2021 | 2022 Season
Opera Parallèle presents
La Belle et la Bête
by Philip Glass
Libretto by the Composer
based on the film by Jean Cocteau
A surreal new take on a
timeless tale, fusing opera
& film live on stage.
Performances
- July 14, 2022 – 7:30pm
- July 15, 2022 – 7:30pm
- July 16, 2022 – 7:30pm
- July 17, 2022 – 3pm
Venue
Running Time: 90 mins with no intermission – performed in French with English subtitles.
COVID HEALTH & SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
- SFJAZZ requires proof of vaccination against COVID-19 prior to entering the SFJAZZ Center. All patrons must provide proof of having completed the initial course of vaccination, and a government issued photo ID to enter the SFJAZZ Center. (A student ID for people under the age of 18 is acceptable). Vaccination validation apps such as CommonPass and Clear, VaxYes are also accepted. Based on the updated requirements of the Department of Health, boosters are no longer required.
- Proof of vaccination is required for children under the age of 12 years old, however photo ID is not needed as long as they are accompanied by fully vaccinated parents/guardians with valid photo ID.
- Children ages 4 years old and under, for whom there is no currently available vaccine, are not permitted to enter the SFJAZZ Center regardless of the vaccination status of their guardian.
- In order to protect our staff, performing artists, and attending audiences and to create the safest environment possible, at this time, SFJAZZ will not recognize any exemptions to its Vaccination-Only requirement and policy.
- Masks must be worn at all times inside the SFJAZZ Center. Particularly in light of the Omicron variant, it’s highly recommended that everyone wear a non-vented respirator, such as an N95, KN95, or KF94 mask. A well-fitting surgical/procedural mask with a cloth mask worn over it to increase fit is also recommended.
- READ SFAZZ’s FULL HEALTH & SAFETY POLICY HERE
A new presentation of the classic fairytale La Belle et la Bête blurs the boundaries of film and opera, fusing Jean Cocteau’s 1946 film with a powerful and arresting score by Philip Glass, thus honoring two of the great artistic minds of modern times. With this production Opera Parallèle will become the first company to present performances of all three operas Glass wrote in homage to Cocteau, having performed Orphée in 2011 and Les Enfants Terribles in 2017. OP is thrilled to complete the trilogy in celebration of Philip Glass’ 85th Birthday in 2022.
Once upon a time, in a world of magic and wonder, the true love of a beautiful girl finally dispelled the torment of a feral but gentle-hearted beast. Jean Cocteau’s sublime adaptation of Mme. Leprince de Beaumont’s fairy-tale masterpiece is a landmark of motion picture fantasy, with unforgettably romantic performances by Jean Marais and Josette Day. By transforming the characters of both the Beast and Belle from childlike figures to complex adult characters living in a surrealistic dream world, Cocteau transforms the tale into a surreal vision of death and desire while exploring themes that continue to resonate today—identity, compassion, and inner beauty. This timeless icon of cinematic wonder served as the inspiration for Philip Glass’ 1994 opera of the same name.
Cast
Click on an artist below to learn more
Vanessa Becerra
'La Belle' - Soprano
Hadleigh Adams
'La Bête/Le Prince/Avenant' - Baritone
Sophie Delphis
'Félicie/Adelaïde' - Mezzo-Soprano
Eugene Brancoveanu
'Le Père/Ludovic/L'Usurier' - Baritone
Creative & Production Teams
Nicole Paiement
Conductor
Mextly Couzin
Lighting Designer
Brian Staufenbiel
Director & Concept Designer
Jacques Desjardins
Assistant Conductor
David Murakami
Projection Designer & Director of Photography
Erin Neff
Assistant Director
Natalie Barshow
Costume Designer
Patricia Kristof Moy
French Diction Coach
Sam Clevenger
VFX Artist
Jay Cruz
Sound Designer & Programmer
Y. Sharon Peng
Wigs & Make Up Designer
Composer & Film Maker
Tony Shayne
Production Manager
Jamie Fuller
Stage Manager
Philip Glass
Composer
Jean Cocteau
Film Maker
Musicians
Members of the MANA Saxophone Quartet
Keisuke Nakagoshi
Keyboard & Resident Pianist
Kevin Korth
Keyboard
Taylor Chan
Keyboard
Kjell Nordeson
Percussion
Supporters
Major support for La Belle et la Bête has been provided by Gordon Getty, Stephen & Diane Heiman, and Horizons Foundation, with support from the Hulisch-Flechtheim Fund, Future Fund, Dillonwood Arts, and Anne Sterling Dorman LGBT Fund. Additional support has been provided by Elizabeth McMillan & George Varian, Susan & Mark Geyer, and Producers Circle members Donna Dubinsky & Len Shustek.
Major institutional and corporate support for Opera Parallèle has been provided by Adobe, The Lemala Fund, National Endowment for the Arts, City & County of San Francisco Grants for the Arts, and The Shenson Foundation.
The Bullhorn: Amplifying Unheard Voices received funding from a Civic Practice Grant from OPERA America’s Opera Fund.