Contact: Nancy Bertossa
(415) 677-0328 or nancy@sfperformances.org
sfperformances.org

San Francisco Performances 2021–22 Season

Subscription Ticket Information: (On Sale June 28, 2021) SF Performances Ticket Office (415) 677-0325
Single Ticket Information: (On Sale September 13, 2021): (415) 392-2545
Press Information: Nancy Bertossa 415-677-0328, nancy@sfperformances.org Website: https://sfperformances.org
Press Room: https://sfperformances.org/media/media.html

Venues

Herbst Theatre: 401 Van Ness Avenue (at McAllister), San Francisco
Taube Atrium Theater: 401 Van Ness Avenue (at McAllister), 4th Floor, San Francisco
Education Studio: 401 Van Ness Avenue (at McAllister), 4th Floor, San Francisco
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church: St. Mark’s Square at 1111 O’Farrell Street (at Franklin Street), San Francisco

2021–22 Season Calendar

All dates, times, artists and programs are subject to change.

October 2021

The Catalyst Quartet with Stewart Goodyear, piano
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2021, 7:30PM
Herbst Theatre | $65/$55/$45

PROGRAM:
GEORGE WALKER, SAMUEL COLERIDGE TAYLOR

The Grammy Award-winning Catalyst Quartet has a bold and compelling mission: “We believe in the unity that can be achieved through music and imagine our programs and project with this in mind.” The Quartet has chosen to team up with guest artists in four programs throughout the season to explore music from composers who have been overlooked due to their race or gender. The first event with pianist Stewart Goodyear will present works by George Walker and Samuel Coleridge Taylor.

PIVOT Festival
Theo Bleckmann, singer/composer
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2021, 7:30PM
Herbst Theatre | $65/$55/$45

PROGRAM:
Elegy

Vocal chameleon Theo Bleckmann has successfully balanced genres and styles from classical to jazz, inventing his own distinct voice along the way. His project Elegy (also his debut album) showcases him as a composer as much as a singer. Although its underlying concept may be dark, Bleckmann and his trio of musicians deliver an achingly poetic program.

PIVOT Festival
Brooklyn Rider with Nicholas Phan, tenor
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2021, 7:30PM
Herbst Theatre | $65/$55/$45

PROGRAM:
NICO MUHLY: Stranger

Brooklyn Rider and tenor Nicholas Phan perform the West Coast Premiere of Nico Muhly’s Stranger, a reflection on the American immigrant experience from four different perspectives. The piece received its World Premiere at the Kimmel Center, Philadelphia in 2020 with its current cast.

PIVOT Festival
Post:ballet and The Living Earth Show
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021, 7:30PM
Taube Atrium Theater | $65

PROGRAM:
Lyra

SFP presents the Bay Area artists Post:ballet and The Living Earth Show in the World Premiere of Lyra. This take on the age-old story of Orpheus and Eurydice features music by Samuel Adams, choreography by Vanessa Thiessen, and the cinematography of Benjamin Tarquin, and is a highly collaborative synthesis of dance, projected film, live music, and new spatial sound technology. The piece will have two performances (Oct 22 & Oct 24) and will be performed in the Taube Atrium Theater.

PIVOT Festival
Jennifer Koh, violin
Missy Mazzoli, composer-pianist
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2021, 7:30PM
Herbst Theatre | $65/$55/$45

PROGRAM:
All MAZZOLI

Violinist Jennifer Koh and composer-pianist Missy Mazzoli partner in an all-Mazzoli evening of music. NPR has referred to Mazzoli as “the 21st Century’s gatecrasher of new classical music.”

PIVOT Festival
Post:ballet and The Living Earth Show
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2021, 5:00PM
Taube Atrium Theater | $65

PROGRAM:
Lyra

Jan Lisiecki, piano
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2021, 7:30PM
Herbst Theatre | $70/$55/$45

PROGRAM:
All CHOPIN: “Night Music”

At 18 Jan Lisiecki became the youngest performer to receive Gramophone’s Young Artist Award. Still in his mid-20s the Canadian pianist brings Chopin’s “Night Music” for this SFP performance.

November/December 2021

Dover Quartet with
Davóne Tines, bass-baritone
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2021, 7:30PM
Herbst Theatre | $70/$55/$45

PROGRAM:
ZEMLINSKY, BARBER, CAROLINE SHAW, BRAHMS

The American Dover Quartet with its youthful vitality and fresh sound team up with bass-baritone Davóne Tines, known for his ability to bring together opera, spirituals, gospel and anthems—in a wide-ranging program of Zemlinsky, Barber, Caroline Shaw, and Brahms.

