Came to see the Magic Flute. The venue is super nice, with classic architecture. It's pretty small, which is not bad. Even though our seats were not up front, we were still pretty close to the stage. The performance was great, really enjoyed myself. The only things I didn't like was the sound seemed a bit muffled. I expected my ears to be bleeding from Wolfgang Am but it all came out a bit muted. Also the water was pretty pricey and they wouldn't let us bring the bottle to the seats (had to be poured to a cup). No cup holders at the seats and the seats themselves were a bit uncomfortable. Still, had a good time and will probably be back. read more

Opera San Jose - Front Entrance - Performing Arts Near Me - San Jose, California

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I am a long time patron and feel immensely grateful to have this beautiful venue and this serious opera company in San Jose. Last nights production of Mozart's Cosi Fan Tutti was a total pleasure from beginning to end. read more

I got tickets to the magic flute opera for my husband's bday and so we went to our first opera together in SJ. We found parking at a random but close independent parking lot outside and walked two blocks over to the opera. We passed by some hip restaurants which I definitely wanna check out one day. The opera is in downtown San Jose. We stepped inside and I was thrilled to see a beautiful indoor experience. It's very beautiful inside and grand I would say. People were somewhat dressed up and chillin in the lobby area. There is a snack concession but to my knowledge you're not supposed to bring food inside the theatre. I think you can put the food inside your purse but generally no food allowed. I bought what i thought were middle seats but to my surprise i realized that our seats were in the last row but right smack in the middle. This was a good decision for us b/c i ended up falling asleep a few times and i would have been super embarrassed had i been sitting in the middle as well as uncomfortable trying to force myself to stay awake. The actual opera performance was very good, i was impressed. And i saw some hardcore opera fans standing sometimes and clapping super hard at various points of the performance which was nice to see how much opera is appreciated. Although not my thing I'm glad we went to this opera and had a good time there. Would definitely recommend read more

Opera San Jose - Performing Arts Near Me - San Jose, California

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As a season ticket holder for nearly two decades, I'm writing this review with a mix of sadness and frustration. Since the San Jose Opera resumed performances after COVID, I believe the new General Director, Shawna Lucey, has made the experience for general ticket holders rather strained. What do I mean? I understand the need to provide donors with exclusive perks like the pre-performance party/drinks on the second floor. However, this transitioned over the years to occupying the main entrance hall, forcing general attendees to exit through a narrow side hallway by the coat check. This created significant congestion. Silly me, I thought that this couldn't get any worse. I was wrong: For the final performance of the 41st season, we were made to exit from the rear of the theater, requiring us to walk completely around the block. This was clearly done to provide additional space for donors and VIPs, and it was simply not acceptable. Despite these frustrations, my love for Opera still led me to plan on renewing my season tickets. I had the renewal date marked on my calendar and, as I've done for years, went to the website to renew. To my surprise, I wasn't in the system. I initially assumed it was a temporary glitch and tried again a couple of weeks later, but still no luck. I even called and emailed to inquire about the issue, but received no response. I then attempted to purchase new season tickets for my wife and me, hoping to secure our preferred seats later. It was then that I discovered Saturday opening performances were apparently no longer offered. This seemed like a major change, and I would have expected clear communication about it, which was completely absent. I only figured it out because I couldn't find any Saturday opening performances available. When I finally received something in the mail, it provided no information about the costs. The website was equally confusing regarding actual ticket prices. In contrast, I received at least half a dozen additional physical mailings specifically asking for donations. Given the website's ineffectiveness, these physical mailings are crucial, yet they were used to solicit donations rather than assist with subscription renewals. Again, it seems management prioritizes donors over regular paying patrons. I firmly believe that one needs only to look at management to understand what is happening to an organization, and the San Jose Opera, under Shawna's direction, appears to be spiraling downwards. A month or two before the 42nd season began, I finally received a phone call from the box office. By then, however, I had decided to end my relationship with the Opera. I haven't even talked about the gaslighting that are the emails talking about the performances, or the overall quality of the productions. About the gaslighting, there was one performance we went to - and it was just, not good (as in, whoa - why did I drive in). Well, a week or two later - I get the email about how much praise this performance is getting from website XYZ. I went to that website and looked up said performance. Out of ~350 performances that were rated that month, San Jose Opera was in position ~300. Even art student productions received better ratings, and the criticisms on the site mirrored our own. This situation is truly disgraceful. Unless you are a VIP and/or donor class, then wonderful time will be had. I suppose getting a one off ticket is also ok, but as somebody that went for so long and to see what has happened - well, there you go. I do hope that things get turned around and I can feel welcomed once more. read more

