A FINALE WITH A BRIGHT FUTURE

Merola’s newest generation of opera artists brings
plenty of promise to the War Memorial Opera House

Abigail Raiford and Theo Harrah

The Merola Opera Program’s 2026 Summer Festival came to a celebratory close with its annual Merola Grand Finale at the War Memorial Opera House. Conducted by William Long and directed with aplomb by Claire Choquette, the concert culminated the Merola Opera Program’s intensive summer training program for gifted young artists from around the world. Selected from more than 1,500 international applicants, this year’s 28 participants represented some of the most promising future stars of the opera world. From basses to sopranos, the full range of operatic voices was showcased.

John Mburu, Anna Thompson, and Chester Seungyup Han

The artists performed classic operatic works in French, Italian, German and English, as well as classic Broadway and Hollywood musical numbers. The evening felt like a “Greatest Hits” offering, with plenty of opportunities to pick a favorite. These handsome young performers—the women in beautiful sparkling gowns and the men in classic black tie—were a vision to see. Their voices, whether performing arias, duets or ensemble pieces, dazzled. With 28 talented Merola artists onstage, it was difficult to single people out.

Katherine Dobbs and Raúl Morales Velazco

The evening started with soprano Abigail Raiford and bass Theo Harrah thrilling the audience with Mozart’s hilarious duet “Ich gehe, doch rate ich dir” from Die Entführung aus dem Serail. Their acting and physical comedy were as entertaining as their singing. Mezzo-soprano Katherine Dobbs was delightful in her duet with bass Raúl Morales Velazco in “Quel casinetto è mio…Là ci darem la mano” from Mozart’s Don Giovanni. She also soared in her solo performance of “Vilja-Lied” from Die lustige Witwe. Soprano Anna Thompson charmed as Nedda in Pagliacci.

Emilie Kealani and Logan Wagner

My personal favorite was tenor Logan Wagner singing “On the Street Where You Live” from My Fair Lady. One of the evening’s highlights was the final number, “The World Is Mine Tonight” from The Gay Desperado, featuring tenor Ryan Bryce Johnson and the entire ensemble of 2026 Merola artists.

The 2026 Merola Opera Program artists

The Merola Grand Finale is always an enticing glimpse at opera’s next generation, and this year’s class offered plenty of reasons to be optimistic. We may not know yet which of these 28 young artists will become tomorrow’s stars, but after an evening like this, it will be great fun finding out.

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photos by Kristen Loken

Merola Grand Finale
Merola Opera Program
War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Avenue in San Francisco
performed August 15, 2026
for future shows, visit Merola Opera Program

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