stories, and theatre that make these works timeless.

Upcoming Dates:

• November 20 at 5:30 pm Vocal Varietals and Vintages

• January 22 at 6:00 pm The Barber of Seville

• March 12 at 6:00 pm Carmen

Tickets: $18 Learn

To learn more or to purchase tickets, visit: sdopera.org/opera-uncorked

Get a behind-the-scenes look at the artistry that shapes opera. In each session, rising singers receive live coaching from renowned artists such as Yves Abel, Bruce Stasyna, and other leading performers, revealing the process that brings roles to life.

This season’s series includes:

• A Master Class led by Maestro Yves Abel, San Diego Opera’s Principal Conductor, on February 7, 2026

• A Master Class led by Bruce Stasyna, Resident Conductor and Chorus Master, on March 21, 2026

LEARN MORE OR BUY TICKETS:

Special Events this Season

Join the SanDiegoOpera Community

What is onstage is only half the fun!

Attend these upcoming events to meet other opera lovers, learn more about opera, and become more involved in the beauty and joy of San Diego Opera!

OPERA UNCORKED:

VOCAL VARIETALS and VINTAGES

November 20 @ 5:30 pm

UCSD Park & Market

Learn about operatic voices while sipping wine!

OPERA MOVIE CLUB

The Metropolitan Opera’s Live in HD: Arabella

November 22 @ 10:00 am

Regal Edwards Mira Mesa

MAKING MERRY COMMUNITY CONCERT

December 2 @ 7:00 pm

San Diego Central Library

BEHIND-THE-SCENES TOUR

San Diego Opera Costume Shop

January 10 @ 10:00 am

This event is for San Diego Opera donors only. Please make a gift at sdopera.org/support or call (619) 533-7000.

OPERA UNCORKED:

THE BARBER OF SEVILLE

January 22 @ 6:00 pm

UCSD Park & Market

MASTER CLASS with YVES ABEL

Sills Salon, San Diego Civic Theatre

February 7 @ 3:00 pm

Observe San Diego Opera’s Principal Conductor Yves Abel as he coaches three early-career opera singers.

OPENING NIGHT PARTY for THE BARBER OF SEVILLE

Patron Lounge, San Diego Civic Theatre

February 13, immediately following the performance

Open to all audience members for an additional charge.

OPERA UNCORKED: CARMEN

March 12 @ 6:00 pm

UCSD Park & Market

OPERA MOVIE CLUB

The Metropolitan Opera’s Live in HD:

March 21 @ 9:00 am

Regal Edwards Mira Mesa

OPENING NIGHT PARTY for

Patron Lounge, San Diego Civic Theatre

March 27, immediately following the performance

Open to all audience members for an additional charge.

2026 OPERA BALL FOR ALL Noche Sevillana, ¡Ole!

May 2 @ 5:30 pm

Honoring Sarah B. Marsh-Rebelo and John Rebelo

Veronica and Miguel Leff, Event Chairs

OPERA MOVIE CLUB

The Metropolitan Opera’s Live in HD: sueño de Frida y Diego

May 30 @ 10:00 am

Regal Edwards Mira Mesa

For more information on these and other programs, visit sdopera.org or call (619) 533-7000.

SAN DIEGO OPERA IS DEEPLY GRATEFUL TO THE DONORS WHOSE CONTRIBUTIONS MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE

SEASON SPONSOR

$ 200,000+

City of San Diego

Larry Ganzell

Prebys Foundation

MAJOR AND LEAD PRODUCTION

SPONSOR $100,000 – $199,999

Elisabeth Crouch

Lee and Frank * Goldberg

Allison and Robert Price

Family Foundation

Darlene Marcos Shiley

PRODUCTION SPONSOR

$50,000 – $99,999

Anonymous

James Silberrad Brown Foundation

Joann Clark

Karl and Greet Hostetler

Joan* and Irwin Jacobs

In memory of Leon Lachman

Veronica and Miguel Leff

Bill and Clarice Perkins

San Diego Foundation

Drs. Gloria and Joseph Shurman

Len Simon, Esq.

ARTIST SPONSOR

$ 25,000 – $ 49,999

Robin L. Allgren

Warren* and Eloise Batts

Raffaella Belanich

Ingrid Benirschke and Gordon Perkins

Sigrid Pate Butler

Ric and Eleanor Charlton

Mary Ellen Clark

County of San Diego

Barbara and Joseph Giammona

Beau and Brittany Haugh

Joan Henkelmann, in memory of Dr. Charles Henkelmann

Dr. Steve and Nancy Howard

Angela and Matt Kilman

Carol Anne Lazier

Dr. and Mrs. Ronald G. Leonardi

Diana and Eliezer Lombrozo

Jacqueline B. Mars

Anne and Andy McCammon

National Endowment for the Arts

Dorothy Piacentini

Qualcomm Inc.

Dr. Benjamin Ramirez and Ross Russell

Sarah B. Marsh-Rebelo, G.G. and John G. Rebelo

William D. Smith and Carol A. Harter

U.S. Bank

University of San Diego

Cynthia Walk

Mary L. Walshok, PhD

Janet and Jonathan White

GENERAL DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE

$10,000 – $ 24,999

Anonymous (2)

