Events
San Diego Festival Chorus: Carmina Burana
The Chorus, in association with the Mainly Mozart Youth Orchestra, presents Carl Orff's
Carmina Burana
May 4, 2025
Joan B. Kroc Theater
6611 University Ave.
Tickets will go on sale in April.
Hawai'i Opera Theatre: The Sheltering Tree
The sheltering tree
A NEWLY COMMISSIONED HAWAIIAN OPERA
Set between 1842-1844, The Sheltering Tree is a portrayal of the life of the great emissary Timoteo Haʻalilio of the sovereign Nation of Hawaiʻi during the reign of King Kamehameha III
Click here for more info
Maryland Opera: Heritage Series
Operatic tours de force featuring three internationally renowned singers and a chamber orchestra celebrating the legacy of support for the arts by Susie & Sam Macfarlane.
Tasha Koontz, Soprano
Kate Jackman, Mezzo
Dane Suarez, Tenor
Click here for more info and tickets
South Bend Symphony Orchestra and South Bend Lyric Opera present TOSCA
Tosca is a riveting, three-act opera by Giacomo Puccini, featuring an Italian libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa. Drawing inspiration from Victorien Sardou’s play La Tosca, it is set against the backdrop of Rome in June 1800, a period of intense political upheaval as Napoleon’s invasion threatens the Kingdom of Naples’ grip on the city.
Tosca epitomizes verismo opera with its intense drama and vivid orchestration. The tragic tale follows Floria Tosca, a famed singer, her lover Mario Cavaradossi, a painter, and the villainous police chief, Baron Scarpia. Set in Rome during June 1800, the narrative delves into themes of love, jealousy, political intrigue, and betrayal, all brought to life by Puccini’s evocative score.
The opera features some of Puccini’s most renowned arias, such as “Vissi d’arte” and “E lucevan le stelle,” which beautifully convey the characters’ emotional turmoil. These pivotal moments, like a direct window into the character’s innermost feelings, serve to enhance the dramatic impact, keeping the audience engaged and intrigued.
Tosca’s premiere was a dramatic event, delayed due to political unrest in Rome. Despite this, it quickly became one of the most frequently performed operas worldwide. Its lyrical and dramatic elements continue to captivate audiences and performers alike.
The enduring appeal of Tosca is a testament to Puccini’s ability to convey profound human emotions through masterful orchestration and vocal expression. This intricate mix of intense drama and exquisite music makes it a timeless piece, solidifying its place as a cornerstone of the operatic repertoire. Tosca is not just a tale of romance and political intrigue but a reflection of Puccini’s genius in creating music that deeply resonates with the human experience, a relevance that transcends time.
Click here for more tickets and more info
Camarada: What’s your Händel?
What’s your Händel?
Celebrating the diversity and richness of musical expression with music by George Frederick Händel, Jordan Kuspa & Heitor Villa-Lobos.
Tasha Koontz, voice
Beth Ross Buckley, flute
David Buckley, violin
Batya MacAdam-Somer, violin
Travis Maril, viola
Lars Hoefs, cello
Mackenzie Leighton, bass
Dana Burnett, piano
Elena Mashkovtseva, harp
Take a musical journey through the ages with an unforgettable evening of mesmerizing music, narrated by the spellbinding Robert John Hughes.
Soprano Tasha Koontz joins Camarada for a performance of Handel’s stunning Lascia ch’io piango from Rinaldo, paired with the contemporary Fire Flowers by Jordan Kuspa.
Händel’s alluring Harp Concerto Op. 4, No. 6, coupled with his spirited Cembalo Concerto Op. 7 no. 3, continues this musical adventure.
Capitalizing on the robustness of Handel’s genius, Heitor Villa Lobos’s Quintette Instrumental highlights the brilliance of Händel’s legacy to create a vibrant mosaic of music over the centuries.
Click here for more information and tickets
Maryland Opera: Morte e Vita
The operas of Puccini reach our hearts and souls perhaps more than any other composer. Generations of opera lovers attest to these immortal stories of life and death that are limned with music of superlative emotional power. These three great finales represent profound tragedy and passion but also teach us about the power and indomitable resilience of our human spirit. Join us for an evening of tears, revelation, and unending beauty.
