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SAN FRANCISCO OPERA ASSOCIATION

SAN FRANCISCO, CA · EIN 940836240 · Form 990 · FY2021 · NTEE A6A0 · Arts, Culture & Humanities · Very Large (>$50M) · www.sfopera.com
revenue
$88.4M
expenses
$68.6M
net assets
$314.5M
employees
717
volunteers
353
program ratio
73%
filing since
2019
mission · from form 990

THE WORLD-RENOWNED SAN FRANCISCO OPERA IS CONSIDERED ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT OPERATIC ORGANIZATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES. GREAT SINGING, OUTSTANDING CONDUCTING AND PRODUCTIONS SENSITIVE TO THE MUSIC ARE CORE VALUES OF THE OPERA. THE OPERA PERPETUATES ITS LEGACY THROUGH THE TRAINING OF YOUNG ARTISTS, ARTS EDUCATION, AND AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT.

profile · synthesized from sources

San Francisco Opera Association produces grand opera performances at the War Memorial Opera House, presenting a seasonal repertoire of classic and contemporary works to Bay Area audiences. The company stages productions in Italian, German, French, and other languages with English supertitles, and offers livestreamed performances, educational content, and community events such as free outdoor shows and Pride concerts. Founded in 1923, it is one of the leading opera companies in the United States.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2021

what they reported doing

Program narrative the organization filed with the IRS. Ordered by program spending.

  1. #1 primary $3.18M
    OPERA CENTER (TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT) THE OPERA SUPPORTS AN INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM, THE ADLER FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM. THE ADLER FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM IS A PERFORMANCE-ORIENTED RESIDENCY OF TWO YEARS OFFERING ADVANCED YOUNG ARTISTS INTENSIVE INDIVIDUAL TRAINING, COACHING, PROFESSIONAL SEMINARS, AND A WIDE RANGE OF PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES. ADLER FELLOWS GAIN VALUABLE PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE BY PERFORMING ROLES OF INCREASING IMPORTANCE IN THE OPERA'S MAIN-STAGE SEASON. IN ADDITION TO PERFORMANCES ON THE MAIN STAGE, SELECTED ADLER FELLOWS ARE FEATURED IN THE SCHWABACHER RECITAL SERIES. THE ADLER SEASON CULMINATES IN AN ADLER FELLOWS CONCERT. ALUMNI FROM THE ADLER PROGRAM INCLUDE: SOPRANOS LEAH CROCETTO, NANCY GUSTAFSON, PATRICIA RACETTE, (SEE CONT IN SCH O) NADINE SIERRA, RUTH ANN SWENSON, ELZA VAN DEN HEEVER, AND DEBORAH VOIGT; MEZZO-SOPRANOS ZHENG CAO AND DOLORA ZAJICK; TENORS BRIAN JAGDE, SEAN PANIKKAR, AND NOAH STEWART; COUNTERTENOR BRIAN ASAWA; BARITONES MARK DELAVAN AND LUCAS MEACHEM; AND BASS-BARITONES MONTE PEDERSON AND JOHN RELYEA. THE SAN FRANCISCO OPERA ALSO SUPPORTS THE MEROLA OPERA PROGRAM FOR ASPIRING PROFESSIONALS, OFFERING UP-AND-COMING SINGERS, COACH-ACCOMPANISTS AND STAGE DIRECTORS THE OPPORTUNITY OF INTENSE STUDY AND PERFORMANCE DURING AN ELEVEN-WEEK SUMMER PROGRAM. THE OPERA'S COMMITMENT TO PROVIDING MUSIC EDUCATION AND ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO STUDENTS, TEACHERS, YOUNG AUDIENCES, AND ADULTS CONTINUED IN A MYRIAD OF SCHOOL AND FAMILY PROGRAMS AND ONLINE RESOURCES. THE SAN FRANCISCO OPERA AND OPERA GUILD BRING OPERA AND MUSIC EDUCATION TO STUDENTS AND INDIVIDUALS THROUGHOUT NORTHERN CALIFORNIA.
  2. #2 $1.14M
    ELECTRONIC MEDIA - THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS INITIATIVE IS TO EXTEND THE COMPANY'S AUDIENCE THROUGH TELEVISION AND RADIO BROADCASTS, HOME VIDEO PRODUCTS, LOCAL SIMULCASTS, CINEMA PRESENTATIONS, WEB VIDEOS, AND IN-HOUSE HD COVERAGE. THE COMPANY'S PIONEERING LOBBYVISION PROVIDES AUDIENCES A VIEW OF THE STAGE FROM VARIOUS LOCATIONS FRONT OF HOUSE WITH SCREENS SHOWING REAL-TIME HD VIDEO AND SUBTITLES.
named programs · 16 · from sources