The Catalyst Quartet with
Anthony McGill, clarinet
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2021, 7:30PM
Herbst Theatre | $65/$55/$45

PROGRAM:
COLERIDGE-TAYLOR PERKINSON, FLORENCE PRICE, SAMUEL COLERIDGE TAYLOR

The Catalyst Quartet has chosen to team up with guest artists in four programs throughout the season to explore music from composers who have been overlooked due to their race or gender. This second performances with clarinetist Anthony McGill in his SFP debut, presents works by Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson, Florence Price, and Samuel Coleridge Taylor.

Castalian Quartet
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2021, 7:30PM
Herbst Theatre | $70/$55/$45

PROGRAM:
MENDELSSOHN, LIGETI, SIBELIUS
Presented in association with OMNI Foundation for the Performing Arts

The Castalian Quartet was named the 2019 Young Artist of the Year by the Royal Philharmonic Society. The ensemble makes its SFP debut performing pieces by Mendelssohn, Ligeti, and Sibelius.

Jonathan Biss, piano
SSATURDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2021, 7:30PM
Herbst Theatre | $85/$70/$50

PROGRAM:
SCHUBERT, JANÁČEK, KURTAG, and SCHUMANN

Long-time favorite Jonathan Biss, combines lush playing with a compelling knack for creating engaging programs. This season he plays Schubert, Janáĉek, Kurtag, and Schumann.

January 2022

Golda Schultz, soprano
FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 2022, 7:30PM
Herbst Theatre | $70/$55/$45
Alex Redington, violin
Ying Xue, violin
Hélène Clément, viola
John Myerscough, cello

PROGRAM:
CLARA SCHUMANN, EMILIE MAYER, LIBBY LARSEN, NADIA BOULANGER, KATHLEEN TAGG

The South African soprano Golda Schultz makes her SFP recital debut after singing the role of Clara the Angel in Jake Heggie’s It’s a Wonderful Life at SF Opera. Noted by The Financial Times that “she is a newcomer who simply has everything,” Schultz will perform a program by all women composers.

Saturday Mornings
Alexander String Quartet with Robert Greenberg, Music Historian-In-Residence
SATURDAY AT 10AM: JANUARY 22, 2022
Herbst Theatre | $65/$55/$45

PROGRAM:
DVOŘÁK

The beloved Alexander String Quartet and Robert Greenberg welcome an accomplished new violist, David Samuel to the Quartet and to Saturday Mornings. This first of six 10:00am concerts combine complete performances with commentary by SFP Music Historian-In-Residence Robert Greenberg on the composers and their lives, times, and music. In 2022 the group will explore the chamber music of Antonin Dvořák.

Saturday Mornings
Alexander String Quartet with Robert Greenberg, Music Historian-In-Residence
SATURDAY AT 10AM: JANUARY 29, 2022
Herbst Theatre | $65/$55/$45

PROGRAM:
DVOŘÁK

The beloved Alexander String Quartet and Robert Greenberg welcome an accomplished new violist, David Samuel to the Quartet and to Saturday Mornings. This second of six 10:00am concerts combine complete performances with commentary by SFP Music Historian-In-Residence Robert Greenberg on the composers and their lives, times, and music. In 2022 the group will explore the chamber music of Antonin Dvořák.

Steven Isserlis, cello
Connie Shih, piano
SATURDAY, JANUARY 29, 2022, 7:30PM
Herbst Theatre | $70/$55/$45

PROGRAM:
KABALEVSKY, SHOSTAKOVICH, RACHMANINOFF

One of music’s most popular and prodigious artists, cellist Steven Isserlis returns to Herbst Theatre with pianist Connie Shih in a program of Kabalevsky, Shostokovich, and Rachmaninoff.

Andrew Tyson, piano
SUNDAY, JANUARY 30, 2022, 7:00PM
Herbst Theatre | $70/$55/$45

PROGRAM:
CHAMINADE, MESSIAEN, CHOPIN, POULENC, LISZT

Andrew Tyson’s individualistic performance style led Gramophone to compare him favorably to Roald Dahl’s character Willy Wonka. The whimsical Tyson brings a French program of tour-de-force works to his SFP recital debut.

February 2022

Dashon Burton, bass-baritone
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2022, 7:30PM
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church | $60/$45

PROGRAM:
“Lullabies” with works by SCHUMANN, DOWLAND, BACH, PRICE, VAUGHN WILLIANS

Bass-baritone Dashon Burton brings a program called “Lullabies” to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church with works by Schumann, Dowland, Bach, Price, Vaughan Williams, and others.