Sherry and Kevin Ahern

Lou Alpinieri

Patrick Anderson and Ron Koren

Bobbie Ball-Bradley

Jane and Bob Bell

Wallace Brithinee and Bernadette Belleci

Doug Carsten

David C. Copley Foundation

Michael and Jane Burke

Steve and Lorraine Doering

Jill Esterbrooks and James

Robbins

Alberta Feurzeig

Jennifer and Burke Fisher

Gertrude Fletcher

Ann and Andy Irwin

Beverly Kilman

Nancy E. Kossan, PhD and Deborah Macdonald

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Bellina Lee Lazzar Trust

Ruth I. Ledermann

Linda Levy and Edward McGrath

Heidi Munzinger and John Shott

OPERA America

Jason Paguio and Rebecca Maxwell

Jill Polgar in memory of Jane and Peter Polgar

Peter and Peggy Preuss

Nancy Reynolds

ResMed Foundation

Stacy and Don Rosenberg

Sue Sesnon Salt

Ellen Browning Scripps Foundation

Seltzer Caplan McMahon Vitek

Sharp HealthCare

Debra Shannon

Dave and Phyllis Snyder

Linda P. Spuck

Jeanette R. Stevens

Stephanie Stolarz-Fantino

Annalisa Storchi and Colin Kane

Tamara M. and Robert P. Thibodeau

Karen Valentino

Shirli, Damien, and Justin Weiss

Carmen Figueroa Young

Philip and Phyllis Ziring

Donor Listings

PATRON CIRCLE

$5,000 – $9,999

Richard R. Abello

Leslie Bassett

Doug Bekkedahl

David Bennett

Carolyn and Giovanni Bertussi

Robert Bouchard

Boys and Girls Foundation

Salvatore Capizzi

Bill Carrick

Constance Carroll, PhD

Susan H. and Stephen Childs

Dr. and Mrs. Richard Claytor

Linda Dawson

Martha and Edward Dennis

Nita Duback-Johnson*

Stephen and Roberta Edelstein

M. Carr and Marian* Ferguson

Forsyth Leonard Fund at Rancho Santa Fe Foundation

Sally and Einar Gall

Beth A. Goodman

Barbara Gross

Karen and John Hayes

Suzanne and Lawrence Hess

Nancy Howard Cobb

David S. Johnson

Jeannette and Douglas Johnson

David K. Jordan

Robert H. Kaplan, PhD and Marina Baroff

Jo Ann Kilty

John and Sandy Kim

Lynn Kirkhofer

Sachiko Kohatsu

Betty* and Dr. Leonard Kornreich

Grace E. Larsen

James Lasswell and Cindy Jensen

Michael and Teresa Lewis

Russell and Kathleen Loftman

Elizabeth Wohlford MacLeod

Joseph Martinez

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Ilene Mittman in memory of Dr. Charles Mittman

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Ms. Kathleen Roche-Tansey

Patricia A. Rutledge

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Sylvia M. Smith

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Sycuan Casino

Robert* and Aysegul Underhill

Deborah Wrighton Wex

Armi and Al Williams

Bill and Shelley Wong

Sara Zaknoen, M.D.

Xinhua Zheng and Richard Studer

Leo* and Emma Zuckerman

PATRON CIRCLE/FRIEND

$ 3,500 – $ 4,999

Anonymous

Arlene and Michael Bardin

Maurine B. Beinbrink

David R. Bevilaqua and Craig P. Caldwell

John Boyer

Mrs. Marlin W. Brossart

Drs. Craig and Joan Heller Brown

Cindy Bruecks and David Craig

Stephen Burgdorf

Julie and Mark Burgess

James M. and Lynn B. Caughey

Ann Craig

Vicki and Chris Eddy

Drs. Milton and Susan Erman

Paul and Gayle Ganster

Joyce M. Gattas, PhD

Maxine* and James Hall

Herbert Hoffman and Janis Sammartino

Jim and Carmen Hughes

Joanne C. Hutchinson and David Cooper*

Robert and Barbara Hutchinson

Ronald Ignelzi

Gary Jacobson and Martha Blake Jacobson

Charles Johnson

Mr. and Mrs. John Kesser

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Irene Kuster McCann

Paul Laikind, Lisa Stennes-Laikind, and Elle Marie Laikind

Ellen Lehman and Charles Kennel

Nancy Lyon

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Mark Mead

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David Morris

Chandra Mukerji

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Dana Pizzuti

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Dr. Peter Seymour and Susan Comden

Georgina Bien and Lu Sham

Carol Jean Spicer

Robert J. Stall, Jr. and Katherine Nutting

Scott and Jan Steele

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Captain Don Watkins, USN (Ret.)* and Mrs. Sharon Watkins

Robert and Ivonne Webb

Jennifer Werner

FRIEND $ 2,000 – $ 3,499

Anonymous (2) • Irene Abraham and Gabriel Vogeli • Karl Achterkirchen • Dr. Fred and Donna Berger • Anna M. Curren • Karen DeLaurier and Oliver McElroy • Wally and Linda Dieckmann • Dr. and Mrs. Edward J. Doyle • David and Pat Duthu • Drs. Brent and Sarita Eastman • Dr. Barbara Favorito and Ms. Judith Hairston • Socorro Fimbres • Samuel I. and John Henry Fox Foundation • Ron and Holli Franzese • Barbara Ilizaliturri and Exequiel Ezcurra • Thomas Jroski and Dinna Estrella • Becki Lamont-Etess • Jose Lau • Dennis C. and Kathleen Lees • Carolyn LeVasseur and Dwight Kellogg • Carl B. and Janet Lind • Pamela Maher • Sandra Miner • Philip* and Pamela Palisoul • John and Diane W. Parks • Rachel Peniche and Kevin Lomax • Ms. Barbara Rabiner • Audrey S. Ratner • Patrick and Marti Ritto • Lynn Rockwell • Ronus Foundation • Jukka Saukkonen* and Velva Wood • Sally Schwerdtfeger, PhD • Carmela Simoncini • Janis and David Steller • Elizabeth and Lester Stiel • Alamanita Ellis Stjerne and James Stjerne • Elise Streicher and David Huffman

