San Francisco Opera Premieres New Production of Manon
The San Francisco Opera has officially launched its latest run of the classic 1884 opera Manon.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Opera
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The San Francisco Opera has premiered a new production of Jules Massenet's classic opera Manon at the War Memorial Opera House. This staging marks a return for the production, which was first presented in the city in 2017.
Why it matters
This production showcases a major revival of Massenet's work featuring a high-profile cast and a unique visual design. It continues the company's commitment to bringing established repertoire to the stage with contemporary artistic direction.
The production spans a duration of 3 1/2 hours across seven scheduled performances. It follows the initial San Francisco staging of this specific production in 2017.
The players
Pene Pati
The tenor stars in the production as Chevalier des Grieux.
Amina Edris
The soprano performs the title role of Manon.
Vincent Boussard
He is the director responsible for this staging of the opera.
Vitor Bispo
The baritone makes his American debut in this production playing the role of Lescaut.
San Francisco Opera
This is the city's premier performing arts organization that is staging the production at the War Memorial Opera House.
The details
Directed by Vincent Boussard, the production utilizes a visually distinct set design featuring a diagonally angled back panel and a mirrored floor. Lighting designer Gary Marder enhances the atmosphere through the strategic use of large shadows throughout the performance.
Timeline
1884 is the year the opera Manon was originally composed.
2017 was the year this production was first staged in San Francisco.
October 15, 2026 was the opening night of the current performance run.
Industry Dynamics
This revival of the 2017 San Francisco Opera production of Manon highlights how major companies leverage successful past stagings to optimize production costs and artistic continuity. It reflects a broader trend of repertory companies rotating established high-production-value works to anchor their seasonal programming.
Tickets for the seven scheduled performances are available for purchase, though audiences should prepare for a significant 3 1/2 hour runtime. Patrons are encouraged to check the War Memorial Opera House box office for availability during this limited engagement.
The takeaway
Opera lovers can expect a highly visual experience centered on the unique mirror and shadow design elements of this specific production. Attendees should plan for a long evening at the theater given the performance duration.
Further reading
For more on the latest local productions, visit the San Francisco Opera page.
Live Poll
Do you prefer classic operas to keep traditional staging rather than using abstract or modern designs?
