Samantha Hankey, a mezzo-soprano praised by the Financial Times for her graceful demeanor and youthful voice, is receiving increasing acclaim for her commanding presence on stage. In the current season, she is making her debuts at prestigious venues such as the Royal Opera Covent Garden, where she takes on the role of Dorabella in Così fan tutte, and Semperoper Dresden as Cherubino in Le Nozze di Figaro. Additionally, she will perform at the Detroit Opera as the Fox in The Cunning Little Vixen and at the Lyric Opera of Kansas City in her first performance as Santuzza in Cavalleria Rusticana. Following her highly praised portrayal of Octavian in Der Rosenkavalier, Hankey will return to the Metropolitan Opera as Stéphano in Roméo et Juliette. As a recitalist, she has graced stages such as London’s Wigmore Hall and New York’s Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Alice Tully Hall.

Carrie-Ann Matheson, the Artistic Director of the San Francisco Opera Center and Merola Opera Program, boasts a versatile international career as a pianist, conductor, and educator. Beginning her journey at the Metropolitan Opera, she served in various roles including assistant conductor, prompter, pianist, and vocal coach. Her expertise has also been sought after at esteemed venues like Opernhaus Zurich and festivals such as the Salzburger Festspiele and the Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival. Renowned for her work as a recital pianist, Matheson has collaborated with leading opera singers like Piotr Beczała, Benjamin Bernheim, Diana Damrau, Joyce DiDonato, Jonas Kaufmann, and Rolando Villazón. Committed to nurturing the next generation of musical talents, she regularly conducts masterclasses and serves as a guest coach at prestigious young artist programs worldwide. In the 2023–24 season, she will perform at venues including Milan’s Teatro alla Scala, Vienna State Opera, Tonhalle St. Gallen, and Theater Münster.

For those interested, general seating tickets are priced at $30 and can be purchased at the San Francisco Opera Box Office, by phone, or online. Student rush tickets, priced at $15 each, may be available at the venue 30 minutes before each recital, subject to availability. The Dianne and Tad Taube Atrium Theater, equipped with the advanced Constellation® acoustic system from Meyer Sound, offers state-of-the-art performance experiences. Donations of tickets for tax deductions are also accepted until curtain time.