PROGRAM
Manon Lescaut
Act 4
Libretto by Luigi Illica, Marco Praga, & Domenico Oliva
Madama Butterfly
Act 3
Libretto by Luigi Illica & Giuseppe Giacosa
INTERMISSION
La Bohème
Act 4
Libretto by Luigi Illica & Giuseppe Giacosa
Sung in Italian with English surtitles
There will be one 20-minute intermission
Approximate Running Time: 100 minutes
Click here for more information and tickets
Metropolitan Opera: Ainadamar
Argentinian composer Osvaldo Golijov’s Grammy Award–winning first opera dramatizes the life and work of poet-playwright Federico García Lorca, who was assassinated by Fascist forces at the start of the Spanish Civil War for his socialist politics and homosexuality. His story emerges through the memories of Catalan actress Margarita Xirgu, Lorca’s muse—sopranos Angel Blue and Gabriella Reyes—who reminisces to her student Nuria, portrayed by soprano Elena Villalón. Lorca himself makes a dreamlike appearance, sung as a trouser role by mezzo-soprano Daniela Mack, and flamenco singer Alfredo Tejada completes the principal cast as the Falangist politician Ramón Ruiz Alonso, who arranged Lorca’s execution. Combining features of both an opera and a passion, Ainadamar, conducted by Miguel Harth-Bedoya in his Met debut, crackles with the energy and rhythms of flamenco and rumba, as well as the violent backdrop of civil war, all of which springs forth on the Met stage in a vivid company-debut production by Brazilian director and choreographer Deborah Colker, renowned for her work with Cirque du Soleil.
Tasha Koontz is delighted to be joining the cast singing one of the Niñas for the duration of this production at the met. This will be Tasha’s debut at the Metropolitan Opera.
Performance Dates:
October 15th— 7:30 PM
October 19th— 8:00 PM
October 22nd— 7:30 PM
October 25th— 8:00 PM
October 27th— 3:00 PM
October 30th— 7:00 PM
November 2nd— 1:00 PM
November 6th— 7:30 PM
November 9th— 1:00 PM
For more information about the performances or to buy tickets click here
Opera Nacional de Chile: Tosca
Opera in three acts with music by Giacomo Puccini and Italian libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa. Based on the dramatic work La Tosca, written by the French playwright Victorien Sardou, the opera was premiered at the Teatro Costanzi in Rome on January 14, 1900. Crossed with topics such as passion, politics, violence, intrigue and religion, Tosca 's libretto focuses on the stormy love story between the impulsive singer Floria Tosca and the painter Mario Cavaradossi, an idealist who fights for his political convictions in the midst of an effervescent social environment. When the relationship between the two is threatened by the machinations of Scarpia, the infamous police chief – whose desires to possess the diva know no limits – it falls to the woman to confront authority, power and evil.
This title became the fifth opera completed by Puccini , and although it was initially questioned by critics of the time for aspects such as the crudeness and immorality of its plot, the expressiveness and melodic and dramatic richness of its music have made it one of the most iconic titles of Italian opera.
ARTISTIC INFORMATION
Musical direction: Roberto Rizzi Brignoli
Stage direction: Francisco Krebs
Set design and costumes: Pablo Núñez
Lighting: Ricardo Castro
CAST
FloriaTosca: Oksana Sekerina / Tasha Koontz*
Mario Cavaradossi: Tadeusz Szlenkier / Mario Chang*
Barón Scarpia: Anthony Clark Evans / Daniel Miroslaw*
Sacristan: Javier Weibel /Sergio Gallardo*
Cesare Angelotti: Francisco Salgado / Homero Pérez-Miranda*
Spoletta: Gonzalo Araya / David Rojas*
Sciarrone: Ismael Correa
DATES
Wednesday, August 16 – 6:00 p.m.
Monday, August 19 – 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, August 21 – 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, August 24 – 5:00 p.m.
Garth Newel Piano Quartet: Her New Home and Brahms' Op.91
Tasha Koontz returns to the Garth Newel Center to reprise her role as Christine Herter Kendall alongside bass baritone, Brandon Morales, in Her New Home by Polina Nazaykinskaya and Konstantine Soukhovetski. Ms. Koontz will also sing Brahms’ Op.91 Zwei Gesange in a second concert during the spring 2024 Festival.