what they call their work

Bohème Out of the Box
Free, live outdoor performances of opera traveling to locations throughout the Bay Area
Das Rheingold
Wagner's first chapter of the Ring cycle, exploring themes of power and greed
Elektra
Richard Strauss's psychological thriller opera performed at the War Memorial Opera House
Livestream
On-demand digital streaming of select opera performances available to remote audiences
Manon
Massenet's opera about love and ambition, following the journey of Manon and des Grieux in Paris
Mary, Queen of Scots
Opera depicting the political challenges faced by Mary Stuart upon returning to Scotland
North Stage Door Podcast
Podcast series providing behind-the-scenes insights into opera production, creativity, and performance
Opera Ball
Major fundraising event held at City Hall and the Opera House to support opera and opera education
Opera in the Park
Free outdoor concert featuring highlights from the season performed by San Francisco Opera artists
Pride Concert
Annual concert celebrating LGBTQIA+ composers, performers, and anthems with the San Francisco Opera Orchestra
Simon Boccanegra
Verdi's opera about political intrigue and family, performed at the War Memorial Opera House
Streaming the First Century
Digital program offering 25 historical audio recordings from past seasons for online audiences
The Barber of Seville
Rossini's comedic opera presented in a flamenco-inspired production, featuring performances at the War Memorial Opera House and a livestream option
The Barber of Seville Encounter
One-night-only immersive experience combining a partial opera performance with a flamenco-themed party in the Opera House
The Marriage of Figaro
Mozart's comedy of class and power, set in a manor house in revolutionary America
Tosca
Puccini's dramatic opera set in politically tense Rome, performed in a beloved San Francisco Opera production
activities · 18