Another stunning performance Friday night at the California Theater. It was an opera sung in Spanish called "Florencia en el Amazonas" . The story was quite moving, costumes very well designed and scenery was beautiful. The music was discordant and strong in the first act (which went along with the plot) but I thought overpowered the singers. The second act was much more enjoyable and we could hear the strong singers much better. read more

Absolutely stunning venue. There is so much to see. Someone plays an organ in the lobby before the opera! The acoustics are great. A really nice San Jose neighborhood gem. read more

Took my niece and nephew to see Carmen. Love it! Production was great, place was clean and inviting, seats were a bit too close for comfort but overall we had a great time! [Fyi you're required to show your vaccine card and id. Try not to complain about it, they're not asking for your liver!!!! Its a small price to pay to enjoy art and getting out of the darn house!!!!] read more

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On 11/12/17, we went to see the Opera San Jose perform La Rondine (The Swallow) at the beautiful restored California Theatre in downtown San Jose. It's definitely not the Metropolitan Opera, but the performers are very good. Most of the performers really put their heart and soul into their roles. The orchestra is definitely very good. Also, the scene designs are nicely done. Opera San Jose does offer a subscription series. Ticket prices are a lot less than going to the Met :) I would definitely go back to see a program on my next visit to the area. If you want an enjoyable event to attend then definitely go to the Opera San Jose. read more

Opera San Jose - Program - Performing Arts Near Me - San Jose, California

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Well worth the price. For Xmas I wanted to give Aj opera tickets. Having sat in the balcony at the SF opera I wanted to sit closer. But wow orchestra seats for the SF opera range from $400 to $900 a seat. I was very happy to get excellent orchestra seats at opera San Jose for $145 each. We are not officinados. The singing was good. The subtitles make the experience more enjoyable. The production was ok. The music stopped during the scene changes. The orchestra drowned out the singers during at least one duet. Overall it was an enjoyable experience. We would go to another production. read more

No one answers! Just blah blah on a lengthy recorded msg. I'm a disabled elder getting dropped off. Need to confirm what TIME tonight's Opera ends so I can tell the person who's picking me up. read more

This production of Dido and Aeneas is way beyond ordinary opera. It is in itself a work of art, visually and musically. The artistic expertise involved in the choreography, staging, lighting, costuming, singing, instrumentality in the orchestra, and visually stunning effects of this production is the most stunning I have seen. It is not for "entertainment." It is for being brought into a separate world of sound and beauty. It is only an hour long. You will have experienced a different sense of being during this opera. Leelane Hines read more

Came here last night for an opera show of the Italian Girl in Algiers and I couldn't believe how well done it actually was. The cast was phenomenal and the production design was top notch very this venue. It may not be a grandiose as the SF opera, but that doesn't mean you're missing much if you chose to watch here. Everything was spectacular and I hope to come here again relatively soon. read more

And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular but one must take it because one's conscience tells one what is right. read more

The SJ Opera performs in the California Theater building. Park at Convention Center; little lot on W San Salvador; or bigger lot across First St. Productions this season include Tosca & Carmen. I'm pumped for those. Bring your loudest "Bravos." read more

Opera San Jose - Performing Arts Near Me - San Jose, California

Opera San Jose is a unique opera experience that will satisfy the ultimate opera purist. This opera company gives young professional opera singers, in the beginning stages of their operatic careers, a platform to showcase their talent in four major operas per season. The opera singers in this company are supported with grants and fellowships from generous donors which allows them to focus 100% on developing their voices and at the same time, learning various operatic roles. Add the quality set designs and costumes with the vocal talent and Silicon Valley has an award-winning combination. The California Theatre is truly a jewel in itself. The acoustics are perfect for opera, yet lending a more personal and intimate opera experience to the audience. Just think, ten years or so from now you could be attending the Met in NYC on business and see an Opera San Jose alumnus on stage, thinking to yourself, "I heard them when...". http://www.operasj.org read more

