Opera ParallèleNewsroom
In the News
2023
OCTOBER
- Mission Local – A Cultural Mission goes to the opera at ODC
- Opera Wire – Opera Parallèle to Present World Premeire of ‘The Emissary’
- The Rehearsal Studio – Opera Parallèle Season to Begin in Two Weeks
SEPTEMBER
AUGUST
- San Francisco Classical Voice – Trans and Nonbinary Artists Fly High in “Expansive”
- KALW: On the Arts – Opera Parallèle + The Transgender District | BAMPFA | Exit Theatre | Marin Shakespeare Co.
JULY
- San Francisco Chronicle Datebook Pick – ‘Expansive’ celebrates the artistry of trans and nonbinary musicians
- Opera America – 360° Opera: Stunning “immersive” productions are surging in popularity
- Bay Area Reporter – News brief: Trans district kicks off history month
- San Francisco Chronicle – Announcing “Expansive” Concert Details
JUNE
- San Francisco Chronicle – Opera Parallèle packs its 2023-24 season with contemporary offerings
- San Francisco Classical Voice – Opera Parallèle Is “Shining” While Planning a New Season
- Opera Wire – Opera Parallèle Announces 2023-24 Season
- Broadway World – Opera Parallèle Reveals Season of Premieres for 2023-2024
- The Rehearsal Studio – EXPANSIVE
- Broadway World – OPERA America Awards $200,000 In Next Stage Grants Supporting Subsequent Productions Of North American Works
MAY
- KQED – 10 Jazz and Classical Performances to Catch in the Bay Area This Summer
- Local News Matters – Hooked on Books: From page to frightful stage – literary horror has gone operatic
- San Jose Mercury News – ‘The Shining’: Opera based on Stephen King’s horror masterpiece comes to SF
- Bay Area Reporter – Women in summer operas and symphony concerts
- Opera Wire – Opera Parallèle & The Transgender District Announces 2023 ‘Expansive’ Showcase
- Broadway World – Opera Parallèle & Transgender District Announces EXPANSIVE 2023 Showcase Artists
- Broadway World – Opera Parallèle to present THE SHINING in June
APRIL
MARCH
- Opera Wire – Opera Parallèle to Present a Benefit Evening, ‘A Night at the Overlook Hotel…No Work-All Play’
- Broadway World – Opera Parallèle Announces Cast Changes in THE SHINING
- OperaWire – Opera Parallèle Announces Cast Change for ‘The Shining’
JANUARY
- San Jose Mercury News – New immersive opera in SF takes viewers to the top of Everest
- Boston Herald – New immersive opera in SF takes viewers to the top of Everest
- Air Mail – Everest: An Immersive Experience, by Joby Talbot
- San Francisco Classical Voice – Opera Parallèle Scales Everest in New Immersive Production
- OperaWire – Opera Parallèle to Present West Coast Premiere of ‘The Shining’
- Bay Area Reporter – New operas for the new year; ‘Everest’ and ‘Prospero’
2022
DECEMBER
- SF Chronicle/Datebook – A garland of musical events — chamber, orchestral, operatic and more — coming in 2023
- SF Chronicle/Datebook – Imagination, beauty and wit: 2022’s musical riches
- San Francisco Classical Voice – Carmen Gets a Graphic Novel Makeover
- SF Chronicle/Datebook – Imagination, beauty and wit: 2022’s musical riches
- The Rehearsal Studio – Opera Parallèle Announces Plans for 2023
NOVEMBER
- SF Chronicle/Datebook – Opera Parallèle’s pandemic-era creation ‘Everest’ set for in-person experience in S.F.
