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San Diego Opera: A Well Kept Secret

San Diego Opera has been delighting audiences since 1965 with its superior casting and magnificent voices in acclaimed productions at the San Diego Civic Theatre. One of the top 10 opera companies in the country, San Diego Opera consistently presents a diverse schedule of much-loved and well-known operas as well as unique musical offerings, aimed at a broad audience with a variety of tastes. The 2005 season promises quality as usual, with world-class casts, powerful stories and exciting performances. Opening in January, San Diego Opera’s 43rd Anniversary Season offers Wagner’s Tannhäuser, the San Diego premiere of Donizetti’s Mary, Queen of Scots, the double-bill of Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci, Verdi’s stunning Aida and the return of the Zandra Rhodes’ production of The Pearl Fishers, a production that premiered here and has been seen around the world to critical and popular acclaim.

Says San Diego Opera’s General and Artistic Ian Campbell, “Trust the company, come and hear the voices, and open your eyes to something splendid. The moment you do, you'll realize you've been missing a lot in San Diego, and you'll want to return again and again.”

Campbell believes that the arts in San Diego are a well-kept secret, just starting to be discovered by more visitors. “These are the who appreciate the operas, but also greatly appreciate the quality of casting with international stars. They take one look at our company and understand that they don’t have to travel to Paris or Vienna or the Met to see the best. These audiences also love to discover emerging new artists; and these artists all return as they become famous… because they love it here. For the cognoscenti, we are a Who’s Who of world opera– ahead of the curve!” says Campbell.

The reputation of the artistic community and the city of San Diego itself continue to grow as downtown offers its growing cultural activities within walking distance and tourists are discovering for themselves what the city offers. You can be out every night in San Diego at jazz, ballet, theatre, opera or a comedy club, with audiences that are passionate about the arts and are also willing to take part in and support unique events – even sonnets read by local residents. Ian Campbell is one of several San Diegans heading up major institutions, putting down roots in the local arts, who has worked for twenty years to make it happen. “You can build a life here – or have an exit opportunity.” Campbell says “great satisfaction in knowing that somewhere is actually here; that San Diego is small enough to support sonnets, and big enough to attract international names; the more the support grows, the more the secret will be revealed.”