We've been going to San Francisco Opera on and off for about 20 years and were recently given tickets to see "Il Trovatore" at SJ Opera. We've never been, and I have to admit to being a little prejudiced, thinking that there was no way this company would be as good as its neighbor to the north. We were pleasantly surprised! The venue was easy to get to and nearby parking was no problem. The orchestra was incredible, and the acoustics in the California Theater were wonderful. Most of the singers were very good, though a few of the soloists had some noticeable problems (I could say the same for some SF productions we've seen, though). The company seems to be a good jumping-off point for young singers starting their careers. Aside from a couple of issues, the singers were all very good (the Leonore we saw last night was exceptional). We will be returning for sure. What a great thing to have two great opera companies in the Bay Area! read more

Opera San Jose has always been a group that takes what they have and maximizes their strengths. The company is a "training" group that gives newbie opera singers a chance to learn roles and develop their voices. They are only with the company a few years, and then they usually move on to Europe or larger companies in other parts of the country. I can't remember a single time I've been disappointed by the singers, in spite of their "freshmen" status. Indeed, I have a better time with Opera San Jose and the smaller, more intimate Montgomery and California Theatres than in San Francisco and the cavernous War Memorial Opera House. The sets and costumes may not be as intricate or elegant as the "big" operas, but the productions come across as much more soulful. It's a wonderful experience and I think if you've never been to an opera, it's one of the best venues for your first. read more

We saw The Elixir of Love here this weekend, and it was wonderful. Vocal quality was excellent (both leads and chorus), acting was spot on, and the orchestra was top of the line. I particularly enjoyed the concept that was applied to this show, which set it in San Jose sometime around the turn of the century. (Having worked on a couple of concept shows in the past, I appreciate one that is well done. This one definitely was.) The production that we saw was in the California Theater, which is just gorgeous. The acoustics are also fantastic, which is a nice change from some theaters that I know. From what I've read it seems that Opera San Jose is a little more casual than the SF Opera, but we saw fashions ranging across the board for both women and men. I wore a dress to be on the safe side, but observation indicated that business casual would have also been just fine. Looking forward to going again sometime! read more

I love this - a little culture in San Jose. Being a New Yorker at heart I CRAVE culture! Opera SJ and SJ Ballet have saved it. Driving to San Francisco just to feel like I am part a great community just isn't going to happen more than a few times a year. Opera San Jose is wonderful...I was blown away by the caliber of the performances, scenery, theater, etc. Everything about Opera SJ is top notch! read more

We saw Hansel and Gretel yesterday and it was the best production of it I have ever seen: beautiful music, lovely voices, wonderful staging and acting. Larry Hancock and Opera San Jose have done it again. It is an opera for children and adults which can sometimes drag a bit in my opinion. But this production was lively, happy and a musical treat. The California Theater is a lovely smallish opera house with excellent sight lines and acoustics. Larry Hancock's 45 min pre-performance talk : 1:30 Sun, 6:30 Tu & Thur is always terrific. Do go if you can get tickets. read more

Turns out that the Grinch's heart really did grow three sizes the day the box office received my email complaining about my wasted trip to pick up my tickets. After writing my initial review, I received an apologetic email from the Director of Marketing offering to make it right with some comped tickets for my mother. I appreciate both the personal apology and the effort to make things right for my mom. She's very much looking forward to the performance. read more