More details to be announced soon! Click here for info about Garth Newel
Blanco Performing Arts Presents: Pautz + Friends
Julia returns with her musician friends in a new program featuring works for string quartet and soprano, an ensemble of particular beauty and narrative power. Presenting works by Caroline Shaw as well as a a freshly commissioned piece by San Diego based composed Tommy Dougherty the quartet looks forward to wowing the Blanco crowd up close.
Click here for more info
Opera Wednesdays: 10th Anniversary Concert
Listen to Southern California’s Top Opera Singers! Artists consist of past and present Metropolitan Opera Competition Winners, active SD Opera performers and guest artists who have sung all over the world.
Please note, entrance to Opera Wednesdays is FREE, however, a suggested donation of
$10-20/person is greatly appreciated.
100% of your donations go directly to the artists performing at Opera Wednesdays.
Click here for more information
Opera a la Carte presents: March Madness
San Diego favorites come together for an evening of opera favorites on March 19th, 2024 at New Village Arts in Carlsbad. Hope to see you there!
Click here for more info
Opera Wednesdays- March 2024
Opera Wednesdays: Every Second Wednesday of the Month!
Listen to Southern California’s Top Opera Singers! Artists consist of past and present Metropolitan Opera Competition Winners, active SD Opera performers and guest artists who have sung all over the world.
$10-20 suggested donation
For more info click here
Mission Aria presents: Among the Wildflowers
Join us for an enchanting afternoon at Incarnation Lutheran Church in Poway on Sunday March 3rd, 2024 at 4pm. Among the Wildflowers is an immersive event that celebrates the story of an immigrant's journey to America through the lens of American folk songs, broadway hits, and opera arias. Get ready to be captivated by mesmerizing performances, showcasing talented local artists. Immerse yourself in a world of melodies, as our musicians take you on a journey through harmonies marked by untamed beauty. This event promises to be a unique experience where you can unwind and appreciate the magic of music amidst the serene ambiance of the church. Don't miss out on this opportunity to connect and indulge in the joy of live performances. Come and be a part of Among the Wildflowers!
Artists include Tasha Koontz, Sarah-Nicole Carter, Joshua David Cavanaugh, Tony Baek, Kevin Martin, Jangmi Eisenberg, and Carole Crocco.
For more information about Mission Aria, please visit our website: www.missionariasandiego.com
Click here to get your tickets!
San Diego Opera: Don Giovanni
San Diego Civic Theatre
1100 Third Avenue
San Diego, CA 92101
Friday, February 2, 2024 at 7:30 pm
Sunday, February 4, 2024 at 2:00 pm
Mozart’s Don Giovanni features some of the greatest operatic music ever written. This special version showcases Mozart’s incredible score by placing the singers, chorus, and San Diego Symphony front and center. The singers and chorus will be fully staged and costumed, accompanied by state-of-the-art theater lighting and projections, for a complete and stunning visual and auditory experience. San Diego Opera’s Principal Conductor Yves Abel returns to lead the action, which features the exciting house debut of baritone Germán Enrique Alcántara in the title role and soprano Tasha Koontz as Donna Anna.
Mahler's Fourth Symphony
For centuries, humans have explored our relationship to the divine through music. We follow Mahler’s path as he seeks the heavenly, in part through the eyes of a child.
Program (subject to change):
Gustav Mahler (1860 – 1911) — Symphony No. 4 in G Major
Tasha Koontz, soprano soloist
Date: Sunday, November 19, 2023
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Address: Gershwin Performing Arts Center – Murrieta Mesa High School
24801 Monroe Ave, Murrieta, CA
Music SHE Wrote
Music of the Americas @ Park & Market
Music SHE Wrote™
Saturday, November 18, 2023
7:30 - 9:00 PM PDT
Series and Individual Concert Tickets Available Now!
soprano, flute, violin, viola, double bass, piano
music by/for/about women
Celebrating the creativity of women composers, Music SHE Wrote™ is an ode to the power of artistic expression and a tribute to the indomitable spirit of female creators. Highlights include Libby Larsen’s Quartet She Wrote, dedicated to the harmonious celebration of female prowess, and Fanmi Imèn for flute and piano by Valerie Coleman, which weaves together a rich tapestry of emotions and cultures. Extraordinary soprano Tasha Koontz joins Camarada to perform works by Amy Beach and songs from the American Songbook. Composers Carlisle Floyd and Gabriela Lena Frank are also spotlighted in this celebration of music by, for, and about women.
