Merola “L’Anima Napoletana”
For All Events
Carol Benet
The recital of the 2026 Merola Summer Festival, “L’Anima Napoletana”, was a joyous event with 13 Merolini participants presenting a three part program of enchanting solos and duets with piano accompaniment.
Taking place at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music Caroline H. Hume Concert Hall at 50 Oak Street, San Francisco, it was almost a sold-out event. This summer’s winners of the Merola Opera training program chose 28 talented singers, accompanists, coaches, conductors and directors out of 1500 applicants. It is a prized institution associated with the San Francisco Opera that has instruction not only in musical presentation but in the development of the artists in leadership, financial planning, mental and physical wellness, public relations and branding. The Merola is the only young artist program to provide support for five years after participation and offers aid for essential career development.
Thirteen artists from this summer’s program presented the music of southern Italy with themes for the three parts as little scenes. In part one soprano Stella FitzGerald and tenor Mcllquham tell their story of young love. The 7 songs sung in local dialect translated on screens above the stage have two accomplished accompanists, Deven Shah for 5 songs and Sakurako Jayne Abe for two.
The first two songs are familiar ballads, “Santa Lucia” by Teodoro Cottrau and “La Danza” by Rossini. All of the selections are from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Stage direction is by Claire Choquette who brings out all the drama of the situations calling on the vocal and acting ability of the singers which is of a very high level.
The second part with 7 solos and duets features tenor Logan Wagner and soprano Charlotte Kelso who sing of their love for each other with a tinge of jealousy at times. Kelso, a beautiful woman stays in her part throughout, even when she is only present and not singing during Wagner’s solos. Her accompanists Abe and Sakurako Jayne Abe and Eric Head provide sometimes fiery piano.
Charlotte Kelso Soprano
The third part has three singers in a love triangle where sometimes love is dying but new love arrives. Bass Theo Harrah and soprano Shannon Crowley are one couple with tenor Chester Seungyup Han the third member of the triangle who vies for her love. Accompanists here are Tony Stauffer and Yue Qi Zhang.
All singers and accompanists are already so professional and seasoned that one wonders what else can they learn from the summer program They have already performed in many operas. With the Merola winners you will see them on the stage soon many more times.
The program without intermission lasted one hour and 20 minutes. The last three events of the Summer Merola Festival are two operas, Peter Brook’s reinterpretation of Bizet’s “Carmen” July 9 and 11 and Richard Strauss’ “Ariadne auf Naxos July 30 and August 1. The Merola Grand Finale at Davies Symphony Hall featuring all participants is on August 15.
Tickets 415 864 3330 and more information merola.org.
