Past Events

Vocal Competition (April/May)

This is a chance to hear the winners of the vocal awards auditions perform at a spring themed venue. During April, the Guild holds a juried competition at San José State University, where a monetary award is given to the winners. Contestants must be full-time music majors (undergraduate or graduate) ages 28 or under, and be prepared to sing three arias in two different languages, The 2005 audition drew 11 contestants. This competition is open to the public and a reception follows.

Opera in the Park (Summer)

Opera in the Park is a free two-hour, outdoor afternoon concert held as part of the Town of Los Gatos’ Music in the Park Series featuring the current cast members of Opera San José. The concert is followed by an exclusive dining experience with the singers at a venue close by.

Fall Gala (September/October)

This event is usually a dinner party to celebrate the new opera season. Previous locations have included the La Rinconada Country Club, the Sainte Claire Hotel, the Silicon Valley Capital Club and the Los Altos Country Club.

Winter Party (January)

Typically a brunch at which the new Board members are introduced, the winter party may be a brunch followed by an opera-related film or a costume gala with dining and dancing.

David Gockley at Montalvo

Nearly a hundred opera enhthusiasts gathered at Villa Montalvo on March 17 to partake of another informative program sponsored by your San José Opera Guild. David Gockely, general director of the San Francisco Opera, was the featured attraction, ably interviewed by Barbara Day Turner.

The former Houston Grand Opera's general director, in response to Maestra Day Turner's questions, touched first on the differences between his former and present companies; then went on to his plans for the future of his new administration; his enthusiasm for the newly appointed musical director; some of his views regarding operatic productions, and some of the more significant differences between European and American opera history. Mr. Gockely's forthright replies continued with questions from the audience.

Thanks to the efforts of an expert committee co-chaired by Mary Riley and Olga Nespole, attendees were well prepared for the Day Turner - Gockely exchange by a lovely champagne brunch prepared by the staff of Papillon Restaurant. The event was generously sponsored by Mary Riley and her sister, Jane Taverner. Need we say, "You should have been there?"

Anniversary Party

SJOG celebrated its 6oth Anniversary at the Plumed Horse in Saratoga, on January 27, 2008, with a Sunday Champagne Brunch. Festivities started at 11:30am with a no-host bar and social time followed by a sit-down brunch and entertainment by the "Three Sopranos": Aurora Bardes (spinto soprano), Marcelle Dronkers (coloratura soprano) and Debra Lambert (mezzo soprano), accompanied by Henry Mollicone.