Community

= VOICES / VOCES =
(Equal Voices / VOCES Iguales)

A series that brings free opera to outdoor and indoor venues throughout San Diego County and the Cali-Baja region. This series focuses on cultural diversity and in particular showcases Spanish-language opera, art songs and popular songs.

Equal Voices UPCOMING performances:

All events are free but reservations are encouraged. Click the link below to save your space or call (619) 533-7000 for reservations.

Sing me a Story/Cántame un Cuento – in partnership with Opera4Kids

• Wednesday, June 7, 2023, 5:30pm
  Chula Vista Public Library, 365 F Street, Chula Vista, CA 91910

Join San Diego Opera and Opera4Kids for a family-friendly concert on Wednesday, June 7^th at 5:30pm at the Chula Vista Public Library. Our community-based program =VOICES/VOCES= has enriched audiences with free performances throughout San Diego County. In this series, professional opera singers and musicians present captivating Spanish-language works, traversing musical genres to enthusiastic crowds. SDO remains committed to celebrating diversity through uniquely curated performances, made possible by our generous donors. These concerts are made possible in part by the Office of Councilmember Vivian Moreno, City of San Diego District 8 and the Create Chula Vista Arts Grant.

2022-2023 Season Radio Broadcast on KPBS

• El último sueño de Frida y Diego – July 1, 2023
  • Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera have inspired generations of artists, and this new opera explores the passionate and tumultuous relationship of these two great Mexican visionaries. This world premiere is the first opera by Grammy Award-winning composer Gabriela Lena Frank and Pulitzer Prize-winning librettist, Nilo Cruz.
• The Puccini Duo – July 8, 2023
  • Explore the spectrum of human emotions with two Puccini one-acts; experience tragedy with the Company premiere of Suor Angelica and the humor of human folly with the return of Gianni Schicchi after a 50-year absence. Features the return of opera star Stephanie Blythe, performing an opera first by performing the role of Gianni Schicchi, normally sung by a baritone.
• Tosca – July 15, 2023
  • A tragic story of passion and jealousy about the opera singer Tosca and her fight to save her lover Cavaradossi from the police chief Scarpia. Marks the return of Michelle Bradley and Greer Grimsley and welcome the Company debut of Marcelo Puente in a grand production that delights the senses with recreations of famous Roman landmarks on the stage.
• Ghosts – July 22, 2023
  • World premiere of three-horror inspired one act operas by composer Nicolas Reveles explores the boundaries of obsession and madness, the lasting impact of trauma on the body and mind, and what happens when old world and new world beliefs collide and open portals to the unknown.

All broadcasts are at 8 PM on KPBS radio 89.5 FM (97.7 FM Calexico).

Community-Building Footprint

SDO is building community by presenting programs and concerts related to Hispanic culture, inviting Hispanic artists to perform with SDO, and expanding our outreach to include the Latino community with virtual program Ópera en tu sofa, and other programs offered to the San Diego community like =VOICES/ VOCES=, and the Frida and Diego programs – The Songs of Frida Kahlo (Las canciones de Frida Kahlo), Who were Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo? (¿Quienes fueron Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo?), and Film Screenings of Frida, Still Life (1983) at the Digital Gym Cinema.

Additionally, many of our programs are presented as part of our ongoing partnerships with UCSD Park & Market, The Mexican Consulate in San Diego, Chula Vista Public Library, San Ysidro Public Library, and Sherman Heights Community Center.

We are excited to become closer to the Hispanic and Latin communities in San Diego through our exciting collaborations and initiatives that aim to increase Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility in all aspects of our performances.

Opera on the Concourse

Join the artists from SDO’s current opera as they present a free, lunchtime recital of songs and opera favorites! The performance happens on the concourse right in front of the San Diego Civic Theatre. In the event of inclement weather, we’ll move inside the theatre to the Beverly Sills Salon on the Dress Circle level.

Grab your lunch and come on over in front of the Civic Theatre for this delightful audience engagement program.

There will not be any Opera on the Concourse recitals for the 2022-2023 season. Check back in the future for updates on this program.

Backstage Tours

Discover how the magic of opera is created with free backstage tours for all Mainstage operas! San Diego Opera Docents and Staff guide you backstage at the Civic Theatre where you will see the pre-performance bustle first-hand. You’ll see the amazing scenery and costumes and observe the highly skilled backstage crew who work to bring you an opera production.

• Backstage tours are free and available on a first-come, first-served basis to ticketed patrons, however capacity is limited.
• Tours start at 6:00 pm for 7:30 pm performances and 12:30 pm for matinee performances, leaving every five minutes.
• There are typically 3-4 tours per performance and each tour is approximately 15 minutes and allows patrons to attend the pre-opera lecture.
• Meet at the Artist Entrance on the West side of the theatre.

The Backstage Tour enters part of the theatre that are “non-common” and “non-public” areas. There are steep stairs, uneven surfaces and therefore are not easily accessible for those with limited mobility. We recommend flat shoes. Call 619-533-7000 for more information.