San Francisco Opera Presents Carmen for Families; Special Matinee Performances November 27 and December 4, War Memorial Opera House

San Francisco Opera presents two family performances of Georges Bizet’s ever-popular opera, Carmen, on Sunday, November 27 at 2 p.m. and Sunday, December 4 at 12 p.m. at the War Memorial Opera House. Condensed into two hours with one 20-minute intermission, Carmen for Families is a specially designed English language production for parents and children alike. San Francisco Opera Education Department will also present interactive exploration workshops prior to each performance to engage and prepare children and their families for the performance.

 

Opera newcomers will thrill to the captivating music of this classic work featuring the alluring Gypsy girl Carmen, the Spanish soldier who loves her and the brave bullfighter who wins her heart. Performed in English with English supertitles, this production is the perfect introduction to opera for children ages 10 and up. Conducted by Giuseppe Finzi, the engaging young cast of San Francisco Opera Adler Fellows includes mezzo-soprano Maya Lahyani as Carmen, tenor Brian Jagde as Don José and baritone Ryan Kuster as Escamillo.

 

Presented by San Francisco Opera Education Department, Exploration Workshop: All About Carmen! is an interactive, multi-generational workshop based on the themes, story, characters and music of Carmen.  Rachel Henneberry, Stage Manager for Carmen, will lead dynamic and engaging activities that will transport participants into the world of this dramatic tale. Families will learn about the characters by reenacting a staging rehearsal and taking on all of the roles from props master to Carmen herself. Snacks will be served after each workshop. The workshops on Sunday, November 27 will take place at 11 a.m.–12 p.m. and 12:30–1:30 p.m. at Chorissima Hall in the San Francisco Girls Chorus Building, 44 Page Street. The workshop on Sunday December 4 will take place at 10:30–11:30 a.m. at the Chorus Room on the 5th Floor of War Memorial Opera House; enter through the North Stage Door on the corner of Franklin and Fulton Streets.