- BroadwayWorld – Opera Parallèle Announces Tickets On Sale For EVEREST: AN IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE
OCTOBER
SEPTEMBER
JULY
- SF Examiner – Philip Glass’ hypnotic opera-film-live performance comes to SFJAZZ
- Bay Area Reporter -‘La Belle et la Bête’ — Opera Parallèle merges Philip Glass score with Cocteau’s classic film
JUNE
- KALW – ‘On the Arts’ Interview with Brian Staufenbiel and Hadleigh Adams
- SFGATE Pick – La Belle et la Bête
- SF Classical Voice – Opera Parallèle showcases Transgender singers in ‘Expansive’
APRIL
MARCH
- San Francisco Classical Voice – Over the Rainbow with John Holiday
- Bay Area Reporter- Singer John Holiday to perform at Opera Paralléle benefit gala
FEBRUARY
- The Mercury News – Sophia’s Forest Preview – by Georgia Rowe
- SFGATE – Sophia’s Forest Preview with composer Lembit Beecher by Joshua Kosman
- Nob Hill Gazette – In Perfect Harmony – Feature on ‘Sophia’s Forest’
JANUARY
2021
DECEMBER
- San Francisco Chronicle – Dec. 27, 2021 – Looking forward to a mouth-watering array of classical events in 2022
- Parallèle Voice: December 2021 – Join us at the West Coast Premiere of ‘Sophia’s Forest’
- Opera Wire – Dec. 10, 2021 – Opera Parallèle to Present West Coast Premiere of ‘Sophia’s Forest’
NOVEMBER
- San Francisco Bayview National Black Newspaper – Nov. 13, 2021 – Legendary composer Marcus Shelby is bringing his opera ‘Harriet’s Spirit’ to the Bayview Opera House
- Parallèle Voice: November 2021 – Meet L. Peter Callender Director of Harriet’s Spirit
- San Francisco Classical Voice – Nov. 16, 2021 – Harriet’s Spirit Entertains With a Message
OCTOBER
- Parallèle Voice: October 2021 – OP is Live! Join us for Harriet’s Spirit Nov 13-14
- San Francisco Classical Voice – Oct. 11, 2021 – Opera Parallèle’s 2022 Is Looking as Stimulating as Ever
- OperaWire – Oct. 2, 2021 – Opera Parallèle Announces 2021-22 Season
- Broadway World San Francisco – Oct. 1, 2021 – Opera Parallèle Announces 2021-22 Season
SEPTEMBER
- Parallèle Voice: September 2021 – OP new Board President & Join us September 30 for the 2021-22 Season announcement & Artist Sponsorship launch virtual event
- SF Classical Voice: September 7, 2021 – Dallas Opera’s Stage Directors Are All Women Next Season
AUGUST
- Parallèle Voice: August 2021 – Meet Everest performer Hadleigh Adams & Audio Engineer Miles Lassi
- OP email announcement: August 11, 2021 – OP Announces Leadership Appointments
- SF Chronicle Datebook: August 17, 2021 – Bay Area music and dance groups celebrate reopening with a communal showcase
- Operawire, August 14, 2021 – Opera Parallèle Announces New Leader Appointments
- Broadway World, August 12, 2021- Opera Parallele Announces Leadership Appointments
JULY
- Parallèle Voice: July 2021 – Meet ‘Everest’ cast members Sasha Cooke & Kevin Burdette
- KALW Open Air radio magazine, July 2021 – Opera Parallèle: ‘Everest’ as Graphic Novel Opera Film. Listen to JoAnn Mar’s interview with Nicole Paiement and Brian Staufenbiel
- San Francisco Examiner, July 14, 2021 – Opera gets animated on film in ‘Everest’
- SF Chronicle Datebook, July 11, 2021 – ‘Everest’ is a new kind of comic opera: drama in the form of a graphic novel
- Opera Wire, July 8, 2021 – The Dallas Opera to Release Opera Parallèle’s ‘Everest – A Graphic Novel Opera’ on its Streaming Platform
- Stage and Cinema, July 6, 2021 – Virtual Opera: ‘EVEREST – A GRAPHIC NOVEL OPERA’ (The Dallas Opera and San Francisco’s Opera Parallèle)
JUNE
- Parallèle Voice: June 2021 – OP’s new opera highlights Harriet Tubman as role model
- The Rehearsal Studio, June 15, 2021 – Opera Parallèle to Conclude Recital Series
MAY
- Parallèle Voice: May 2021 – Meet OP’s newest board & staff members
- The Rehearsal Studio, May 5, 2021 – An Early Celebration of Mother’s Day from OP
- Voices of the Community’s Special Covid-19 Series – Episode 59: Opera Parallele
APRIL
MARCH
- Parallèle Voice: March 2021 – Opera Parallèle presents Everest – A Graphic Novel Opera
- New York Times, March 25, 2021–10 Classical concerts to stream in April
