Audience Engagement
Final Dress Rehearsals
- Open to any community, school/youth, and senior groups. Join us for a sneak peek at our opera productions before they open to the public.
Talks & Panels
- Our talks and panel discussions provide opportunities for opera lovers and novices alike to explore concepts and topics related to the art form of opera and the productions we present.
- Many of these talks are presented free and online, in addition to free and fee-based events at locations throughout the Bay Area.
Upcoming:
The Handmaid's Tale Community Panels (online)
- Wed, Sep 25 - REGISTER HERE
Pre-Opera Talks
- Perfect for newcomers, opera aficionados or anyone in between, our pre-opera talks provide an engaging 20-minute overview of the opera. Learn about the opera’s music, characters, composer and historical background from a music expert.
- Live pre-opera talks occur 55 minutes prior to each performance. Audio recording of pre-opera talks are available for on-demand listening as well.
Post-Show Talkbacks
- For those who feel curious about the artistry of our productions, join us for interactive discussions with the cast and creatives.
- Talkbacks begin about 15 minutes after curtain closes and are held in Lower Level Restaurant in the War Memorial Opera House.
Upcoming:
The Handmaid's Tale Post-Show Talks
Immediately following the matinee performances on September 22 & 29, we invite audience members to gather in the Lower Level Lounge for a thought-provoking interview and panel discussion.
San Francisco Opera’s department of Diversity, Equity and Community will be joined by members of the cast and creative team to reflect on the haunting world of Atwood’s novel. Her story–brought to life on stage by composer Poul Ruders and librettist Paul Bentley–may leave many of us wondering just how close we’ve come to Atwood’s supposed dystopian future, while others may just have questions about the production itself. We encourage everyone to lend their voice and their ears as we further explore the timely themes of The Handmaid’s Tale.
- Sun, Sep 22 - 5:15pm
- Sun, Sep 29 - 5:15pm