Opera San Jose is a local treasure! Locally produced great opera, performed in a grand theater. They do four different productions each year, and all are very good. A great part of the experience, especially for people interested in the back story of the opera and of music in general, is to attend the fantastic lectures before the performance. The lectures are presented by Larry Hancock, the current general manager of the Opera Company (and as of next year the general director). He is perhaps the most knowledgeable person about this subject and presents his hour long lecture with enthusiasm and humor. The lecture for me is always a highlight of the evening's entertainment. These lectures are nothing like what you may have experienced at the San Francisco opera, which generally are sometimes dry and only talk about that night's show; the Opera San Jose lectures are wide ranging, in-depth, and always presented by a natural instructor, who apparently has a great gift of being someone who could teach anybody anything (I have only known very few people who can do that). The venue is a wonderfully preserved and restored grand theater. Usually, there is a concert in the lobby before the performance. This concert is of classic theater organ music played on the pipe organ in the lobby. A nice touch. Opera San Jose is a resident company, providing training to the next generation of opera stars. They are already great singers and clearly on their way to international fame. The ticket prices are very reasonable, especially when compared to the prices charged by the San Francisco Opera. Every seat in this theater is a very good seat with great views of the stage. Even in the back row of the balcony, the view is great. Compared with the San Francisco Opera House, the back row of the California Theatre is like the dress circle in San Francisco. (And these are the inexpensive seats in San Jose). The sound is great anywhere in the theater. read more

This was my first time attending a real opera performance (Opera in the Park at AT&T doesn't count) so naturally, the first time seeing an Opera San Jose show as well. I had been meaning to make it out to a show since my friend's wife is part of the company. Came to the matinee showing of The Barber of Seville with my Aunt. I thoroughly enjoyed the performance. These folks are truly talented! The whole production is amazing. The opera singers and orchestra were perfection. I enjoyed when the singers pretended to play instruments and the orchestra made it look as if it was really them. The voice control and range that the singers have is quite awesome. I have a new found respect for opera and plan to be back for another show in the future. read more

Saw Carmen on 4/19 matinée. Not bad, not too great. Average, not so much depth on most voices. I guess it's the age of the casts. Many seniors, about 3/4 of the crowd; took sometime to get around them coming in and out - is it because it was Sunday? But the best? Free tickets won from KDFC. read more

Terrible customer service. I won complimentary tickets to see the opening show of Anna Karenina which my husband and I were really excited about. I ended up going INTO LABOR on 9/09/10 so could not make the 9/11 showing as we were in the hospital with a 2 day old. I called this morning and spoke with Mike Cheatwood to see if we could get other tickets for a different night or a different opening night as I know that the complementary tickets are usually only for opening night. Mike Cheatwood was extremely rude to me, speaking to me in a condescending manner, and stated that they would not accommodate us with other tickets. I explained why we had missed the show and he just kept repeating that he WOULD NOT honor our tickets for a later showing as if the tickets were not redeemed on opening night then they were voided. A long story short, I was in tears by the end of the call and informed Mike that my husband and I would no longer support Opera San Jose if this was the type of service that we would receive. I asked to speak to another manager and he transferred me to a voice mail box. Hoping that they actually call me back but still shocked to receive this type of service. VERY DISAPPOINTED!! They have lost 2 customers. We will go else where to see our Operas. read more

I first attended this theater to see Carmen, and then came back to see A Streetcar Named Desire. This local Opera house and it's company are amazing! First things first, this building is gorgeous. Built in 1927 it's a lovely little Opera House. When we first walked in we noticed the smell of fresh baked chocolate chip cookies. We wandered everywhere looking for them. And we had just decided someone must be piping cookie smell we found them closer to Market St. They were warm, gooey, and delicious. The theatre is lovely. The orchestra pit is really steep, so that the lip of the stage is pretty high off of the pit floor. I don't like heights. It's too high for me so I have sit far enough back that I am just looking at the stage. The production of Carmen was lovely and lively. Great costumes, actors, sets and music. The translated lyrics were scrolled across a small screen above the stage. Last but not least, the price. If you've ever looked at SF Opera you know that it is very expensive. This is a great venue, with great casts and designers for a really reasonable price! I highly recommend it. Even if you're not a huge Opera fan each season I've seen so far has something for every taste. Enjoy! read more

