- This event has passed.
100 Years at the San Francisco Opera with Jeffrey McMillan
March 25, 2023 - 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

We are very sorry that the video of this lecture wasn’t up to our usual standard. https://youtu.be/u35wbPBMB1s
San Francisco has had a love affair with opera for more than 168 years. In fact, citizens during the Gold Rush were mad for it. Between 1851 and the earthquake of 1906, nearly 5,000 opera performances were given in San Francisco in 26 different theaters. San Francisco Opera was founded in 1923, thanks to a young Neapolitan conductor named Gaetano Merola (1881–1953) who came to San Francisco in 1906. During this 100 year history, the operas of Richard Wagner held a prominent place in the repertory.
The Wagner Society welcomes Jeffrey McMillan, Senior Communications Manager for San Francisco Opera. McMillan will talk about the history of Wagner performance at the San Francisco Opera and the illustrious Wagnerians who are a part of this history.
Upcoming Events
Paul Heise’s zoom talk “How Elsa Showed Wagner the Way to Siegfried” is an update of his article of the same name originally published in the May, 1995 issue of… Continue reading How Elsa Showed Wagner the Way to Siegfried – A Zoom Lecture with Paul Heise
Click for full details
Our traditional Wagnerian Celebration returns once more to the Classic Marines’ Memorial Club and Hotel. This year, in addition to a festive repast served in the beautiful Crystal Lounge, the… Continue reading 2026 Cosima Wagner Holiday Celebration Brunch
Click for full details
An erudite and engaging speaker, Leo Eylar returns for another fascinating lecture to the Society. His last talks with us covered “thematic transformation” – aka leitmotifs. This lecture will be… Continue reading Leo Eylar Returns!
Click for full details
Well known to Wagner Society members, Thomas Grey will examine the meaning and functions of the “ring” Wagner’s epic cycle. Grey is a Professor Emeritus of Musicology and by courtesy, German… Continue reading What does the Ring actually do in Wagner’s Ring Cycle? with Prof. Thomas Grey
Click for full details
Join us for a Zoom meeting where Erica will examine the relationship between these two vastly different 19th-century composers. Wagner and Mendelssohn knew each other, and Wagner expressed admiration for… Continue reading Wagner and Mendelssohn a Zoom talk with Erica Miner
Click for full details
As the San Francisco Opera starts the monumental undertaking of producing Wagner’s Ring Cycle with performances of Das Rheingold this month, Katherine Syer’s presentation will enhance our experience with a… Continue reading Aspects of the Ring with Katherine Syer
Click for full details