- Opera Wire.Com, March 17, 2021 – Opera Parallèle Announces Everest – A Graphic Novel Opera Film
- San Francisco Classical Voice, March 16, 2021 – Opera as Graphic Novel in Everest
FEBRUARY
JANUARY
Reviews
The Emissary (October 2023)
The Shining (June 2023)
Everest: An Immersive Experience (Feb 2023)
Seen and Heard International – Review by Harvey Steiman
Bay City News – Review by Caroline Crawford
SFGATE – Review by Lily Janiak
San Francisco Chronicle – Review by Lily Janiak
San Francisco Classical Voice – Review by Lisa Hirsch
The Opera Tattler – Review by Charlise Tiee
Parterre Box – Review by Michael Anthonio
La Belle et Le Bête (July 2022)
Sophia's Forest (Feb 2022)
Harriet's Spirit (Nov 2021)
Everest: A Graphic Novel Opera
Opera Parallèle Summits With Everest – Michael Zwiebach, San Francisco Classical Voice
‘Everest – A Graphic Novel Opera’ Review: Drawn From Life and Death – By Heidi Waleson, The Wall Street Journal
Opera Parallèle’s ‘Everest – A Graphic Novel Opera’ takes the form into unexplored territory – by Amelia Williams, Bay City News Foundation
2009 - 2019 Reviews
Today It Rains (Mar 2019)
‘Today It Rains’ a powerful operatic journey with Georgia O’Keeffe – Joshua Kosman, San Francisco Chronicle
‘Today It Rains’, a Compelling Biographical Opera of Georgia O’Keeffe – Elsa Tranter, Classical Voice
Opera Parallèle brings Visual Art to the Stage – Lois Silverstein, Opera Wire
Striking Out for Santa Fe – Phillip Campbell, Bay Area Reporter
The Little Prince (Dec 2018)<>/h4>‘Little Prince’ in operatic form makes a perfect holiday treat – Joshua Kosman, San Francisco Chronicle
Opera Parallèle’s The Little Prince – Opera Tattler
In the Penal Colony (Sep 2018)
‘Little Prince’ in operatic form makes a perfect holiday treat – Joshua Kosman, San Francisco Chronicle
Opera Parallèle’s The Little Prince – Opera Tattler
At the Statue of Venus/Trouble in Tahiti (Feb 2018)
Two operatic tales of love and disappointment – Joshua Kosman, San Francisco Chronicle
All That SFJazz And Operatic Double-Bill – Elsa Tranter, Classical Voice
Trouble in Tahiti and At the Statue of Venus – Victor Cordell, ForAllEvents
Les Enfants Terribles (May 2017)
Opera Parallèle Mounts a Vivid, Multifold “Enfants” – Joshua Kosman, San Francisco Chronicle
Les Enfants Terribles – Georgia Rowe – Opera News
Opera Parallèle’s Les Enfants Terribles Triumphs – Lisa Hirsch, San Francisco Classical Voice
Les Enfants Terribles Aren’t So Terrible After All – Lois Silverstein, OperaWire
Les Enfants Terribles – Opera By Philip Glass – Victor Cordell, For All Events
Opera Parallèle Presents Glass/Cocteau Les Enfants Terribles – Michael McDonagh – Sequenza 21
Flight (Feb 2017)
“Flight unfastens your musical seatbelt”– Repeat Performances, Jaime Robles
“Flight – an Opera” – For All Performances, Victor Cordell
“OP Delivers a Timely Revival of Jonathan Dove’s Flight” – San Francisco Classical Voice, Ilana Walder-Biesanz
“Opera Parallèle’s Flight” – The Opera Tattler, Charliese Tiee
The Lighthouse (May 2016)
“Thrills and Chills at The Lighthouse” – San Francisco Classical Voice
“Wrapped fog lighthouse makes perfect music review” – Stark Insider
Champion (Feb 2016)
“Champion Fuses Jazz and Opera in Boxing” – San Francisco Chronicle
“Champion Delivers Emotional TKO” – San Francisco Classical Voice
“Inspired Portrayal of a gay Champion” – The Bay Area Reporter
Heart of Darkness (May 2015)
“A Shadowy Plunge into Heart of Darkness” – San Francisco Chronicle
“Opera Parallèle Shines a Light on Heart of Darkness” – San Francisco Classical Voice
“Singing the Heart of Darkness: Tarik O’Regan’s opera premieres in America” – Bachtrack
Dead Man Walking (Feb 2015)
“‘Dead Man Walking’ Review: Spare and Moving New Staging of Opera” – SFGATE
“Dead Man Walking returns to the Bay Area” – Bachtrack
“Opera Parallèle’s Dead Man Walking” – The Opera Tattler
Anya17 (Jun 2014)
“Anya17, SF” – Culture Venture
Mahagonny Songspiel and Les mamelles de Tirésias (Apr 2014)
“Weill/Poulenc Pairing a winning combo” – San Francisco Chronicle