FRIEND $1,000 – $1,999

Anonymous (5) • Sarah Agler • Mr. Ronald G. Allen and Mr. Lindsay R. Fong • Libby Andersen • Joseph Annese • J. David Archibald and Gloria E. Bader • Jane and Michael Benton • Gaylyn N. Boone and James R. Dorcy* • Judith V. Brucker • Calori Family Giving Fund at Rancho Santa Fe Foundation • Lynne M. Champagne and Wilfred S. Kearse • Jui-Yuan Chang • Keith Chen • Black Sails Consulting • Tracy Cooke • Robert Croke • Ann Davies • Robert and Tatiana Dotson • Henry Eimstad • Carolyn Elledge • Roswitha Enright • Alfred F. and Karin Esser • Paul Fanfera • Elissa and Richard Finerman • Jean Fort • Gabriela Frank • Catherine R. Friedman • Richard Ghalie • Michael and Brenda Goldbaum • Katherine Greco • Steven and Christine Hadfield • Douglas and Gail Hall • Carol Hemming • Michael Homan • Gurdon Hornor • Lulu Hsu • Mrs. Phyllis Ingram • Adrian Jaffer and Ann Laddon • Carol Kearney • Beverly Kelly • Lilia Koriazova • Frances and Jack Kyte • Sue Lasbury • Juan* and Alexis Lasheras • Patrick and Cheryl Ledden, In Memory of Sally Ledden • Anthony W. Leonard and Jin-Soo Kim • Larry and Trisha Liebermensch • Vicki Lindblade • Charles S.* and Robin Luby • David Marshman • Eileen Mason • MaryAnn McCauley • Edward and Elizabeth McIntyre • Beate Menzel • Eugene and Rebecca Mitchell • Gregory Nesbitt • Pamela Parker • Michael Perkins* and Anne Turhollow • Mary Yankee Peters and John David Peters • Dr. Sandra Petersen and Tuba Jim • Carol L. Plantamura • William R. Pond • Ernest and Evelyn Rady • Bruce and Patricia Rasmussen • Laura Ravine • Michael J. Rensink • Lois J. Richmond Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation • Jeffrey and Marieke Rothschild • Ryde Family Memorial Foundation • Vicki Salton • Hermeen Scharaga • Carol Schrauzer • Sharry and Larry Seal • Bob and Alexandra Shugert • Portia Shumaker • Drs. Eleanor Smith and John Malone • Joann Stang • Daniel and Holly Swanson • Jennifer Thomas • William G. Tong • Dr. Fred and Erika Torri • Dr. Phyllis Tyson • Gretchen Vik and Larry Clapper* • Nancy Walters • Nathan and Evette Weiss • Mr. Eliot Weitz • Mary Ann White and Lee Margot • Vernon White • Harry and Sandra Wilbur • Joyce Williams • Joseph and Mary Witztum • Eugene Yee • Barbara and Mel Yost • The Helene and Allan Ziman Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation

FRIEND $ 600 – $999

Kathleen and Charles Ables • Gary Allard • George Boomer and Caroline Chen • Barbara Carlton • Chip and Kay Certain • Donald Coleman • L. Renee Comeau and Terry Gulden • Steve and Cathy Constable • Rilla and Denis M. Crane • Ann De Fields • RayMonda Duvall • Robert and Ona Elliott • Jeffrey Esko • Alison Gildred • Marcia and David M. Gill • Andrea Hales and Bill Brown • Monika M. and John Hardy • Bonifacio G. and Suzanne M. Hernandez • Anne Hoiberg • Elena Juarez • Linda and Norman Kass • Mr. Maurice Kawashima • Joseph Koob II • Ruth Landaal and Charles Simmons • Alfred Manaster • Elizabeth McClellan • Michael and Kimberly McSherry • Joan and Alex Mincks • Lynn and Trudy Mitchell • Cheryl Morabito • Julie Nydam • Jerome Podczaski and Carrie Kirshman • Bill Purves and Donald Schmidt • Michael Quiniola • Bruce Ramet • Kathleen Savino • Kari Lorraine Scott • Bruce E. Shirer, M.D. • Rebecca Smith and Tom Tseng • Tony Su • Suhaila White • N E Wineberg

FRIEND $ 300 - $599

Anonymous (4) • Helen Adams • Judith Adler • Robert and Meredith Alcock • Susan Barbey-Booth • Scott Warren Barnard • Capt. Joseph Bartel, USN • Arthur J.* and Darlene Bauer • Leland Beck and Marla J. English • Mark and Kimberly Bedell • Leslia L. Belanger • Dr. Liliana Binner • Lois Bloom • John and Rebecca Borg • Richard and Rosalie Bregante • Dr. and Mrs. Adam Breslow • Robert and Linda Cain • Dr. Mary Ann Calcott • Jeffrey and Katherine Calkins • Bill Cerny • Mr. Edwin Chen and Ms. Hope L. Carlson Chen • Angela Chilcott • Cyrus Choobineh • Patricia Coffey • Richard Crosland, PhD • Peter Curtin • Mike Dessert and Anne Hanneken • William and Maxine Donlon • Claudia H Drake • Jerome E. Eggers • Joseph Fannella • Susan Farrell and Ned Krumrey • Christopher Ferreria • George Fleischli, in loving memory of Mary Ellen Fleischli • Dr. William and Judith Friedel • Paul and Sandra Gerard • Partho Ghosh and Stephanie Mel • Douglas and Ellen Goepfert • Sonya and Robert Googins • Lyman Green • Jim Greene • Cherie Tirschwell Halladay • John and Kaye Hambleton • Tamara HauserEspinoza • Mary Hazzard • Megan Heine • Patrick Hurley and Linda Peterson • Claudi Ibarra and Hector Tamburini • Kenneth Jackson • Geraldine Jenkins • Bryan and Donna Jones • Zella Kahn-Jetter • Ulrike Kamitter-Lobbia • Miriam Kastner • Patricia Keller Living Trust • Jo Kiernan and Bjorn Bjerede* • Helen and Webster Kinnaird • Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Knipstein • Marilyn A. Lamb • Elizabeth C. Lancaster • Charles Laughlin • Elizabeth B. Leech • Elizabeth and James Leighton • Maria-Cristina Leon • Judy and Jack Leshefka • Ann and Gerald* Lipschitz • Helga Lupu • Nicolae Lupu • Susan Marberry • Tom Maricich • Stuart and Anne Marshall • Douglas M. and Paula A. McGraime Charitable Foundation • Jim and Patty McNeill • Victor Cardello and Robert Melton • Tanya Mestechkina • Michael S. and Jessica Middleton • Grant Miller • Millipore • Rena Minisi and Rich Paul • Faith Much • Colleen Mullen • Robin and Henry Nordhoff • Katherine and Matthew Nowak • Ken Oleno • Jeanette A. Ollivier • Rachel and Robert Perlmutter • Charles L. Perrin • Michael and Beverly Phyllips • Drs. Jenny Price and Tony Hunter • Eve Pritchard • Michael Quan • Martha Quinn • Dennis Ragen and Christine Hickman • Ms. Sandra Reus • Ruth Rollins • Kathy Sage and Peter Shapiro • Rosalia Salinas • Richard Salmon • Bret and Sarah Sealey • Michael and Sheila Sharpe • William Sherrard • Mrs. Linda Silverman • Anne and Ronald Simon • Ms. Bridget Slatten • Ronald L. Smith • Cmdr. Ruth Helen Smith, USN (Ret.) • Maida Soghikian • Mr. Robert J. Sokolowski and Mr. John J. Winkelman • John Spencer • Valerie A. Stallings • Edward Stickgold and Steven Cande • John Stover • Pat Stromberg • Charles Stroyeck • Kay Teeters • Margaret C. Tessier and Robert J. Griffin • Jeff and Cathy Tipton • Frederique Vernhes • Kathleen C. and Thomas* Volle • Nancy Ward • Carol and Tom Warschauer • Carole Wilson and Robert Brandt* • Dr. Ian A. Wilson • Sheila E. Wilson • Peggy Yamamoto • Ms. Emel Yuceturk