The Catalyst Quartet with
Dashon Burton, bass-baritone
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2022, 7:30PM
Herbst Theatre | $65/$55/$45

PROGRAM:
JOSEPH BOLOGNE LE CHEVALIER DE ST. GEORGES, WILLIAM GRANT STILL, FLORENCE PRICE

This third of four Catalyst Quartet performances is with bass-baritone Dashon Burton of the popular group Roomful of Teeth performing a selection of pieces from various composers. Burton will also hold a pre-curtain commentary before the performance.

Dublin Guitar Quartet
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2022, 7:30PM
Herbst Theatre | $65/$55/$45

PROGRAM:
BRYCE DESSNER, GLASS, WOJCIECH KILAR, WILLIAM KANENGISER, RACHEL GRIMES, LEGETI, MARC MELLITS

The Dublin Guitar Quartet is a rare guitar ensemble devoted to contemporary music. This quartet has compiled an impressive repertory of new work and original arrangements. For their SFP debut they will perform works by Bryce Dessner, Glass, Willian Kanengiser, Legeti, and others.

The program is presented in association with OMNI Foundation for the Performing Arts.

Johnny Gandelman, violin
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2022, 7:30PM
Herbst Theatre | $60/$45

PROGRAM:
J.S. BACH, CLARICE ASSAD, RHIANNON GIDDENS, TERRY RILEY, TYSHAWN SOREY, CONRAD TAO

Violinist Johnny Gandelsman pairs unaccompanied Sonatas and Partitas by J.S. Bach with newly commissioned works. The program also features composers Clarice Assad, Rhiannon Giddens, Terry Riley, Tyshawn Sorey, and Conrad Tao.

Saturday Mornings
Alexander String Quartet with Robert Greenberg, Music Historian-In-Residence
SATURDAY AT 10AM: FEBRUARY 19, 2022
Herbst Theatre | $65/$55/$45

PROGRAM:
DVOŘÁK

The beloved Alexander String Quartet and Robert Greenberg welcome an accomplished new violist, David Samuel to the Quartet and to Saturday Mornings. This third of six 10:00am concerts combine complete performances with commentary by SFP Music Historian-In-Residence Robert Greenberg on the composers and their lives, times, and music. In 2022 the group will explore the chamber music of Antonin Dvořák.

Matt Haimovitz, cello
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2022, 7:30PM
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church | $60/$45

PROGRAM:
J.S. BACH

Renowned as a musical pioneer, cellist Matt Haimovitz brings a solo program “Primavera”, in which he pairs unaccompanied Cello Suites by J.S. Bach with newer works that celebrate the return of Spring.

March 2021

Saturday Mornings
Alexander String Quartet with Robert Greenberg, Music Historian-In-Residence
SATURDAY AT 10AM: MARCH 5, 2022
Herbst Theatre | $65/$55/$45

PROGRAM:
DVOŘÁK

The beloved Alexander String Quartet and Robert Greenberg welcome an accomplished new violist, David Samuel to the Quartet and to Saturday Mornings. This fourth of six 10:00am concerts combine complete performances with commentary by SFP Music Historian-In-Residence Robert Greenberg on the composers and their lives, times, and music. In 2022 the group will explore the chamber music of Antonin Dvořák.

Isata Kanneh-Mason, piano
MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2022, 7:30PM
Herbst Theatre | $70/$55/$45

PROGRAM:
MOZART, BEETHOVEN, GUBAIDULINA, E. ALBERGA, RACHMANINOFF, CHOPIN

British pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason’s recording debut of the works of Clara Schumann went to No. 1 on the UK Classical Charts in 2019. Her SFP recital debut is highly anticipated as she and her other musical siblings—including cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, are fast becoming Britain’s first family of classical music.

Brooklyn Rider with
Avi Avital, mandolin
MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2022, 7:30PM
Herbst Theatre | $65/$55/$45

PROGRAM:
LUIGI BOCCHERINI, GIOVANNI SOLLIMA, MATANA ROBERTS, BACH, GONZALO GRAU, OSVALDO GOLIJOV, LEV “LJOVA” ZHURBIN

The word “superstar” and “mandolinist” look odd next to each other but in the classical world they are starting to be joined frequently. Mandolinist Avi Avital joins the adventurous Brooklyn Rider to perform two World Premieres for mandolin and string quartet by Gonzalo Grau and Osvaldo Golijov, plus others works.