“A Theater of Parallels at Opera Parallèle” – San Francisco Classical Voice
“Opera Parallèle Synthesizes Weill and Poulenc into an Uber-Narrative” – San Francisco Examiner
Trouble in Tahiti (Apr 2013)
“Trouble in Tahiti” Review: Bravo Bernstein – San Francisco Chronicle
Opera Paralléle wins again with “Trouble in Tahiti” – Stark Insider
Bernstein’s Trouble Is Our Joy (Review) – San Francisco Classical Voice
Ainadamar (Feb 2013)
‘Ainadamar’ review: Uncommonly vivacious – San Francisco Chronicle
“Ainadamar … Confidently Executed, Classy” – Mercury News
Riveting Reverie: Opera Parallèle’s Ainadamar – San Francisco Classical Voice
Opera Parallèle Presents Golijov’s Ainadamar – New Music Box
The Great Gatsby (Feb 2012)
Ensemble Parallèle’s The Great Gatsby: A Newly Accessible Opera About Striving for the American Dream – San Francisco Weekly
Ensemble Parallèle’s The Great Gatsby – Opera Tattler
Ensemble Parallele’s The Great Gatsby – San Francisco Civic Center
Harbison’s “The Great Gatsby” with Ensemble Parallèle – High Score New Music
Ensemble Parallèle Tackles Harbison’s Great Gatsby – New Music Box
Ensemble Parallele’s The Great Gatbsy – Opera Magazine
Orphée (Mar 2011)
Orphée: Spellbinding! – San Francisco Bay Times
Ensemble Parallèle wows the opera community – Stark Insider
Ensemble Parallèle: Small Company Stages Big Production – San Francisco Weekly
Ensemble Parallèle’s Orphée – Opera Tattler
The Triumph of Ensemble Parallèle’s Orphée – Civic Center
Two operas: Orphée, Nixon in China – The Eastside View
Wozzeck (January 2010)
Operatic Heaven From Hell – San Francisco Classical Voice
Opera review: Ensemble Parallèle’s ‘Wozzeck’ – San Francisco Chronicle
Wozzeck opera as film noir from San Francisco Conservatory of Music – San Francisco Examiner
Review of Ensemble Parallèle’s Wozzeck – Opera Tattler
Press Releases
2023
Media Advisory: The Emissary Opens October 27
The Emissary to Open Oct 27 at ODC Theater
Cast and Creative Teams Announced for 2023-24 Season
Opera Parallèle 2023-24 Season Calendar
Opera Parallèle Announces 2023-24 Season of Exciting Premieres
The Shining opens June 2-4: Opera Parallèle Presents West Coast Premiere
The Shining Performance Schedule and Cast/Creative Team
Principal Cast Changes Announced for The Shining
Opera Parallèle Presents the West Coast Premiere of The Shining, June 2 – 4, 2023
The 2023 Winter/Spring Season Repertoire, Casting and Performance Dates
2022
2021
2020
2009-2019
July 1, 2019: Opera Parallèle elects arts management leader Nancy E. Petrisko new Board President
June 4, 2019: Opera Parallèle announces its 2019-20 season
May 20, 2019: Marylene Delbourg-Delphis and Parker Monroe to join OP Board
April 22, 2019: Opera Parallèle presents Xochitl and the Flowers at Community Music Center
August 20, 2018: Opera Parallèle’s annual Gala, “Creative Rebels”, to honor Philip Glass
June 21, 2018: Entrepreneur Jane Hartley to join OP Board
May 24, 2018: Opera Parallèle announces its 2018-19 season
March 1, 2017: Opera Parallèle Presents Philip Glass’ Les Enfants Terribles
January 4, 2017: Debbie Chinn named new Executive Director of Opera Parallèle
June 3, 2016: Opera Parallèle Announces 2016-2017 Season
April 9, 2015: Opera Parallèle Announces 2015-2016 Season
September 3, 2013: Tod Brody Appointed Executive Director of Opera Parallèle
October 15, 2012: Ensemble Parallèle’s Name Change & Season Announcement release
September 19, 2011: The Great Gatsby review
June 13, 2011: Four Saints in Three Acts review
March 1, 2011: Orphée Stark Insider review
March 1, 2011: Orphée SFGate review
November 3, 2009: Presenting Wozzeck, Jan. 30 and 31
June 3, 2016: Opera Parallèle Announces 2016-2017 Season
April 9, 2015: Opera Parallèle Announces 2015-2016 Season
September 3, 2013: Tod Brody Appointed Executive Director of Opera Parallèle
October 15, 2012: Ensemble Parallèle’s Name Change & Season Announcement release
September 19, 2011: The Great Gatsby review
June 13, 2011: Four Saints in Three Acts review
March 1, 2011: Orphée Stark Insider review