FRIEND $100 – $ 299

Anonymous (2) • Charles Adair • Diana Adam • Joel Adams • Paulina Aguilar • Dianne Aker • Gail and R.C. Allen • Carol Alvey and Suhail Hasan • Lisa and Ben Arnold • Kishu Azama • Barbara Bank • Mr. Thomas Hay Bauer • Lori Baxter • Mina and Michael Bell • Ms. Inge Bisconer • Jim and Joanne Bodien • Dallas Boggs and Susan Fellows • Giseke Bonitz • Nada Borsa • Kate Boyd • Katie M. Boyer • Robert Brown • Edwin and Bea Buchman • Kenneth and Deanna Buhr • Bill Burch • Avery Winston Burke • Donna Burtch • Richard J. Campione • Vinicius Carreira • Monica Cendejas • Danielle Cervantes and Michelle Gilchrist • Marither Chuidian • Barbara Chung • Audrey Clark • Elizabeth Clarquist • Alice A. and Arthur Clawson • Anne Colburn • Alexandra Corsi • Brianna Costabile • Llewellyn Crain • Tiko Crofoot • Angela D’Amico and Dale Barbour • Gastón De La Garza and Virginia Taracena • Antonio De Maio • Christine Dupont • Natalie Durgin • John Eggers • Michael Eichler and Pat Libby • Dr. Connie J. Evashwick • Benjamin Farber • Gerald Faris • Gennadiy Farladanskiy • Marilyn and Clause Felfe • Carol Ann Flanagan • In honor of Mary Ellen Fleischli • Deborah Flores • Billie Frances • Terre Frank • Richard Fridell • Roy Funk • Francis Gabbai • Mrs. Felice Gardner • Gerardo Gaytan • Jeannette George • Allen Gloyer • Bar Giora Goldberg • Louis Goldich • Ann and Roger Graham • Paul Grandinetti • Dr. and Mrs. Schuyler Grant • Carrie and Jim Greenstein • Dr. Kurt Grimm • Jenna Guthmiller • Helga Halsey • Benjamin Harder • Reno and Leslie Harnish