what they do

direct service · 17
  • Accessible and affordable ticketing initiatives Arts Ticket Access Programs
    Offers $10 tickets to Bay Area residents who are new to opera, discounted subscription packages for students and teachers (50% off select series), and group pricing for 10 or more individuals to increase access to performances.
  • Accessible ticketing initiatives Arts Ticket Access Programs
    Offers $10 tickets to Bay Area residents who are new to opera, discounted group pricing for 10 or more, and 50% savings on select subscription packages for students and teachers to increase access to performances.
  • Artistic engagement and community response projects
    Creates digital exhibits featuring artistic responses to operas, such as responses to Dead Man Walking from individuals at San Quentin Prison, fostering community engagement with opera themes.
  • Digital and media content production Music Recording & Archival Production
    Produces digital content including on-demand livestreams of performances, a podcast series (North Stage Door) offering behind-the-scenes insights, a documentary co-production with Lumahai Productions on Lohengrin, and a digital series of 25 historical audio recordings commemorating the company’s centenary.
  • Digital content and archival programming Music Recording & Archival Production
    Produces and distributes digital content including the North Stage Door podcast, on-demand livestreams of performances, a digital exhibit on Dead Man Walking featuring responses from San Quentin Prison, and a curated series of 25 historical audio recordings to commemorate the company’s first century. Maintains a performance archive dating from 1923 to the present.
  • Free public and community engagement performances
    Hosts free live outdoor performances across the Bay Area through programs such as Bohème Out of the Box, an annual free outdoor concert featuring artists from the upcoming season, and an immersive one-night-only opera and party experience that combines performance with audience engagement.
  • Free public and outdoor performances
    Hosts free, live outdoor performances across the Bay Area through programs like Bohème Out of the Box, an annual free outdoor concert featuring upcoming season artists, and a one-night immersive opera experience combining performance with audience engagement.
  • Fundraising and donor-supported programming
    Receives funding from individual donors and dedicated funds (e.g., Great Interpreters of Italian Opera Fund, Emerging Stars Fund) to support specific productions like The Barber of Seville and performances by emerging artists.
  • Fundraising and donor-supported programming
    Hosts an annual fundraising gala that supports opera and opera education in the Bay Area. Receives production support for works like The Barber of Seville from individual donors and dedicated funds such as the Great Interpreters of Italian Opera Fund.
  • LGBTQIA+ focused programming and events
    Hosts an annual Pride Concert featuring the San Francisco Opera Orchestra and artists that celebrates LGBTQIA+ composers and performers, offered both as a standalone event and as part of subscription series.
  • LGBTQIA+ focused programming and events
    Hosts an annual Pride Concert featuring the San Francisco Opera Orchestra and guest artists to celebrate LGBTQIA+ composers and performers, offered both as a standalone event and as part of the summer subscription series.
  • Performance accessibility services
    Provides English supertitles for all operatic performances, including those performed in English, and offers HD video projections via OperaVision in the Balcony level for select performances.
  • Production and presentation of opera performances Choral and Orchestral Concert Performances
    Produces and presents full-scale opera performances, including co-productions with international companies such as the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre, and supports emerging artists through dedicated funding. The organization has premiered works like Dead Man Walking (2000), which has gone on to over 80 global productions.
  • Production and presentation of operatic performances Professional Theatrical Productions of Plays and Musicals
    Produces and presents full-scale operatic performances, including world premieres such as Dead Man Walking (2000), co-productions with international companies like the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre, and HD video projections via OperaVision for select performances. Offers supertitles in English for all performances, regardless of original language.
  • Subscription and season programming Arts Ticket Access Programs
    Offers subscription packages for the opera season, including customizable summer series (e.g., June 2026 featuring The Barber of Seville, Elektra, and the Pride Concert), with benefits such as seating priority and flexible exchanges.
  • Subscription and season ticket programs Arts Ticket Access Programs
    Offers subscription packages for the annual opera season, including customizable summer series (e.g., June 2026 featuring The Barber of Seville, Elektra, and the Pride Concert), with benefits such as seating priority and flexible ticket exchanges.
  • Support for emerging artists
    Funds performances by emerging artists such as Maria Kataeva, Justin Austin, and Levy Sekgapane through the Emerging Stars Fund, made possible by donors Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem.
capacity building · 1
  • Institutional archiving and historical preservation Oral History & Archival Documentation
    Maintains a comprehensive archive of performance history from 1923 to the present, preserving the organization’s artistic legacy.
strategies · 12

how they think

Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any approach shared with other orgs to see the full field.

  • Artistic Innovation in Production flamenco-inspired production unique to this org
    Enhances operatic storytelling through innovative production styles, such as flamenco-inspired design with vibrant visuals, to amplify comedic and dramatic expression.
  • Community Access and Inclusive Programming access_and_inclusion unique to this org
    Expands access to opera by offering discounted tickets, free outdoor performances in non-traditional venues, and flexible subscription models to engage diverse and first-time audiences across the Bay Area.
  • Community-Engaged Performance Outreach community-engaged performance outreach unique to this org
    Expands access to opera by presenting free, live performances in outdoor and non-traditional venues across the Bay Area, bringing the art form directly to diverse communities.
  • Digital Access and Archival Engagement digital_access unique to this org
    Extends audience reach and deepens engagement by providing time-limited digital access to performances and creating immersive experiences through archival audio and behind-the-scenes documentary content.
  • Digital Access and Archival Engagement digital_access unique to this org
    Extends audience reach and deepens engagement by providing time-limited digital access to performances and creating immersive digital experiences using archival recordings and behind-the-scenes storytelling.
  • Enhanced Live Audience Experience audience_experience_enhancement unique to this org
    Improves audience satisfaction and retention through superior seating design, cinematic sightlines, acoustic quality, and physical comfort, particularly in premium seating zones.
  • Financial Sustainability through Fundraising fundraising-for-sustainability unique to this org
    Supports long-term sustainability of opera and education programs through major fundraising events that secure critical financial resources.
  • Fundraising for Organizational Sustainability fundraising-for-sustainability unique to this org
    Supports long-term sustainability of opera and opera education in the Bay Area through major fundraising events.
  • Immersive and Enhanced Audience Experience audience_experience_enhancement unique to this org
    Improves audience engagement through physical and environmental enhancements, including superior sightlines, acoustics, comfort, and transformed opera house environments that create cinematic and multi-sensory experiences.
  • Immersive and Thematic Production Design immersive_engagement unique to this org
    Deepens audience connection to operatic storytelling through innovative production styles, such as flamenco-inspired staging and multi-sensory environmental transformations of the opera house.
  • Inclusive Audience Access and Retention access_and_inclusion unique to this org
    Increases access for new audiences through discounted pricing and builds long-term engagement via flexible, customizable subscription models that offer cost savings, seating stability, and exclusive benefits.
  • Subscription-Based Audience Retention subscription_model unique to this org
    Builds long-term audience engagement by offering subscription models that provide cost savings, seating stability, and customizable packages to encourage sustained participation.
financials · form 990 · fy2021