Saw Manon, an opéra comique in five acts by Jules Massenet. French Opera is garbage. Especially this one. Before this review goes south, I must say that the Opera sucked, not the performance or cast at SJOpera. That part was great. Manon is a whiny bitch that doesn't get her way. Because of that I slept thru act one. Take that fat lady. The music was well executed and the Soprano and Tenor roles well sung. Want some culture in San Jose past drinking shitty beer out of a can or trying to find the taqueria that wont make you sick? Try the opera. The California Theater is really nice and swank and they don't sweat you for wearing blue jeans and a t-shirt to the show. Try that in uppity old stuffy San Francisco. Bravo Opera SJ - try not to book any more crap French sob stories.. read more

Opera San Jose is an amazing experience. It is incredibly reasonably priced compared to Opera San Francisco, and I like the choices of operas at SJ much better. This season, 2013-2014, has knocked it out of the ball park. "Madame Butterfly" was mesmerizing. read more

Opera San Jose puts on first class productions consistently, and offers them at an affordable price. It's difficult to get Silicon Valley residents to appreciate the magic that is opera but OSJ does it's best with consistently well-planned seasons, full of both traditional opera favs and lately, new productions/world premieres that remind people why opera has survived for such a long time. Their resident artists are passionate and well-trained singers who put their hearts into their roles. The opera pre-talk helps newcomers to opera understand what they're about to see, and provides little-known facts about the composers and the production for those who are more seasoned patrons. Everyone should go...opera is drama, music, dance, and theatre all in one beautifully costumed package! read more

We were at the California Theater location at 345 First St. Saw Carmen by Bizet here on Saturday night, 4/25/09. More than adequate performance and superb music. My only gripe is paying $85.00 per ticket to sit in the the nose bleed seating at the top of the mezzanine. The map on the website gives a very misleading idea of where the seating is. These seats showed as being in the middle of that area, not the top-most row. They also had the temperature set much too warm - but, OTOH, I guess heat rises. I would never go here again unless I could get much better seats - and I'm still not sure I'd pay $85.00/ticket again. OTOH, I've always wanted to see Carmen and I enjoyed it. Do be aware, however, that they have two sets (teams?) of actors who seem to take turns in performing, so I didn't get to see the ones that attracted me in the first place. Perhaps that's why there were tickets available for this performance on a Saturday night.. There was nothing wrong with their performance but I wish I'd been aware of this. read more

As my first time experience of the opera, I was disappointed in the "Anna Karenina". The voices were extraordinary, and the site (California theatre) is beautiful. However, the composer's discordant and disharmonious music gave me a headache! - literally! It seemed impossibly astringent and unpleasant, which actually increased my admiration for the musicians -- how they stood rehearsal and performance is a mystery to me -- only 3 hours was almost more than I could voluntarily stand. The set was "spare", and hard-edged, and it certainly fit the music. And yes, the plot was understandable -- and in English language, although I still appreciated the screened words. The play was faithful to the Tolstoy story, and it was a testament to the vocalists that the presentation does evoke some of the tension and emotion of the book. So finally, I have taken aspirin, and still have great admiration for the voices, training and skill of the musicians (both singers and symphony) who could rehearse and perform such music without (apparently) going mad. I have decided not to hold the choices of this particular piece and this particular composer against all of opera -- I will give opera another chance with something more melodic! read more

I am an opera n00b but I have been really impressed with the productions here. We always come on Sundays for the matinee where as season ticket holders we can attend a pre-show discussion about the opera we are about to see. This makes it so much more meaningful for me. I like that they don't have a stuffy dress code (at least if you are not attending an opening gala) so jeans are not frowned upon. People are friendly and the theater is beautiful. The English supertitles really help me follow along too. We bought season tickets again for next year and look forward to experiencing more of this art form. read more

This is a long overdue review for our favorite opera house in the Bay Area. The venue is great - the acoustics, stage, seat upholstery, everything - including the guy who plays the piano in the lobby before each performance. This opera company has a lot of heart. Why am I giving San Jose Opera 5 stars while San Francisco Opera gets only 4 stars? Because you have to take their mission into account. San Jose Opera trains the next generation of performers, while San Francisco Opera showcases established performers from around the world. Objectively, the sets and singers performing in San Francisco are better - but that's to be expected. It's like comparing an awesome diner to, say, the French Laundry. Different missions, different evaluation criteria. Also, the cost of a performance at San Jose Opera is far lower. As an example, a Tier 3 seat (approximately $60 for subscribers) at San Jose provides a significantly better view than a Dress Circle Rear seat (around $98 for subscribers) at San Francisco. I also prefer the atmosphere at San Jose Opera - it's more laid back, less bombastic, perfect for a Sunday afternoon. We look forward to attending more operas here in the coming years. Our only complaint is they only have 4 operas per season. Wish they could have more productions, but perhaps this is not possible due to financial constraints... read more