Donor Listings

• Alec Harootunian • Robert and Christine Hatch • Blake and Jack Hay • James P. Healy • Andrew Helgerson • Joan Heller • Joe Hellmers • Yoshiko and Steven Higurashi-Jensen • Stephen Hion • Jeffrey Holloway • Terry and Peter Holt • Frederick Howden • Tyler Hower • Rudolf Hradecky • Rob Inglis • Camilla Ingram • Mr. and Mrs. Andris Inveiss • Gabrielle M. Ivany • Rob Jackson • Edward and Linda Janon • Paul and Mary Jarrell • Bruce Johnson • Gary Jongeward and Vicki Pinkus • Pamela Kaires • Heather Kane • Yasuko Karstens • Amy Kelch • Norman Kenney • Aline N. King • David and Martha King • Larry Knight • Michael Kohn and Cynthia Kohn • Jane Kolar • Karen Kolehmainen and Yasha Karant • Yury Kolesnikov • Nancy Kollisch, M.D. and Jeff Pressman, M.D. • Jay Kopelman • Gabrielle Kunin • Arlie Langager • Lloyd LaPlant • Drs. G.N. Lawrence and Y. Lin • Lester Lefkowitz • Laurie Lehmann-Gray • Kathleen LeMieux • Jaime and Sylvia Liwerant • Guillermo Lizarraga • David Lizerbram and Mana Monzavi • Marci Lizerbram • Frances Lobman • Kathy Lockridge • Robert Lott • Stacey Love • Linda Lowman • Michael Lowry • Mary M. and Thomas* Lytle • Dominique Maciejewski-Lenoir • Monica Magaña • Pamela Mallory • Sohini Manna and Tom Gillespie • Sara Manyak • Daniel and Kieu Marnell • Karen McBride • Peggy McCamey • Brian P. and Ann McDonald • Sean McGee • Mary McGrath • Perry McLelland • Susan and Philip Mekrut • Lady Jill Miller • Paul David Mindus • Denise Mirabile • Samuel and Mona Morebello • Helen Nagy • Prof. Bruce Stephen Naschak • Peter Navarra • Nancy J. Neigus • Charles Nerad and Rebecca Duncan • Rhoda Nevins • Nam Nguyen • Inga Nielsen de Gonzalez • Dann Nielsen • Christine Noble Power • Teresa A. Norton • Larry and Kristina Nuggent • Maureen O’Brien • Kathleen O’Classen • Rev. Raymond G. O’Donnell • Melinda Oliver • Ms. Joann Onishi-Mogg • Arianna Opsvig • Eddie Ortiz • Catherine and Bob Palmer • Al and Marie Paparelli • Patricia C. Parent • Sally Parker • Barbara L. Parry, M.D. • Janet Parsons • Barbara and Harry Peacock • Carissa Peck • Norma Perea • Marianne Pfister • Carol and Richard Phipps • Corrado Di Pisa • Mrs. Viviana Polinsky • David and Sandra Polster • Ross Porter and Roy DeVries • Mary Powell • Katherine and Alfredo Prelat • Peter Quinlan • Kathryn Rangus • Dr. and Mrs. H. Kent Reed • Louise Rehling • Ronald C. Reinsch • Jane Renninger • Shari Ressel • Diane Retallack • Lt. Edgar T. Rhoderick • Michael Ricciardi • Chris Richards • Ida Rigby and John Sturla • Colin and Monica Ripley • Ronald and Susan Robboy • Ms. Jordanna Rose, Ms. Nancy Hurwitz and Ken Rose, Esq. • Bruce S. Ross and Ava Ross • Norman M. and Barbara Rozansky • Robert and Sharon Russakoff • Vanya Russell • Louis Sacco • Bruce Sachs • Pamela Sanford • Betty Schulman • Todd Schultz • Maria* and Dominick Scigliano • Ms. Katharine Sheehan • Susan Shuchter • Ben Shwachman and Karen Wren • Harvey* and Gail Smith • Joseph D. Smith • Katie Smith • Olga Solovyeva • Steven and Kathleen Sorensen • Kenneth Spindler • Marsha Spitzer and Michael Nelson • Leland W. and Annemarie Sprinkle • Caroline Stanton • James Stuhlbarg and Christine Berger • Teresa Suarez • Joan Suffredini • Gerry Sullivan • Michael and Julie Summers • Ruth Anne Swiderski • Javier Tamayo • Nancy J. Taylor • Lynn Ten Eyck and Linda Swofford-Ten Eyck • Kathryn A. Thickstun • Kathleen Thuner • George and Susan Timmons, In Memory of Mary Ellen Fleischli • Katrina Tjhung • Enrique and Christian Tordahl • Cole Tornberg • Richard Triglia • Judith Tweed • Gus Valdez • Ana de Vedia • Jorge Arredondo Vega • Ed and Gaby Veldin • Rava Villon and David Duke • Les and Carol Von Sederholm • Krista Vowels • Samuel Curtis Wagner • Stefani Walens • Justin Walker • Brandon Wander • Marie T. Watson-Ching • Sandra Wawrytko • Cassandra Weinlein • Timothy Whipple • Steven and Marsi White • Constance Wickens • Eileen S. Wingard • Lydia Wong • Bonnie Wright • Patricia Zimmermann

* In memoriam

Listing as of September 15, 2025. We sincerely regret any errors or omissions. To make a correction, please contact philanthropy@sdopera.org or (619) 232-763 6.

DIAMOND DONORS

San Diego Opera salutes and honors its Diamond Donors, those who have contributed $1 million or more to San Diego Opera^. Thank you for your extraordinary support and visionary leadership.

$10 MILLION OR MORE

*

JOAN B. KROC

$5 MILLION OR MORE

City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture

Muriel Gluck*/Max H. Gluck Foundation

Carol Anne Lazier

$3 MILLION OR MORE

Esther J. Burnham*

County of San Diego

The Joan* and Irwin Jacobs Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation

$2 MILLION OR MORE

Teresa* and Merle* Fischlowitz

The James Irvine Foundation

Gary Jones*

National Endowment for the Arts

Conrad Prebys* and Debbie Turner

Claire Reiss

San Diego Foundation

Sycuan Casino Resort

U.S. Small Business Administration

$1 MILLION OR MORE

Anonymous

Audi of America, Inc.

Raffaella Belanich

California Arts Council

David C. Copley*/David C. Copley Foundation

Audrey Geisel*/ San Diego Foundation/ Dr. Seuss Foundation

Lee and Frank* Goldberg

Kathryn* and John* Hattox/Kathryn Hattox

Charitable Trust

Mr.* and Mrs. Joseph W. Hibben

Harry and Teresa Hixson

Charmaine* and Maurice* Kaplan

Willis Jerry Larkin*

Mr.* and Mrs.* Charles W. Lynds

Sarah B. Marsh-Rebelo and John Rebelo

Mr.* and Mrs.* Ralph Thomas Moan

Victor* and Jane Ottenstein

The Prebys Foundation

Allison and Robert Price Family Foundation

Qualcomm Incorporated

Darlene Marcos Shiley

Iris and Matthew* Strauss

Dr. Andrew Viterbi and Erna Finci Viterbi*

* In memoriam. ^Since 1987.

San Diego Opera is grateful for our major institutional partners. Please support those who support us.

