San Francisco Opera Announced 2028 Ring Cycle Casting
The company revealed key performers for its upcoming production of Wagner's epic four-part operatic cycle.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Opera
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San Francisco Opera has announced the principal cast for its 2028 presentation of Richard Wagner's Ring cycle. The four-part production will feature Tamara Wilson, Brian Mulligan, Simon O'Neill, and Falk Struckmann under the direction of Francesca Zambello and conductor Eun Sun Kim.
Why it matters
This production marks a major logistical undertaking as a co-production with Washington National Opera that involves three full cycles at the War Memorial Opera House. It represents a significant commitment to large-scale repertory by the company in the 2027-28 season.
The production includes three complete Ring cycles, each consisting of the four operas: Das Rheingold, Die Walküre, Siegfried, and Götterdämmerung. Early ticket access is available for those with a minimum donation of $150.
The players
Eun Sun Kim
She serves as the music director for the San Francisco Opera.
Francesca Zambello
She is the director of the production and holds a prominent career in international opera directing.
Tamara Wilson
She is a soprano who will perform the role of Brünnhilde.
Brian Mulligan
He is an operatic baritone cast in the role of Wotan.
Simon O'Neill
He is a heldentenor who will perform the role of Siegfried.
The details
The Ring cycle production features international stars alongside current San Francisco Opera Adler Fellows. The company plans to present the performances at the War Memorial Opera House as part of a collaborative effort with Washington National Opera.
Timeline
October 13, 2026: Ring cycle tickets go on sale for specific groups.
Early 2027: The company 2027-28 season details will be announced.
May/June 2027: Non-cycle performances of Das Rheingold occur.
July 2027: General public ticket sales for the Ring cycles begin.
June 13-July 2, 2028: Performance dates for the three Ring cycles.
Industry Dynamics
The staging of the Ring cycle follows the tradition of mounting this massive four-part operatic work, which serves as a benchmark for the scale and ambition of major opera companies. This production aligns with a broader industry trend of co-producing large-scale repertoire to share massive staging costs between major houses.
Patrons can gain early access to tickets starting October 13, 2026, provided they meet the minimum donation threshold of $150. Members of the general public will be able to purchase tickets for the 2028 performances beginning in July 2027.
The takeaway
The announcement allows serious opera patrons to plan their attendance years in advance for this complex, multi-week event. Interested attendees should monitor the official season announcement in early 2027 for complete scheduling details.
What happens next
General public ticket sales for the Ring cycle are scheduled to begin in July 2027.
Further reading
Explore upcoming productions and the history of the company on the San Francisco Opera page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Broadway World.
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