SF Opera Cancels Additional Performances as Musicians Strike Continues
San Francisco Opera has announced the cancellation of all performances through Sept. 20 as contract negotiations between the company and the musicians union continue.
Canceled dates include the Sept. 16 and Sept. 19 performances of Giuseppe Verdi’s Simon Boccanegra and the Sept. 20 performance of Thea Musgrave’s Mary, Queen of Scots.
In a statement, San Francisco Opera’s general director Matthew Shilvock expressed regret and thanked patrons for their patience.
“It is heartbreaking to have to cancel additional performances, but I remain very hopeful that we will get back to the stage soon. Both the Opera and the Orchestra are working hard to reach a deal, having spent two full days and evenings negotiating immediately following the strike. Everyone at the Opera is eager to get back to doing the thing we all love: producing sublime works of art for this incredible community,” Shilvock said.
As previously reported, the Opera’s Sept. 12 opening night performance of Simon Boccanegra was canceled just before curtain with an announcement from the stage at the War Memorial Opera House. The popular annual event Opera in the Park, to be held the following day, was also canceled.
Early this month, with no final contract agreement in place, San Francisco Opera rescheduled its annual gala from Sept. 12 at Nov. 12. Today’s cancellations indicate a similar preemptive safeguard.
Ticketholders for the cancelled performances may visit the SF Opera website to request a refund, exchange their tickets for an upcoming performance in the 2026–27 season or classify their ticket purchase as a donation to the Opera.