Critics Pick

San Francisco Symphony: Project San Francisco / John Adams conducts El Niño

San Francisco Symphony

These performances are part of Project San Francisco, an innovative composer and artist residency program.

The Symphony launches this season’s Project San Francisco with a bona fide modern classic as John Adams, one of the preeminent composers of our time, conducts his celebrated stage work El Niño. Described by the composer as a “Nativity oratorio,” this captivating retelling of the Christmas story draws from English, Spanish, and Latin texts ranging from the King James Bible to the twentieth-century Mexican poet Rosario Castellanos. The all-star cast of singers features Dawn Upshaw, one of El Niño’s original interpreters.

Soprano Dawn Upshaw will perform December 2 and 4; Jessica Rivera will perform December 3.

Inside Music, an informative talk free to ticketholders, begins one hour prior to concerts.

Off the Podium, an informal Q&A with Dawn Upshaw, Michelle DeYoung, and Jonathan Lemalu, begins immediately after the December 2 performance.

Side and Center Terrace seats not available.

Conductor/Performers

John Adams
conductor

Jessica Rivera
soprano

Dawn Upshaw
soprano

Michelle DeYoung
mezzo-soprano

Daniel Bubeck
countertenor

Brian Cummings
countertenor

Steven Rickards
countertenor