CORPORATE PARTNERS

GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOUNDATION SUPPORTERS

Samuel I. and John Henry Fox Foundation

IN-KIND DONORS

Ryde Family Memorial Foundation

Ellen Browning Scripps Foundation

San Diego Symphony

RAFAEL PAYARE

Music Director

VIOLIN

Jeff Thayer Concertmaster

DEBORAH PATE AND JOHN FORREST CHAIR

Wesley Precourt Associate Concertmaster

Jisun Yang Assistant Concertmaster

Katia Tesarczyk Principal Second Violin

Cherry Choi Tung Yeung

Associate Principal Second Violin

Nick Grant Principal Associate Concertmaster Emeritus

Ai Nihira Awata

Jing Yan Bowcott

Yumi Cho

Alicia Engley

Kathryn Hatmaker

Kenneth Liao

Alexander Palamidis

Igor Pandurski

Evan Pasternak

Julia Pautz

Yeh Shen

Xiaoxuan Shi

Edmund Stein

Hanah Stuart

John Stubbs

Pei-Chun Tsai

Tiffany Wee

Zou Yu

Yeim Lee*

Margeaux Maloney *

Sarah Schwartz*

VIOLA

Chi-Yuan Chen

Principal KAREN AND WARREN

KESSLER CHAIR

Nancy Lochner

Associate Principal

Jason Karlyn

Alexander Knecht

Sung Jin Lee

Zeyu Victor Li

Wanda Law

Qing Liang

Ethan Pernela

Megan Wei

CELLO

Yao Zhao Principal

Chia-Ling Chien

Associate Principal

Vivian Chang

Maximus Gurath

Andrew Hayhurst

Richard Levine

Nathan Walhout

Xian Zhuo

BASS

Jeremy Kurtz-Harris Principal

SOPHIE AND ARTHUR

BRODY FOUNDATION CHAIR

Susan Wulff

Associate Principal

Aaron Blick

P.J. Cinque

Kevin Gobetz

Samuel Hager

Michael Wais

Margaret Johnston +

FLUTE

Rose Lombardo Principal

Sarah Tuck

Lily Josefsberg

PICCOLO

Lily Josefsberg

OBOE

Sarah Skuster

Principal

Rodion Belousov

Andrea Overturf

ENGLISH HORN

Andrea Overturf

DR. WILLIAM AND EVELYN LAMDEN ENGLISH HORN CHAIR

CLARINET

Sheryl Renk Principal

Max Opferkuch

Frank Renk

BASS CLARINET

Frank Renk

BASSOON

Valentin Martchev Principal

Ryan Simmons

Leyla Zamora

CONTRABASSOON

Leyla Zamora

HORN

Benjamin Jaber Principal

Darby Hinshaw Assistant Principal and Utility

John Degnan

Tricia Skye

TRUMPET

Christopher Smith Principal

Clinton McLendon

Ray Nowak

TROMBONE

Kyle R. Covington Principal

Greg Ochotorena*

Kyle Mendiguchia

BASS TROMBONE

Kyle Mendiguchia

TUBA

Aaron McCalla Principal

HARP

Julie Smith Phillips Principal

TIMPANI

Ryan J. DiLisi Principal

Andrew Watkins Assistant Principal

PERCUSSION

Gregory Cohen Principal

Andrew Watkins

Eduardo Meneses*

PRINCIPAL LIBRARIAN

Courtney Secoy Cohen

LIBRARIAN

Rachel Fields

* Long Term Substitute Musician + Staff Opera Musician

The musicians of the San Diego Symphony are members of San Diego County, Local 325, American Federation of Musicians, AFL-CIO.

OFFICERS

Sarah B. Marsh-Rebelo, GG, MFA

Chair of the Board

Linda Spuck

President

Karl Hostetler, MD

Executive Vice President

Brett McClain, PhD

Vice President, Finance

Clarice Perkins

Secretary/Parliamentarian

San Diego Opera Board and Leadership

2025/26 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

DIRECTORS

Robin Allgren, MD, PhD, MBA

Joann Clark

Joseph Giammona

Beau Haugh

Joan Henkelmann

Matthew Kilman

Veronica Leff, MAM

Ronald Leonardi, PhD

Jason Paguio

Gloria M. Shurman, PhD

Len Simon

SAN DIEGO OPERA STAFF

David Bennett

Joann Clark General Director and CEO

Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives and Philanthropy – Llewellyn Crain

Director of Learning and Engagement –

Bernardo Bermudez

Director of Marketing and Communications –

Ed Hofmeister

Director of Finance and Operations –Ricardo Camberos

Director of Production and Artistic Administration – Joan T. Foster

LEARNING AND ENGAGEMENT

Teaching Artists – Natalie Barshow, Terri Cannicott, Agustin Castaneda, Maria

Dolan Caughey, Carly Cummings, Devon Guthrie, Victoria Robertson, Tamara Rodriguez, Michael Sokol, Brian Wahlstrom, Miguel Zazueta.

MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS

Marketing Operations Director – Greg Watkins Company Photographer – Karli Cadel

OPERATIONS AND FINANCE

Senior Accountant – Mario Adame

Staff Accountant – Claudia Diaz-Acevedo

IT Administrator – Joseph Huitzil

Executive Assistant/Operations Associate –

Angelica Mondragon

Operations Coordinator – Eduardo Saavedra

PATRON SERVICES

Patron Services Manager – Delaney LaVetter

Patron Services Lead – Erin Oleno

Group Sales Associate – Matt Kissel

PHILANTHROPY

Data and Donor Operations Manager –Kevin Boudoin

Philanthropy Associate – Camryn Burton

Institutional Giving Manager – Emma Saturday

Major Gifts Officer – Elizabeth Fittro

Yves Abel Principal Conductor

Events and Engagement Manager – Frankie Patino

Senior Philanthropy Officer – Peter Shavitz

Volunteer Coordinating Council – Kate Bower, Barbara Carlton, Norman Cullen, Brenda Hines

PRODUCTION AND ARTISTIC

Technical Director – Tim Wallace

Associate Director of Production – Grace Herzog

Conductor-in-Residence and Chorus Master –

Bruce Stasyna

Artistic Administrator – Adam Cioffari

Lighting Director – Jason Bieber

Stage Manager – Peter Nictakis

Assistant Stage Managers – Carmen Alfaro, Holden Fox

Intimacy Director – Sierra Pia

Production Assistant – Lia Bernhardi

Fight Director – Ben Cole

Super Captain – Jesi Betancourt

Studio Teacher – Missy Simms

COSTUME DEPARTMENT

Costume Director – Christine Joly de Lotbiniere

Assistant to Costume Director – Spencer

Tuchscher-Hart

SHOP

Shop Manager – Lissa Skiles

Drapers/Stitchers – Su Lin Chen, Karen Lehmann, Margaret Hagar, Zach Theberg

Milliner/Stitcher – Sharon Granieri

Crafts – Judy Watson

Fitting and Stock Room Coordinator – Mary Harris

Assistant Fitting and Stock Room Coordinator –

Ginny McClure

WARDROBE

Wardrobe Head – Peggy Harrison

Assistant to the Wardrobe Head – Margaret Hagar

Dressers – Robin Fletcher, Savannah Florez, Jonatan Herrera, Sara Gigi Ladeby, Robin Lemon, Pam Medhurst, Anna Noll, Sue Noll

