San Francisco Opera patrons gather at the Consulate General of Italy for an elegant pre-party ahead of the city’s celebrated Opera Ball.

On Wednesday, August 19, San Francisco Opera and San Francisco Opera Guild welcomed Opera Ball patrons and Host Committee members to the Consulate General of Italy in San Francisco for an elegant evening of cocktails, conversation, and cultural celebration.

Hosted by Consul General of Italy Massimo Carnelos and Opera Ball 2026 Co-Chairs Sydney S. Leung and Jennifer Walske, the intimate reception at the Consulate’s Broadway residence served as a gracious toast ahead of Opera Ball 2026, taking place September 12 at San Francisco City Hall.

The evening celebrated the enduring cultural connection between Italy and San Francisco Opera, with Consul General Carnelos reflecting on Italy’s rich artistic legacy and the origins of opera. His remarks underscored the longstanding relationship between the Consulate General of Italy and the Opera.

San Francisco Opera General Director Matthew Shilvock also addressed guests, offering a look ahead to the company’s upcoming season, including its highly anticipated production of Verdi’s Simon Boccanegra.

The gathering brought together a distinguished circle of patrons, cultural leaders, and supporters, including Jack Calhoun, President of San Francisco Opera; Courtney Labe, President of San Francisco Opera Guild; and Maryam Muduroglu, Past Opera Guild President and Host Committee member.

Special recognition was given to the evening’s Pre-Party sponsors—the Consulate General of Italy in San Francisco, Romana D. Bracco, and the Walske Foundation—for their generosity and support.

As a preview to the September celebration, the reception offered a more intimate expression of what makes Opera Ball such a significant fixture on San Francisco’s cultural calendar: a shared commitment to music, artistry, education, and philanthropy.

Opera Ball 2026 will benefit San Francisco Opera’s world-class productions as well as San Francisco Opera Guild’s music and arts education programs throughout the Bay Area. With its elegant Italian prelude at the Consulate, the season’s grand celebration is already poised to be one of San Francisco’s most anticipated cultural evenings.