Tasha Koontz, soprano
Beth Ross Buckley, flute
David Buckley, violin
Travis Maril, viola
Andrés Martín, double bass
Dana Burnett, piano
UC San Diego Park & Market
1100 Market Street, San Diego, CA 92101
Between Park & Market on 11th
6:30 PM Doors Open
7:00 PM Pre-Concert Interview
7:30 PM Concert Begins
Songs and a Scandal
Concert Details:
Tuesday, November 7, 2023 | 7:30pm
Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice Theater
Experience modern sonic storytelling with this dramatic ensemble composed of Artonic Quartet, made up of San Diego Symphony members, joined by soprano Tasha Koontz, featuring music by Caroline Shaw, John Adams, and San Diego's own Tommy Dougherty. Each piece on the program has its own tale to tell, including the world premiere of music from Dougherty's Schemes and Scandals of Fat Leonard, based on a true story of epic bribery and blackmail aimed at the U.S. Navy, and selections from Evergreen, the newest classical album from Pulitzer Prize winner Caroline Shaw where the singer improvises fresh melodies.
Concert program:
Phillip Glass: Quartet Satz
Caroline Shaw: And So and Other Song
Aleksey Igudesman: Applemania
Tommy Dougherty: The Handbag Aria: The Schemes and Scandals of "Fat Leonard"
Who was Fat Leonard?
In 2013, Malaysian military contractor Leonard Glenn Francis (known as “Fat Leonard”) was arrested in San Diego in an NCIS raid after years of maintaining control of the U.S. Navy’s massive Seventh Fleet. At his hands, the Navy—a pillar of the American understanding of honor— had fallen prey to unthinkable corruption and the largest military security breach since the Cold War. Schemes and Scandals unearths the unheard female voices buried in the rubble of the far-reaching but largely under-publicized scandal to ask what is left when “honor,” patriotism, and the men who cling to them crumble.
Del Mar International Composers Symposium- Opera Concert
Hear some gorgeous new music works by living composers in this special opera concert. Tasha Koontz will sing works by Polina Nazaykinskaya, Texu Kim, Joseph Sowa, and Jordan Kuspa. Head to www.delmarcomposers.org for ticket and other event info.
Chamber Music Concert with the Garth Newel Quartet
This lovely afternoon concert will feature soprano, Tasha Koontz, along with the Garth Newel Piano Quartet at the intimate Garth Newel Music Center in Warm Springs, Virginia. This concert will feature a beautiful work by Jordan Kuspa entitled Fire Flowers among other pieces performed by the quartet. Click here for tick information.
World Premiere: Her New Home
Join Tasha Koontz as she sings in the world premiere of a two person chamber opera written by composer, Polina Nazaykinskaya, and librettist, Konstantin Soukhovetski. Ms. Koontz will be joined by baritone, Brandon Morales for this new work about Garth Newel Center founders: Christine Herter Kendall and William Sargeant Kendall. This piece is written for the Garth Newel Piano Quartet and will take place at the Garth Newel Music Center in Warm Springs, Virginia. Click here for ticket information.
Beethoven's Ninth Symphony
Soprano Tasha Hokuao Koontz returns to Mainly Mozart to sing Beethoven’s iconic Ninth Symphony at the UCSD Epstein Family Amphitheater. Click here for more information.
Poulenc Gloria and Rachmaninoff Vocalise
Soloist • Helena Symphony
The 150th birthday celebration of Rachmaninoff opens with his reflective Vocalise, and the concert also features the spirited playfulness of Poulenc’s Gloria.
Brahms' Requiem
Soloist • La Jolla Symphony and Chorus
March 18, 2023 at 7:30pm • March 19, 2023 at 2:00pm
Brahms’s colossal Requiem may have been inspired by the death of his mother in 1864, a loss which caused him
profound grief. This large-scale work for orchestra, chorus, and soprano and baritone soloists is performed in German, a departure from the traditional Latin. Also on this program, we’ll feature the 2021 Nee Commission winner, Alex Stephenson. The program will open with Missy Mazzoli’s “minimalist” gymnopédie for small orchestra, Music for Orbiting Spheres.
Bach & Brahms
Soloist • CAMARADA
Born two hundred years apart, the shared passion of these superstar composers is celebrated in this concert featuring powerhouse soprano, Tasha Koontz.