Saturday Mornings
Alexander String Quartet with Robert Greenberg, Music Historian-In-Residence
SATURDAY AT 10AM: MARCH 12, 2022
Herbst Theatre | $65/$55/$45

PROGRAM:
DVOŘÁK

The beloved Alexander String Quartet and Robert Greenberg welcome an accomplished new violist, David Samuel to the Quartet and to Saturday Mornings. This fifth of six 10:00am concerts combine complete performances with commentary by SFP Music Historian-In-Residence Robert Greenberg on the composers and their lives, times, and music. In 2022 the group will explore the chamber music of Antonin Dvořák.

Mark Padmore, tenor
Ethan Iverson, piano
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2022, 7:30PM
Herbst Theatre | $70/$55/$45

PROGRAM:
Songs of the Earth: SCHUBERT, BARBER

Tenor Mark Padmore and The Bad Plus founding member, composer-pianist Ethan Iverson team up to perform the program Songs of the Earth, with works by Schubert, Barber, and others.

Takács Quartet with
Julian Labro, accordion and bandoneon
THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2022, 7:30PM
Herbst Theatre | $70/$55/$45

PROGRAM:
BRYCE DESSNER, CLARICE ASSAD and others

Takács Quartet returns to SFP with accordion and bandoneon player Julien Labro for an evening of new works by Bryce Dessner and a SFP commissioned World Premiere by Clarice Assad.

Pavel Haas Quartet
FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2022, 7:30PM
Herbst Theatre | $70/$55/$45

PROGRAM:
PROGRAM:
HAYDN, MARTINŮ, SCHUBERT

The impeccable Pavel Haas Quartet returns to SFP on the eve of its 20th year as one of the world’s leading chamber groups. The ensemble has chosen works by Haydn, Martinů, and Schubert.

George Hinchliffe’s Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain
THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2022, 7:30PM
Herbst Theatre | $75/$60/$45

The humbly compelling and beloved instrument, the ukulele, gains virtuoso freedom with the Bay Area debut of the George Hinchliffe’s Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain. At the hands of this special orchestra, the ever-present relevance of popular music meets the lofty sounds of “highbrow” fare in a delicious acoustic mash-up of programming.

The program is presented in association with OMNI Foundation for the Performing Arts.

Laura Snowden, guitar
SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 2022, 7:30PM
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church | $60/$45

PROGRAM:
BROUWER, SNOWDEN

The Rolling Stones helped Laura Snowden get into England’s prestigious Menuhin School, where she was its first graduate in guitar. Her program at St. Mark’s will include music by Brouwer along with her own pieces.

The program is presented in association with OMNI Foundation for the Performing Arts.

April 2021

Ilker Arcayürek, tenor
Simon Lepper, piano
FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2022, 7:30PM
Herbst Theatre | $70/$55/$45

PROGRAM:
All SCHUBERT

This fast-rising tenor, Ilker Arcayürek performs an all-Schubert program, organizing a selection of the composer’s songs to illustrate life’s path.

David Russell, guitar
SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 2022, 7:30PM
Herbst Theatre | $65/$55/$45

There is no doubt why David Russell is invited back, season after season. His name is synonymous with sublime performance and riveting precision.

The program is presented in association with OMNI Foundation for the Performing Arts.

Ébène Quartet
TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022, 7:30PM
Herbst Theatre | $70/$55/$45

PROGRAM:
HAYDN, JANÁČEK and arrangements of jazz standards

The Ébène Quartet has made a name for themselves not only as an elegant purveyor of classical fare but also for jazz performances. Their program confirms their omnivore musical interests with work by Haydn, Janáĉek, and arrangements of jazz standards.

The Catalyst Quartet with
Michelle Cann, piano
THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2022, 7:30PM
Herbst Theatre | $65/$55/$45

PROGRAM:
All FLORENCE B. PRICE

The Quartet has chosen to team up with guest artists in four programs throughout the season to explore music from composers who have been overlooked due to their race or gender. This final performance is with pianist Michelle Cann who has become an acknowledged champion of the lush and complex works of Florence Price. Catalyst and Cann will perform an all-Price program.

The Romeros with
Isabel Leonard, mezzo-soprano
FRIDAY APRIL 8, 2022, 7:30PM
Herbst Theatre | $65/$55/$45

PROGRAM:
Music by FALLA, LORCA, VILLA LOBOS, RODRIGO and others.

Celin, Pepe, Celino and Lito Romero—members of the “Royal Family of the Guitar” celebrate an astonishing milestone. If you’ve heard and loved the guitar in your lifetime, chances are you have the prolific and peripatetic Romeros to thank for its enduring popularity. Their program features Spanish songs with versatile vocalist Isabel Leonard.

