Tapping into the famed tales of Arthurian Knights, Wagner's final epic Parsifal took the composer nearly a quarter of a century to write and is considered his most magnetic work. A heady mix of adventure, philosophy, religion, and enlightenment, he meant it not as an opera but called it 'A Festival Play for the Consecration of the Stage'. San Francisco Opera presents a brand new production directed by the brilliant Matthew Ozawa, who finds commonalities between Eastern and Western mythology in this fantastic interpretation.

A legendary figure of mischief and might takes center stage in a bold new opera inspired by Journey to the West. Making its world premiere at the War Memorial Opera House is The Monkey King, bringing to life Sun Wukong's rebellious rise through the heavenly ranks. Directed by Diane Paulus, with a score by Huang Ruo and libretto by David Henry Hwang, The Monkey King reinvents this timeless tale for a new generation, celebrating one of the most beloved figures in Chinese folklore.

Verdi's thrilling revenge opera returns to the San Francisco Opera during the preeminent ensemble's 2025/26 season. The hotly anticipated revival production is led by conductor extraordinaire Eun Sun Kim and features the talents of Mongolian baritone Amartuvshin Enkhbat in the role of the doomed Rigoletto and German soprano Adele Zaharia as the jester's daughter, Gilda.

Since its San Francisco Opera debut in 2000, Jake Heggie and Terrence McNally's simmering adaptation of Dead Man Walking has enjoyed over 300 revivals amongst the world's leading orchestras. The 21st-century masterpiece makes its return to the San Francisco Opera in the hands of associate director Katrina Bacchus in her SF Opera debut, alongside conductor Patrick Summers and producer Leonard Foglia.

Returning as part of San Francisco Opera's 2025/26 season is Richard Strauss' brutal tale of familial conflict. Set in the early days after the Trojan War, sex and bloody revenge are the order of the day, when a young princess sets out to make her treacherous mother pay for the murder of her father. A production by Keith Warner, expect a stunning re-telling that celebrates Strauss' expressionist score that elevates this Greek tragedy to thrilling heights.

One of the most synonymous works in the operatic canon, Rossini's delightfully farcical The Barber of Seville returns to San Francisco in 2025, in Emilio Sagi's wildly popular Spanish inspired production. Starring the mischievous Count Almavira and his wily servant Figaro, prepare to be highly amused by their cheeky antics as they take on the adventure of wooing the witty beauty Rosina - right out from under the nose of Dr Bartolo.