the money

revenue
Total revenue$88.38M
Contributions & grants$64.28M73%
Program service revenue$10.42M12%
Investment income$13.56M15%
Other revenue$112K
expenses
Total expenses$68.63M
Program expenses73%
Admin / overhead21%
Fundraising6%
Salaries & benefits$51.10M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$340.73M
Cash$28.28M
Investments$258.90M
Liabilities$26.23M
Net assets$314.50M
Liquid reserves50.2 mo
3 years on record · 2019–2021 · YoY revenue +11.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2021

who runs it

paid leadership · 13
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
MATTHEW SHILVOCK CEO/GENERAL DIRECTOR 60 $463K
JENNIFER LYNCH MANAGING DIR: PHILANTHR AND AUDIENCES 60 $369K
MICHAEL SIMPSON MANAGING DIRECTOR: ADMIN/CFO 60 $353K
DOUGLAS MITCHELL MASTER AUDIO/VIDEO ENGINEER 60 $342K
EUN SUN KIM CAROLINE H. HUME MUSIC DIRECTOR 60 $330K
JENNIFER GOOD MANAGING DIRECTOR: PRODUCTION 60 $283K
DAVID HATCH MASTER CARPENTER 60 $282K
LEON PARSONS MASTER ELECTRICIAN 60 $279K
GREGORY THOMAS DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES 60 $248K
GREGORY HENKEL MANAGING DIRECTOR: ARTISTIC 60 $227K
KYLE POLITE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT 60 $199K
LEE HELMS DIRECTOR OF INNOVATION PROGRAMS 60 $188K
KATHRYN APPLETON DIRECTOR OF MARKETING 60 $178K
board members · 12
  • ANNA FIELER — DIRECTOR
  • ANNE BRANDEIS POPKIN — DIRECTOR
  • ANNE G MCWILLIAMS — DIRECTOR
  • ARIF DAMJI — DIRECTOR
  • BARBARA A WOLFE — DIRECTOR
  • BARBARA BRUSER CLARK — DIRECTOR & MEROLA OPERA PROGRAM PRESIDENT
  • BEN NELSON — DIRECTOR
  • BERNARD OSHER — DIRECTOR
  • BILL RUSSELL-SHAPIRO — DIRECTOR
  • CAROL FRANC BUCK — DIRECTOR (THRU 4/9/22)
  • CAROL PUCCI DOLL — DIRECTOR
  • CHARLES EDWARD HUDSON III — DIRECTOR
relationships · 5

who they work with

  • Box Office Partner — Collaborates with the Box Office to assist with seating requests and accessibility accommodations.
  • Dolby Family Partner — Provides special ticketing benefits to Bay Area residents through a partnership with San Francisco Opera.
  • Dolby Family Partner — Provides support for discounted ticket program for new opera attendees in the Bay Area.
  • Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre Partner — Co-producing partner for The Barber of Seville.
  • Lumahai Productions Partner — Co-produced a documentary film on the staging of Lohengrin.