Matthias Goerne, baritone
Seong-Jin Cho, piano
SATURDAY APRIL 9, 2022, 7:30PM
Herbst Theatre | $85/$70/$50

PROGRAM:
WAGNER, STRAUSS

Baritone Matthias Goerne, a favorite of SFP audiences, and pianist Seong-Jin Cho a global star, have paired up for a surprising appearance together, performing works by Wagner, Strauss and others.

Sean Jones, trumpet with
Brinae Ali, tap dancer/vocalist/flutist
Zaccai Curtis, pianist
Boris Kozlov, bassist
Wendel Patrick, turntablist
Obed Calvaire, drummer
FRIDAY APRIL15, 2022, 7:30PM
Herbst Theatre | $65/$55/$45

PROGRAM:
Dizzy Spellz

Trumpeter Sean Jones returns to SFP this time with friends Brinae Ali (tap dancer/vocalist/flutist), Zaccai Curtis (piano), Boris Kozlov (bassist), Wendel Patrick (turntablist) and Obed Calvaire (drummer). The ensemble brings the program Dizzy Spellz; an exploration of the cultural and spiritual crossroads of the African diaspora telling the story of the life and music of Dizzy Gillepsie and the jazz it ultimately produced.

Saturday Mornings
Alexander String Quartet with Robert Greenberg, Music Historian-In-Residence
SATURDAY AT 10AM: MARCH 12, 2022
Herbst Theatre | $65/$55/$45

PROGRAM:
DVOŘÁK

The beloved Alexander String Quartet and Robert Greenberg welcome an accomplished new violist, David Samuel to the Quartet and to Saturday Mornings. This final of six 10:00am concerts combine complete performances with commentary by SFP Music Historian-In-Residence Robert Greenberg on the composers and their lives, times, and music. In 2022 the group will explore the chamber music of Antonin Dvořák.

May 2021

Jerusalem Quartet
THURSDAY MAY 5, 2022, 7:30PM
Herbst Theatre | $70/$55/$45

PROGRAM:
MENDELSSOHN, WEBERN, TCHAIKOVSKY

The Jerusalem Quartet’s SFP program delves into what makes a “Romantic” string quartet sound, contrasting works by Mendelssohn, Webern, and Tchaikovsky.

Emerson String Quartet
FRIDAY MAY 6, 2022, 7:30PM
Herbst Theatre | $85/$70/$50

PROGRAM:
BORODIN, WALTON, BARTÓK

The nine-time Grammy Award-winning Emerson String Quartet continues to make significant and lasting contributions to the world of chamber music. They bring a program of Borodin, Walton, and Bartók to the season.

Richard Goode, piano
SATURDAY MAY 7, 2022, 7:30PM
Herbst Theatre | $70/$55/$45

PROGRAM:
SCHUBERT, SCHUMANN, BARTÓK

Richard Goode is a pianist who other pianist flock to see. His return to SFP will include music by Schubert, Schumann, and Bartök.

Angelika Kirchschlager, mezzo-soprano
Julius Drake, piano
THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2022, 7:30PM
Herbst Theatre | $70/$55/$45

PROGRAM:
SCHUBERTWinterreise

Boasting dual national honors from the Austrian government and England’s Royal Academy of Music for her lifetime of contributions to vocal artistry, Angelika Kirchschlager is truly an international treasure.

About San Francisco Performances

San Francisco Performances has been a leader in the Bay Area cultural scene since our founding in 1979. With a strong curatorial vision and adventurous programming, we are the city’s premier presenter of intimate concerts and solo performances.

We have introduced hundreds of established and emerging classical music, jazz and dance artists to audiences, including Yo-Yo Ma, the Juilliard String Quartet, Philip Glass, Wendy Whelan, and the Paul Taylor Dance Company. We also champion a new generation, committed to building a contemporary and equitable repertoire. Performers like violinist Jennifer Koh, tenor Lawrence Brownlee and pianist/composer Vijay Iyer are moving their art into the present and future, making it accessible to younger audiences while converting many traditionalists to new possibilities. They represent the path forward.

Quality, intimacy and connection are the hallmarks of San Francisco Performances. We nurture unique relationships with today’s best artists to create an accessible, warm and engaging arts experience.

Through successful partnerships with artists, Bay Area schools and community organizations, SFP has also established one of the most recognized and respected performing arts education programs in the country. Anchored by the artist residency program that brings artists into classrooms and community workshops, the arts education projects help expose new audiences, young and old, to the great performers of our time. San Francisco Performances’ outreach promotes active engagement with the performing arts, deepening the experience while opening events to diverse audiences.

For selected high-resolution images of the 2020–21 season, please visit https://sfperformances.org/media/2122/selectphotos.html or contact Nancy Bertossa.

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