Brahms’ youthful yet torrid Sonatensanz for violin and piano paired with the treasured F minor Concerto by J.S. Bach for keyboard and strings are featured solos. Dynamic soprano Tasha Koontz joins Camarada for a debut performance singing Brahms Op. 91 for voice, viola, and piano and one of the brilliant Italian cantatas by J.S. Bach, Non sa che sia Dolore. Bach’s lively Orchestral Suite #2 for flute and string ensemble frames this program with narration by Robert J. Hughes.
The Puccini Duo: Suor Angelica & Gianni Schicchi
Suor Genoviefa and Nella • San Diego Opera
Feb 11, 14 & 17, 2023 at 7:30 pm • Feb 19, 2023 at 2:00 pm
Suor Angelica tells the story of a woman (Marina Costa-Jackson) who bears a child out of wedlock and is sent to a convent for penance. After seven years, she is visited by her aunt, the Principessa, who brings tragic news of her son, which sets in motion a series of dire actions that ultimately result in tragedy, forgiveness, and peace.
The comic-opera Gianni Schicchi begins with the death of wealthy Florentine Buoso Donati, and his distraught family who are upset about being forgotten in his will. So they enlist the help of fixer Gianni Schicchi who helps turn the tables, but not in the way they expect. Considered a comic masterpiece, this is a dark satire based on a real story mentioned in Dante’s Inferno and includes the famous aria “O mio babbino caro.”
Fortissima Collective presents Sarah Tucker and Friends in Concert
Join us January 21st for a magical evening of opera with soprano Sarah Tucker! This special one night only event is not to be missed. Joining Sarah will be Fortissima Collective Founders Tasha Koontz and Sarah-Nicole Carter as well as San Diego treasure and pianist, Bryan Verhoye. The program includes arias, duets, and art songs and promises to be a very special evening of music making.
Messiah
Soloist
December 15, 2022 at 7pm • St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church, 6628 Santa Isabel St, Carlsbad, CA 92009
December 18, 2022 at 4pm • San Dieguito United Methodist Church, 170 Calle Magdalena, Encinitas, CA 92024
Festiva with Camarada
Acclaimed soprano Tasha Koontz joins Camarada for a magical afternoon of Holiday gems. Baroque treats and popular songs awaken the spirit of the Christmas season – from J.S. Bach to Jingle Bell Rock. With a repertoire of classics to modern, “Festiva” is sure to surprise and delight.
A highlight of this special performance is Ave Maria by J.S. Bach/Gounod. Music also by Johannes Brahms, Claude Bolling, John Clayton, Ralph Vaughan Williams, and Pietro Yon.
Concert Admission: $20 Advance; $25 after 12:00 PM on December 9.
Children 18 and under are free.
Click here for
Schubert Mass in G
Soloist • San Diego Festival Chorus
Celebrate the season with us as we present our Holiday Concert.
The progam opens with Schubert's Mass in G major. Written in 1815, this second mass followed on the success of Schubert's first mass. It was originally written for soloists, chorus, and string orchestra but Schubert later added brass and percussion parts as well. It is one of the most widely performed settings of the shorter "mass ordinary." Since Schubert is one of the most famous composers of classical lieder (solo songs), it is not surprising that this Mass features lovely melodies for both soloists and chorus contrasted with more formal choral sections.
Beethoven's Ninth Symphony
Opening weekend at McClaren Hall, Wachholz College Center in Kalispell
Saturday, 7:30pm / Sunday, 3:00pm
Mozart - Piano Concerto No. 17 in G major
Beethoven - Symphony No. 9 in D minor (Choral)
The immortal 9th symphony of Beethoven with the dramatic “Ode to Joy” choral finale featuring the orchestra, chorale and soloists. Pianist Andrew Staupe will be soloist for the Mozart Piano Concerto No. 17 in G Major.
Please note the change in soloists as Tasha Koontz steps in for previously scheduled soprano, Serena Benedetti.
Glacier Symphony and Chorale
Andrew Staupe, piano
Tasha Koontz, soprano; Natalie Rose Havens, alto
Alex Boyer, tenor; Kyle Oliver; bass baritone
John Zoltek, conductor
Click here for tickets and event info
Considering Matthew Shepard
Soloist • University of San Diego
The USD Choral Scholars and SDSU Chamber Singers present Craig Hella Johnson's moving suite, Considering Matthew Shepard for choir, strings, and percussion in the beautiful auditorium of Hoover High School. Additional guest musicians from across San Diego.