Classical Music in San Francisco

Looking for something to do in San Francisco? Check out our calendar of classical music events happening around the city!

Introduction

San Francisco is home to a number of world-class classical music ensembles and venues. From the San Francisco Symphony to the San Francisco Opera, the city offers a wide variety of classical music experiences for music lovers of all ages.

Whether you’re looking for an intimate chamber music performance or a grand opera production, you’re sure to find something to suit your taste in San Francisco. Check out our guide to some of the city’s best classical music experiences below.

The Symphony

The San Francisco Symphony (SFS), founded in 1911, is an orchestra based in San Francisco, California. Since 1980, the orchestra has been resident at the Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall in the City’s Hayes Valley neighborhood. The San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra and the San Francisco Symphony Chorus are part of the organization.

Formally known as the “Symphony Society of San Francisco”, Incorporated, it is one of the leading American orchestras, along with those of Boston, New York, Cleveland and Chicago. Since 1995, Michael Tilson Thomas (MTT) has been the orchestra’s music director.

The Symphony performs 170 concerts each season primarily at Davies Symphony Hall, with more than two million people attending each year. The orchestra also performs annually around California and elsewhere in North America; schedule permitting, MTT leads them on international tours to Europe and Asia almost every year as well..

The Opera

The Opera is one of the most popular and well-known forms of classical music, and has been performed in San Francisco for over 150 years. The first opera performed in the city was Verdi’s “Il Trovatore,” which premiered in 1852. Since then, the opera has become an important part of the city’s cultural scene, with world-renowned operas being performed at the War Memorial Opera House and other venues throughout the city. The San Francisco Opera is one of the leading opera companies in the United States, and performances are typically held from late September to early November each year.

The San Francisco Ballet

The San Francisco Ballet is one of the world’s leading classical ballet companies. Founded in 1933, the company has a long and prestigious history, with a repertoire that includes works by some of the most revered choreographers of all time. Located in the heart of San Francisco, the company performs at the War Memorial Opera House, a beautiful venue that hosts a wide range of cultural events throughout the year. The San Francisco Ballet is an important part of the city’s cultural scene and attracts visitors from all over the world.

The San Francisco Opera Chorus

The chorus of the San Francisco Opera is world-renowned for its artistry and versatility. Under the direction of Chorus Director John DeMain, the chorus has performed in over 50 operas, 20 ballets, and numerous concerts, radio and television broadcasts.

The chorus is made up of professional singers from all over the world who audition for a spot in the ensemble. The chorus rehearses throughout the year for upcoming performances. In addition to their regular rehearsal schedule, the chorus members also participate in workshops and master classes led by some of the world’s finest vocal coaches and conductors.

The San Francisco Symphony Chorus

The San Francisco Symphony Chorus is a leading force in the Bay Area’s choral music scene. Founded in 1957 by Ragnar Bohlin, current director of choral activities of the San Francisco Symphony, the Chorus boasts a membership of 160 singers drawn from all over the Bay Area.

The Chorus has been described as “one of the finest symphony choruses in the country” (San Francisco Chronicle), and has performed with some of the world’s most prestigious orchestras and conductors, including the Vienna Philharmonic, Berlin Philharmonic, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra, and many others.

The San Francisco Youth Symphony

The San Francisco Youth Symphony (SFYS) is a world-renowned orchestra that was founded in 1925. It is composed of young musicians from all over the Bay Area who come together to perform classical music at the highest level. The SFYS has won numerous awards and accolades, and it continues to be one of the most celebrated youth orchestras in the world.

The San Francisco Girls Chorus

The San Francisco Girls Chorus is a world-renowned choir based in the city of San Francisco. Founded in 1978, the chorus comprises girls aged 6–18 who come from all over the Bay Area. The chorus has toured internationally, performing at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and the Royal Albert Hall. The girls participate in a rigorous training program and receive expert instruction in vocal technique, music theory, and sight-singing. The chorus performs a wide repertoire of music, ranging from classical to contemporary works. In addition to their regular concert series, the girls also give performances at community events and school assemblies.

The San Francisco Boys Chorus

The San Francisco Boys Chorus is one of the most celebrated classical music ensembles in the Bay Area. The chorus was founded in 1948 by San Francisco native Richard Crowley, and has since gone on to perform with some of the world’s most prestigious orchestras and conductors.

The boys in the chorus range in age from 8 to 18, and come from all over the Bay Area. They rehearse weekly at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and perform several times a year at venues such as Davies Symphony Hall and Carnegie Hall.

If you’re looking for an unforgettable classical music experience in San Francisco, make sure to check out the San Francisco Boys Chorus!

The San Francisco Children’s Chorus

The San Francisco Children’s Chorus is a world-renowned chorus consisting of children from all backgrounds. Since its inception in 1982, the chorus has been committed to providing young people of all abilities with a platform to showcase their talents and inspire social change through music. The chorus has performed with some of the world’s most prestigious orchestras and ensembles, including the San Francisco Symphony, the New York Philharmonic, and the London Symphony Orchestra. In addition to its regular concert performances, the chorus also participates in community outreach and education programs in underserved communities in the Bay Area.

The San Francisco Conservatory of Music

The San Francisco Conservatory of Music is considered one of the best classical music conservatories in the United States. It was founded in 1917 and has been affiliated with the University of California, Berkeley since 1926. The conservatory offers undergraduate and graduate programs in music performance, composition, and music education. It is located in San Francisco’s Sunset District.

The San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

Founded in 1911, the San Francisco Symphony is the only orchestra in the world that performs a subscription series of concerts in two venues: Davies Symphony Hall and AT&T Park. The Orchestra has a long and illustrious history in San Francisco, having been led by such musical luminaries as Pierre Monteux, Edo de Waart, and Herbert Blomstedt. Today, Music Director Michael Tilson Thomas leads the Orchestra in a broad range of repertoire, from Baroque to contemporary works.

The San Francisco Symphony has its home at Davies Symphony Hall, which was built in 1980 to replace the original City Hall building that had been destroyed in the 1906 earthquake and fire. The hall is acoustically perfect for symphonic music and can seat up to 2,743 people. It is located on Van Ness Avenue at Grove Street, just across from City Hall.
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The San Francisco Opera Company

The San Francisco Opera Company is one of the leading opera companies in the United States. It was founded in 1923 by German-born conductor and impresario Heinrich Conried. Under Conried’s stewardship, the Opera became known for presenting works by European composers, particularly those of Richard Wagner, Giuseppe Verdi, and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, as well as for commissions and world premieres by American composers. The company’s home base is the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco’s Civic Center.

The San Francisco Ballet Company

The San Francisco Ballet is the oldest professional ballet company in the United States. It was founded in 1933 by Willam Christensen and his brother Harold Christensen. The Company performed its first public performance in 1934, and has been a staple of the city’s cultural scene ever since. Today, the San Francisco Ballet is world-renowned for its artistic excellence, and is one of the most respected ballet companies in the world.

Conclusion

The San Francisco Symphony, the San Francisco Opera, and the San Francisco Ballet are world-renowned arts organizations that make their home in San Francisco. In addition to these major institutions, there are a number of smaller organizations and venues that contribute to the city’s vibrant classical music scene.

Whether you’re a fan of traditional opera or contemporary chamber music, you’re sure to find a classical music event in San Francisco that suits your taste. With so many options to choose from, you’re sure to find a performance that will enrich your soul and provide a much-needed respite from the hustle and bustle of city life.