Golden Gate Opera‘s mission is to enrich the lives of everyone in the community with professional, cutting-edge performances that fully engage and inspire people of all ages, cultural and economic backgrounds. Whether drama or comedy, Golden Gate Opera’s performances combine all art forms – vocal and instrumental music, theater, drama, visual arts, and even dance – to tell powerful stories and convey empowering messages to adults and children alike. Through the celebration of the unamplified human voice, Golden Gate Opera brings art to life; stimulates the senses and expands the intellect through its high quality performances and educational programs.

Our purpose is to put Marin County on the “Opera map” at a level of the same high standards of Opera America.  And then do something more. Transform lives by making opera accessible to all – expanding and enriching the lives, imaginations and sensibilities of everyone in the community with stellar talent, the beauty and majesty of full-scale operatic performances and Opera in Unusual Places.

Golden Gate Opera started out started out small; performing in the 300-seat California Palace of the Legion of Honor’s Florence Gould Theatre in San Francisco from 1997-2004. Then, in 2005, GGO launched the first resident opera production Marin County had seen in 20 years – debuting in the 2,000-seat Marin Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium – with a full orchestra in the pit. The curtain went up, and the audience gasped in amazement.

Since that time, Golden Gate Opera has thrilled audiences with its theater performances of: Madama Butterfly, Carmen, Gianni Schicchi, Suor Angelica,  Cavalleria Rusticana, I Pagliacci, Hansel & Gretel,  The Telephone, Der Apotheker, Die Walkure, Un ballo in Maschera, Il Trovatore, “Opera’s Greatist Hits” Gala, Opera Café and more.  It has wowed patrons with Outdoor Galas and intimate Aria Parties where Golden Gate Opera singers perform up-close and personal in the comfortable setting of private homes throughout Marin County.  GGO has gone into the community to open minds and transform lives by sharing the joys of opera in one-of-a-kind performances designed especially for children.