Views Navigation

Event Views Navigation

Today

Flying Dutchman – a video presentation

Jewish Community Center - San Francisco 3200 California Street, San Francisco, CA, United States

Our first Member's Meeting for 2024 will be a film presentation. Our film is entitled "The Flying Dutchman, Fire and Ice" In this film we will be introduced to a real "Flying Dutchman" a sailor circumnavigating the globe in his sailing ship. This will be juxtaposed with a production of Wagner's Flying Dutchman at the… Continue reading Flying Dutchman – a video presentation

Jonathan McPhee – Ring Reduction for Piano

Zoom Meeting

HERE IS THE LINK TO THE ARCHIVAL VIDEO OF THIS EVENT: https://youtu.be/QhtFRauyy64 Maestro Jonathan McPhee is an artist in residence at Boston University, the Music Director of the Lexington Symphony and since 1992 has been a guest conductor for the Houston Ballet. McPhee will introduce us to his most recent work "Wagner - the Essential… Continue reading Jonathan McPhee – Ring Reduction for Piano

Bayreuth, A History with Emma Popek

Zoom Meeting

HERE IS AN ARCHIVAL VIDEO OF THIS EVENT:  https://youtu.be/0aZ9G6X549Q        As Wagnerians, we are drawn to the Bayreuth Festival to see innovative opera productions and enjoy its special atmosphere. For us it is a destination, a Wagnerian Mecca. Bayreuth, however, existed long before Richard Wagner put it on the map and made it… Continue reading Bayreuth, A History with Emma Popek

West Edge Opera – “Legend of the Ring” An Introduction with Jonathan Khuner

Jewish Community Center - San Francisco 3200 California Street, San Francisco, CA, United States

HERE IS THE LINK TO THE ARCHIVAL VIDEO OF THIS PROGRAM: https://youtu.be/lJ_atae246U The Wagner Society welcomes West Edge Opera Music Director Jonathan Khuner who will introduce us to “Legend of… Continue reading West Edge Opera – “Legend of the Ring” An Introduction with Jonathan Khuner

The Wagner Society of Northern California Richard’s Birthday Celebration

Sunset Reservoir Brewing Company 735 Noriega Street, San Francisco, CA, United States

Join your fellow Wagnerians for a festive celebration of Richard’s 211th Birthday! We will gather at the Sunset Brewing Company to toast “the Master” and enjoy a delicious repast while sharing our mutual enthusiasm. Space is limited so book early. Your registration must be received by April 30, 2024. 

Wagner’s French Connections by Maestro Leo Eylar, Music Director of the California Youth Symphony

Jewish Community Center - San Francisco 3200 California Street, San Francisco, CA, United States

HERE IS THE LINK TO THE ARCHIVAL VIDEO OF THIS EVENT: https://youtu.be/j-sc3qjA2rI Maestro Leo Eylar's talk which will combine history, music and politics. Richard Wagner had a troubled relationship with all things French. However, Wagner had a formidable influence on French music, in particular the music of Debussy. Maestro Eylar will explore aspects of Wagner's… Continue reading Wagner’s French Connections by Maestro Leo Eylar, Music Director of the California Youth Symphony

Director Paul Curran on Tristan und Isolde

Green Room - War Memorial Veteran's Building 401 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA, United States

HERE IS THE LINK TO THE ARCHIVAL VIDEO OF THIS PROGRAM: https://youtu.be/Qjlbaw4QqcI             As the premiere of the San Francisco Opera’s eagerly anticipated production of Tristan und Isolde approaches, director Paul Curran will give the Wagner Society a special preview of his staging while sharing insights into this monumental work.… Continue reading Director Paul Curran on Tristan und Isolde

Francesca Zambello on Directing Wagner and her Upcoming Tannhäuser in Houston

Green Room - War Memorial Veteran's Building 401 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA, United States

HERE IS THE LINK TO THE ARCHIVAL VIDEO OF THIS PROGRAM: https://vimeo.com/1024466448?share=copy

The Wagner Society is thrilled that world-renowned director and impressaria Francesca Zambello will join us to talk about the design and direction process of how an opera comes together.

Upcoming Events

Maestro Leo Eylar Returns
Saturday, March-28-2026 - 01:00 PM

An erudite and engaging speaker, Leo Eylar returns for another fascinating lecture to the Society. His last talk with us covered “thematic transformation” – aka leitmotifs. This lecture will be a continuation and wrap-up on this subject with a focus on the Ring and other Wagner operas. He will then discuss how Wagner revolutionized harmony.… Continue reading Maestro Leo Eylar Returns

Click for full details
Wagner and Berlioz with Erica Miner
Saturday, April-25-2026 - 01:00 PM

Join us for a Zoom meeting where Erica examines the fascinating relationship between these two 19th-century titans. Wagner openly admired Berlioz and made frequent references to him in his writings. Berlioz, however, was much more reticent about Wagner. They attended each other’s performances, exchanged letters, and met on more than one occasion, but that doesn’t… Continue reading Wagner and Berlioz with Erica Miner

Click for full details
The TRANSformation of Mime a Zoom talk with Holden Madagame
Saturday, June-06-2026 - 01:00 PM

Holden Madagame recently performed the role of Mime in Das Rheingold and Siegfried with Regents Opera (London, UK) where his performance so impressed Wagner Society President, Andy Rombakis, that he decided to invite Holden to share his experience with us. Holden is an American tenor and University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre, and Dance… Continue reading The TRANSformation of Mime a Zoom talk with Holden Madagame

Click for full details
Strauss and Wagner with Professor John Muller – a Zoom Meeting
Saturday, June-13-2026 - 01:00 PM

Timed to coincide with San Francisco Opera’s production of Elektra, this talk will examine the influence of Wagner on Richard Strauss and his music. Frequently seen as the successor to Wagner, the two Richards were very different men. Join us for John Muller’s examination of this relationship. John J.H. Muller has been a faculty member… Continue reading Strauss and Wagner with Professor John Muller – a Zoom Meeting

Click for full details
Das Kaliforniagold: California Wagnerisms 1848-2026 with David Kanaga
Saturday, July-11-2026 - 01:00 PM

California, Gold, and….Wagner have been intertwined for almost two centuries now. David Kanaga will explore this in his fascinating talk. Those who saw his previous presentation to the Society featuring his Soft Walküre know what an engaging speaker he is. David is an award-winning composer and game designer. His interactive musical scores for video games… Continue reading Das Kaliforniagold: California Wagnerisms 1848-2026 with David Kanaga

Click for full details