Dale Smith

Mary Lindenstein Walshok, PhD

HONORARY LIFE DIRECTORS

Teresa Fischlowitz (in memoriam)

Lee Goldberg

Harry F. Hixson, Jr., PhD

Sarah B. Marsh-Rebelo, GG, MFA

HONORARY DIRECTOR

Dame Zandra Rhodes

WIGS AND MAKE-UP

Designer – Peter Herman

Department Head – Peter Herman

Principal Wig and Makeup Artists –

Pam Stompoly-Ericson, Kathleen Kenna, Linda Litchy-Cervantes, Danielle Nicole

Evans, DeSiree Villalpando, Shayla

Shedley, Raquel Trivino, Daniel Volkart

SCENIC STUDIO

Scenic Studio Office Coordinator –

Chase Lowary

Master Carpenter – Jack Hernandez

Lead Carpenter – Cory Klinge

Carpenters – Anthony Chambers, Antonia Hogue, Ryan Monaghan

Lead Welder – Sergio Pinales

Charge Artist – Darin Hibi

Lead Scenic Artist – Jessica Harriman

Scenic Artists – Jessica Amador, Samantha Leon

TECHNICAL AND STAGEHANDS

Head Carpenter – Anthony Chambers

Assistant Carpenter – Sergio Pinales

Flyman – Ron Hogue

Assistant Flyman – Nathan Woods

Head Electrician – Richard Bonin

Assistant Electrician – Leah Nellman

Board Operator – Mike Lowe

Head Props – Antonia Hogue

Assistant Props – Aimee Smith

Head Audio – Michael Gustafson

Supertitles – Franklin Gray

Carlsbad Dining: Young and Beautiful

The burgeoning restaurant scene is reason enough to visit the coastal city in San Diego’s North County. by BENJAMIN EPSTEIN

IT WOULD NOT be a stretch to say that four restaurants of a single restaurant group have elevated Carlsbad—long known as a family destination between Los Angeles and central San Diego—to a foodie destination as well.

Campfire, offering wood-fired fare in a midcentury Quonset hut, and contemporary French bistro

CONRAD

Saturday, December 6

Travel down the rabbit hole MOMIX-style with ALICE, inspired by Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Embark on a journey that is magical, mysterious, fun, eccentric, and much more. Internationally-acclaimed Canadian Brass plays festive favorites. Their joyous stage presence will fill your heart with

Jeune et Jolie—whose name translates to “young and beautiful”—have been huge draws since their 2016 and 2018 openings, respectively. So has all-day cafe, bar and bakery Wildland since its debut late last year.

But Lilo, the newest entry from restaurateur John Resnick and chef Eric Bost, cements the city’s reputation as a can’tmiss culinary hotspot.

Six weeks after its opening last April, Lilo

became San Diego’s only new Michelin-starred destination for 2025; in September, The New

York Times named it one of America’s 50 best restaurants.

The tasting-menu experience begins on a very cool garden patio and continues inside at a 22-seat chef’s counter overlooking an intimate open kitchen; as many as 16 small courses might include sweet corn croustade with green blueberries, or A5 Miyazaki Wagyu with grilled unagi.

Soaring stone-andwood Wildland, also

new, could not be more different.

Lines blur between its 8,000-square-foot indoors and streetside patio, and disappear between its Southern California farm ingredients and Mediterranean inspirations.

Expect bold flavors: wood-fired pizzas, housemade pastas, rotisserie chicken, wood-grilled market fish and seasonal salads. Consider a pizza sandwich—with morta-

della, stracciatella and charred egg—for breakfast or lunch!

Or set up camp at Campfire.

Start with oysters warmed over coals with smoked oxtail dashi; continue with yellowfin crudo with coconut, kiwi lemongrass and Thai

basil; then koji-aged ribeye with fermented Fresno peppers and chimichurri; finish with Yes, We Have S’mores.

Brilliant cocktails—such as the Kentucky Crest with bourbon, grilled guava, toasted green tea, Campari, pineapple, lime and kinome leaf under

“Refreshing”—are reason enough to go.

The nuanced beverage program at Michelin-starred Jeune et Jolie is also an eye-opener. A margarita with a whisper of absinthe? A sake in a 1,000-year-old style with aromas of tropical

fruit? We’re there!

The four-course menu is prix fixe, with several choices for each course.

Recent first-course options included a memorable amberjack crudo and an elaborately presented veal tartare. Subsequent courses offered supplemental

possibilities, such as A5 Wagyu ribeye with sweetbreads. The bar offers an a la carte menu.

Also putting Carlsbad in the national spotlight:

Emily Brubaker, executive chef at the historic Omni La Costa Resort & Spa, has just won the first season of NBC’s Yes, Chef! Martha Stewart and chef/

humanitarian José Andrés are the show’s hosts; other celebrated chefs and a Top Chef host served as the guest judges. Brubaker’s prize

money: $250,000.

Raised in Carlsbad, Brubaker oversees eight dining venues at the luxe Spanish Mission-style property and golf course;

Downtown Carlsbad; the chocolate buckwheat tart at Wildland.

the resort is marking its 60th anniversary. Highlights at its Vue dining room include the charred lime and mint aguachile, scallops with ancient-grain risotto, and corn semifreddo dessert with peanut financier and corn-husk caramel. And the restaurant hits keep coming.

Cbar is a charming new all-day coffee, wine and beer bar with a sweet theme; red wine hot chocolate and Italian

nachos are ideas whose time has come! The menu features breakfast bites, seasonal salads and savory small plates.

Little Victory Wine

Bar serves natural wines —i.e., wines made with biodynamically farmed grapes and minimal intervention in the cellar —and small plates such as cheeses, cured meats and tinned fish plates amid laid-back elegance. What to do between meals? If you love the

arts and performing arts, plenty.