Saw Madama Butterflly recently. Great performance, wonderful theater and friendly non-snooty vibe. The sets weren't as extravagent and staging and costumes not as eloborate, but the artistis were outstanding and it was a wonderful experience. read more

New Subscribers here and so far VERY impressed! The Pearl Fisher was wonderful and last night saw Die Fledermaus which was fun and very entertaining. The California Theatre is a lovely venue - the restoration incredibly well done. We are so fortunate to have such a wonderful Opera Company right here in San Jose! Bravo!!! read more

I saw the Marriage of Figaro recently and I just watched it on line from the Met. I bow my head to this organization as to what they create with what money. They are $ for $ the best I have ever seen. The stage sets are imaginative and great. No, I do not work there. I am in construction. Thank you read more

Not a review of the performance; we opted for the brunch in the courtyard before the Sunday matinee. We will not do it again. It started out rocky; they weren't ready on time. When they finally opened the doors, they were woefully unprepared to scan the tickets that were required to enter. They also did not inform us that they needed to scan the performance tickets as well, so there was a 10 minute backup at the door for a crowd of 35 people, total. Once inside, things started to look up; each table had a bottle of Proseco chilling in the center. All 35 people lined up for the small buffet of eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, fruit, croissants and pastry. Not wanting to stand in line, I poured myself a glass of wine and enjoyed the sunny weather. Four more people joined the two of us, and we emptied the bottle amongst ourselves. The line died down after another 5 minutes and we went to get our food. In that five minutes, there were no more croissants - just sugar- and fat-laden pastries. There was also no bacon (who runs out of bacon???), and when I asked if there would be more, I was told, rather brusquely that there would be more in 10 minutes. 10. Minutes. Upon returning to the table, two more patrons had joined us and were asking for another bottle of wine. The lead caterer made no bones about telling the server that he was not to bring any more wine to our table. He looked at her questioningly, and she asserted again, "No more!" He apologized and walked away. I had noticed while I was waiting for the line to die down that other tables were getting refills of the wine. So she either planned badly, or she was being incredibly rude. In any case, the latecomers were relegated to begging wine from other tables. Embarrassing. We are now 25 minutes into the event (the first 10 spent waiting for the ticket taker to figure things out), bacon is clearly not going to happen, and the servers have now begun to start CLEARING THE TABLES. No one is even close to being finished, so the servers strike anything they assume we're not going to use anymore - ice buckets (obviously), butter, salt/pepper, and any plate they can wrestle away from the unsuspecting patrons. Five minutes after THAT, an entire bin of bacon arrives. Which no one wants because they are essentially giving us the bum's rush. So there it sits, untouched, in the sun. In light of this TERRIBLE service, we did receive a very poignant and touching talk by the conductor. Once that was over, however, we were all but thrown out of the courtyard by the catering staff. The lead caterer went so far as to remove my napkin from my lap, as she and her entire company were on the lam, and had a flight leaving in the next 10 minutes. I assume. read more

Opera San Jose's production of Mozart's Idomeneo is amazing! There are only a couple more shows left before this spectacular run is over. I think we've been spoiled with this opera. The reviews keep getting better. I hope a DVD is made of this, as it is quite possibly the best Idomeneo ever performed. read more

I watched Mozart's Idomeneo here recently and was struck by the elegance of the stage set design, costuming, sheer number of chorus members, and beauty of theater itself. What a gem right in the heart of downtown San Jose! I thoroughly enjoyed my evening and will eagerly attend another Opera San Jose event. read more

Fresh from attending the Magic Flute, I can truthfully say that my wife and I enjoyed it thoroughly. From music and singing well performed, to a beautiful set design, we loved it. Tucked neatly in the SOFA district, this is a San Jose gem. read more