OPERA’S FUTURE UNVEILED:
A DAZZLING GRAND FINALE

The San Francisco Opera capped its summer season with the annual Merola Grand Finale, a glittering showcase of the next generation of opera stars. Since 1957, the Merola Opera Program has provided intensive training to gifted young artists from around the world, with alumni such as Joyce DiDonato, Deborah Voigt, and Rolando Villazón proving just how far these young artists, aka Merolini, can rise.

(top) Mezzo-soprano Sadie Cheslak, mezzo-soprano Meg Brilleslyper,
soprano Alexa Frankian, and soprano Chea Kang

(front) Mezzo-soprano Meg Brilleslyper, soprano Sofia Gotch, (back) soprano Chea Kang

Under the assured baton of Kelly Kuo and stage direction by San Francisco native Elio Bucky, also a Merola ’25 class member, 19 vocalists filled the War Memorial Opera House with music spanning centuries, languages, and genres. From basses to sopranos—and even the 5 pianists who shaped the evening’s pacing—the breadth of talent was astonishing. Alongside the classics of Verdi, Handel, and Puccini came surprises: a Broadway duet, a rare Offenbach, and for the evening’s final sendoff, a glowing “Golden Days” from Romberg’s The Student Prince.

Soprano Eva Rae Martinez and baritone Gabriel Natal Báez

Bass John Mburu, mezzo-soprano Ariana Maubach,
tenor Tristan Tournaud, mezzo-soprano Sadie Cheslak

With so many remarkable voices, it would be impossible to spotlight everyone; still, a few stood out in particular moments. Mezzo-soprano Meg Brilleslyper’s mellifluous turn as Offenbach’s Grande-Duchesse was deliciously rich. Bass-baritone Justice Yates displayed crisp clarity and easy command, especially in tandem with soprano Charlotte Siegel, their Ragtime duet proving a highlight.

Soprano Chea Kang

Baritone Joeavian Rivera, mezzo-soprano Ariana Maubach, tenor Minghao Liu,
bass-baritone Wanchun Liang and bass-baritone Justice Yates
perform a scene from Rossini’s Il barbiere di Siviglia.

Mezzo Sadie Cheslak plumbed emotional depths in both Verdi’s Falstaff and Handel’s Giulio Cesare. All three Donizetti pieces (the most from a single composer) were wonderful—especially baritone Gabriel Natal Báez and soprano Eva Rae Martinez in a Lucia di Lammermoor duet, while soprano Ariane Cossette and tenor Jin Yu evoked aching romance, transporting us to the Verona of Roméo et Juliette. And bass-baritone Wanchun Liang nearly stole the night with a sly, uproarious Gianni Schicchi.

Wanchun Liang

Soprano Charlotte Siegel, bass-baritone Justice Yates perform "Wheels of a Dream" from Ragtime

The sight of these young artists—women in sparkling gowns, men in black tie—was as impressive as the sound. Their combined energy was both a promise and a reminder: opera’s future is alive and thrilling.

Soprano Charlotte Siegel

In an era when arts funding faces constant threats, the Merola Opera Program feels more essential than ever. This Grand Finale not only dazzled as a concert, it served as a glimpse of tomorrow’s great performers before their careers soar. Here’s to the future of opera—and to the Merolini who will carry it forward.

Soprano Ariane Cossette and tenor Jin Yu

photos by Kristen Loken

Merola Grand Finale
Merola Opera Program 2025 Summer Festival
War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco
reviewed on Saturday, August 16, 2025
for more info, visit Merola

the other artists are :
Brian Cho, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada (Pianist/Coach)
Ruby Dibble, Kansas City, Missouri (Mezzo-Soprano)
Benjamin Dickerson, Milton, Vermont (Baritone)
Alexa Frankian, Oakville, Ontario, Canada (Soprano)
Sofia Gotch, Oakland, California (Soprano)
Chea Kang, Deokso, South Korea (Soprano)
Minghao Liu, Qingdao, Shandong, China (Tenor)
Ariana Maubach, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (Mezzo-Soprano)
John Mburu, Warwick, Rhode Island (Bass)
Brian McCann, Freehold, New Jersey (Pianist/Coach)
Joeavian Rivera, Orlando, Florida (Baritone)
Deven Shah, Erie, Pennsylvania (Pianist/Coach)
Tzu Kuang Tan, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Pianist/Coach)
Tristan Tournaud, Nashville, Tennessee (Tenor)
Anna Maria Vacca, Providence, Rhode Island (Mezzo-Soprano)
Dain Yule Yoon, Seoul, South Korea (Pianist/Coach)