Just getting to and from the restaurants in

Carlsbad Village you’ll likely encounter at least one of nearly 60 street murals. The Carlsbad Art

CHOREOGRAPHED BY SARAH O’GLEBY DIRECTED BY CHRISTOPHER ASHLEY

A hilarious adaptation of the iconic 80s film.

Tess McGill is a Staten Island secretary with big dreams and ideas, but when her scheming boss steals one, Tess seizes the chance to prove herself, making a bold business move that could change her life forever.

Sleeping Tiger Coffee. The Museum of Making Music celebrates its 25th anniversary this year; and the New Village Arts theater is just behind it at 24.

Many consider New

This sharp and hilarious world-premiere adaptation of the iconic 1988 film features an exhilarating original score by the legendary Cyndi Lauper, a smart book from award-winning playwright Theresa Rebeck, and direction by Tony Award winner Christopher Ashley. Working Girl is just as much about the power of friendship as it is about chasing ambition and success.

Village Arts, renovated in 2023, to be the cultural hub of North County San Diego.

Its two stages—Next Stage and new Ray Charles Stage, named following a gift from the Ray Charles Foundation— attract more than 30,000 patrons each year for theater, music and art events as well as comedy, improv and spoken word.

On through Dec. 24: the musical Rent

The Museum of Making Music presents fascinating instruments, galleries and exhibits on the first floor of the NAMM building (National Association of Music Merchants), located 10 minutes from Carlsbad Village.

The venue celebrates the accomplishments and impact of those who make, sell and use musical instruments through exhibits as well

as performances and educational programs.

Among numerous extraordinary instruments, the traditional hammered dulcimer and harp guitar are displayed alongside the electric theremin and the first commercially sold polyphonic synthesizer.

There, we went an entire article without mentioning Legoland, the beach or the springtime Flower Fields. Almost.

“Light as a Feather” is after a few months. Sometimes it’s lush and overgrown and chaotic; other times it’s manicured and curated. The garden staff are heroic, incredibly dedicated people.”

Adding to the experience of Lightscape is lively music and stands where visitors can purchase seasonal bites, wine and festive cocktails.

“We think we’re the best outdoor walking light display in San Diego,” Novy says. “Like everything we do, Lightscape is a family-friendly event, and it’s great for kids. We’ve even heard from grandparents that they got their teen grandkids to come along and they really enjoyed it, and they’re the toughest audience.” Lightscape tickets are time-stamped, and Novy says they definitely see families with small children coming through

earlier in the evenings and then adults later. Visitors of all ages take advantage of the Instagram-friendly installations to take selfies and create reels for social media posts. “We work to create spots along the trail amenable to those without clogging the flow.”

Among the livelier Instagram-friendly vignettes visitors have enjoyed have been “Candy Lane,” with a boppy ’50s feel; and the disco-themed “Rainbow Road” last year, Stewart says. Alongside new installations this year, they’ll bring back the “Winter Cathedral,” one of the most popular spots on the trail, with an arched shape wrapped in tens of thousands of white LED lights. Novy says it’s a particularly popular location for marriage proposals, of which they’ve seen many.

“This year, one of the areas we’re most excited about is the “Rainforest

19-20

Area,” which was just opened up last year for the first time,” Stewart says. “There’s some height involved, with a waterfall at the top of the early section of the park. We get to light that from scratch. It’s a gorgeous, and so far untapped, portion of the walk.”

“We’re really fortunate because a lot of people are coming to the Garden for the first time for Lightscape,” Novy says. “It gives us an opportunity to show we’re here all year long—encouraging visitors to come back during the day at another time of year. It’s a great way for us to increase awareness in the community. At the same time, even someone who’s been a member of the Garden for 30 years will come to Lightscape and say ‘I never really saw that tree.’ Now it’s lit up, silhouetted, and they saw it in a whole new

way. John loves that challenge—to have people see the Garden in a new light and for new visitors to be amazed.”

“I’m always surprised every single year when we go on the site survey,” Stewart says. “It never fails—you’ll look up and there’ll be something you haven’t ever noticed before. A 125-foot tree. Where’s that been hiding for three years? This incredibly beautiful chunk of land is full of surprises. The natural beauty of the park never stops giving.”

Lightscape runs at San Diego Botanic Garden from Nov. 14 to Jan. 4, 2026. The one-way directional path takes about 60 to 90 minutes to walk and is stroller and wheelchair accessible; some areas include dirt pathways. Wear comfy shoes.

For more info and tickets, visit sdbg.org/lightscape

REPROGRAMMED!

Performances Magazine unveils a digital program platform for shows and concerts

DROP DOWN MENU Table of app contents.

REGISTER

Stay arts-engaged, access past programs.

THE ESSENTIALS

Acts, scenes, synopses, repertory and notes.

CONTRIBUTORS

Donors and sponsors who make it all possible—you!

NO RUSTLING PAGES, no killing trees . . . the digital Performances program platform has proved to be one of the more enduring recent theater innovations.

The touchless platform provides the programs for 20 Southern California performing-arts organizations, from the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Ahmanson Theatre to San Diego Opera, where the app made its debut.

Among a variety of features, it provides cast and player bios, donor and season updates, and numerous

other arts-centric features.

Audiences receive a link and a code word that instantly activate the app; QR codes are posted, too.

Screens go dark when curtains go up and return when house lights come back on.

Updates—such as repertory changes, understudy substitutions and significant new donations —can be made right up to showtime, no inserts necessary.

Other plusses include video and audio streams, translations and expanded biographies.

SEARCH

Find whatever it is you want to know—easily.

SIGN IN

Link to your performing-arts companies and venues.

THE PLAYERS

Bios and background for cast, crew and creators.

WHAT’S ON

What’s coming at a glance and ticket information.

For those who consider printed programs to be keepsakes, a limited number, as well as commemorative issues for special events, continue to be produced. Collectibles!

Meanwhile, there is less deforestation, consumption of petroleum inks and programs headed for landfills.

For the ecologically minded, the platform gets a standing ovation.

The digital Performances is but one more reason for audience excitement. Activate your link and enjoy the shows. CALEB WACHS