Parsifal Opera Previews

October 14th - October 17th, 2025

Explore Parsifal in a 90-minute presentation by Simon Williams.

Professor Simon Williams, Professor Simon Williams, emeritus professor in the Department of Theater and Dance at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and an active director of both opera and spoken drama, is internationally recognized as an authority on the history of acting and Shakespearean performance, on opera as drama, and on the history of operatic staging. He has lectured worldwide on Wagner, served for several years as lecturer for English-speaking audiences at the Bayreuth Festival, and has spoken on a wide range of operas at both opera houses and opera guilds worldwide. He has authored four books on German theater (two of them on Wagner) as well as serving as co-editor of the first English-language History of German Theatre, chief editor of the Cambridge Encyclopedia of Stage Actors and Acting, and co-editor of the forthcoming (2026) Cambridge Encyclopedia of Stage Directors and Directing.

Virtual Preview

Where
Throughout the Bay Area.

Cost
Varies by location. Please see below.

Opera Preview: Parsifal

San Jose Opera Guild

Tuesday, October 14th, 2025 at 10am

Location: Addison-Penzak JCC Silicon Valley, 14855 Oka Road, Suite 201, Los Gatos. Free to San Jose Opera Guild and Addison-Penzak JCC members, $10 for general public. Admission payable only at the door; please email president@sjoperaguild.org for reservations.

For more information, contact San Jose Opera Guild President Steve Zilles at steve@zilles.org.

Opera Preview: Parsifal

Peninsula Chapter

Tuesday, October 14th, 2025 at 2pm

Location: Embarcadero Room, Rinconada Library, 1213 Newell Road, Palo Alto. Free admission and no tickets or reservations are necessary.

For more information, contact Peninsula Chapter President Judy Kahn at judith.kahn@comcast.net.

Opera Preview: Parsifal

East Bay Chapter

Wednesday, October 15th, 2025 at 7:30pm

Location: Our Savior's Lutheran Church/Creekside Commons, 1035 Carol Ln, Lafayette, CA 94549. $10 per lecture. Admission payable at the door; no tickets or reservations are necessary. Check-in and refreshments at 7pm.

For more information, contact Silvia Lin at (925) 838-9255 or slininalamo@gmail.com.

Opera Preview: Parsifal

Marin Chapter

Thursday, October 16th, 2025 at 12pm

Location: Guzman Hall, Dominican University, 50 Acacia Avenue, San Rafael.

For more information, contact Marin Chapter President Peggy Hill at peggyhill@yahoo.com.

Opera Preview: Parsifal

Virtual Chapter

Friday, October 17th, 2025 at 6pm PDT

This free virtual Opera Preview with Simon Williams will be presented via Zoom webinar, which can be accessed through Eventbrite. The same registration link can be used to stream the virtual preview recording through November 13th, 2025 (the run of the production).