La finta giardinera August 2, 2012

August 2 at 8:00 pm and August 4 at 2:00 pm

Set to a ravishing Mozart score, the story combines the serious and the comic to great effect. Count Belfiore has stabbed his former lover, Marchioness Violante, and left her for dead. But she returns very much alive, disguised as the gardener Sandrina to confront Belfiore, who is now about to marry the Mayor's niece, Arminda. Nardo, the new groundskeeper and disguised servant of the Marchioness, is chasing the Mayor's servant Serpetta, while Ramiro, a nobleman residing in the estate at which they are gardening, is struggling to get over his unrequited love for Arminda. Of course, after much confusion and numerous twists of fate, all ends well.

Led artistically by San Francisco Opera Center Director and internationally acclaimed soprano Sheri Greenawald, the Merola Opera Program is an independent nonprofit organization which operates in collaboration with the San Francisco Opera. Founded in 1957 and named for San Francisco Opera's founder, Gaetano Merola, the Program is recognized as one of the most prestigious operatic training programs in the world. The Merola Opera Program typically receives more than 800 applications for approximately 30 positions. Throughout the summer, the Merola artists participate in master classes and private coachings with opera luminaries. Participants - who include singers, apprentice coaches and an apprentice stage director - also receive training in operatic repertory, foreign languages, diction, acting and stage movement.

Tickets for La finta giardinera are $40 and $60, in addition to a student price of $25.* (Student tickets must be purchased in person at the box office)

Call San Francisco Opera Box Office at (415) 864-3330 to purchase tickets. Monday 10 AM - 5 PM or Tuesday - Friday 10 AM - 6 PM. The Cowell Theater is located in the Fort Mason Center on Marina Boulevard at Buchanan Street, along the northern waterfront between Aquatic Park and the Marina Green.

Official Website: http://www.merola.org