The much-anticipated Doctor Atomic, about the creation of the atomic bomb, is the third historical opera by Adams, the composer of The Death of Klinghoffer, about the hijacking of the Achille Lauro, and Nixon in China. Directed and with a libretto by Peter Sellars, Atomic stars Gerald Finley as Robert Oppenheimer and Lorraine Hunt Lieberson as Kitty Oppenheimer.
The new production of La forza del destino is directed by Ron Daniels, a theatrical director who has worked frequently with San Francisco's American Repertory Theatre. It stars Andrea Gruber, making her SFO debut, and Sergej Larin.
The company is performing two operas for the first time: Handel's Rodelinda, in a production that originated at Bavarian State Opera, and Tchaikovsky's The Maid of Orleans, in a production from Teatro Regio Torino.
The season also includes revivals of Beethoven's Fidelio, The Marriage of Figaro, and Madama Butterfly, as well as newly imported productions of Bellini's Norma and Rossini's The Italian Girl in Algiers.
Among the singers engaged for the season are Olga Borordina, who alternates with Vivica Genaux in The Italian Girl in Algiers; Christine Brewer, who stars in Fidelio; Dolora Zajick, who plays the title role in The Maid of Orleans opposite Rodney Gilfrey; and Patricia Racette, singing Cio-Cio-San in Madama Butterfly.