Canadian baritone Joshua Hopkins takes us to San Francisco, California, where he is singing the role of Figaro in Rossini‘s The Barber of Seville at San Francisco Opera until June 20th (tickets and info).
Joshua is a Juno award-winning and Grammy nominated artist. This season he performed on opera and concert stages across the US and Europe, including The Metropolitan Opera, Semperoper Dresden, Cincinnati Symphony, Kansas City Symphony, George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony and Colorado Symphony.
While in San Francisco, Joshua shares his favourite bars and restaurants, the most peaceful park and where to find the best chocolate almond croissant. Read on to find out more.
City where you’re working?
San Francisco.
How long are you working on contract?
Two months.
What’s the opera house like?
The War Memorial Opera House is a luxurious, grand, 3,006-seat auditorium that opened in 1932 and is one of the last Beaux-Arts structures built in the US. It was designed by Arthur Brown Jr., the prominent American architect who also created San Francisco City Hall; the opera and ballet are its resident companies.
Where is the most peaceful place in the city?
Sitting on a park bench under shady Eucalyptus trees atop breezy Buena Vista Park in the Haight-Ashbury neighbourhood. As its name describes, this park on a steep hill has incredible views of San Francisco in all directions.
Best coffee or tea?
The Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park.
Coolest bar or restaurant you’ve been to?
Smuggler’s Cove is my Tiki rum bar hideout, just steps away from the opera house. I even became a Rumbustion Society Disciple!
An activity you have done that is unique to the area?
I cycled the entire perimeter of massive Golden Gate Park a few times, starting in the Panhandle on the east side all the way to Ocean Beach on the Pacific coast and back. On the same day, it can be blue skies on the east end of the park and completely fogged in on the west end!
Is there something unexpected that happens locally that you discovered?
I was here during the infamous Bay to Breakers yearly fun run, which started all the way back in 1912 and remains a wild time in the city. It’s more like a 12K running “festival,” where 30,000+ participants dress up in costumes (or dress down in their birthday suits) and make their way from The Embarcadero all the way to Ocean Beach.
How did you find accommodation?
I used the Airbnb platform this time, but I normally prefer booking directly with owners; Airbnb service fees can be exorbitant.
What’s the most important thing when finding accommodation as a singer?
LOCATION is at the top of my checklist. I travel with my wife throughout the year, so we look for one-bedroom apartments that are preferably within walking distance to the opera house, are climate-controlled and have modern facilities.
Have you had a chance to explore galleries or museums?
Yes! The de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park currently has an engaging Monet in Venice exhibit.
Is there anything else you’d recommend?
There is no end of beauty in this hilly city, from the vibrantly painted Victorian/Edwardian homes to the luscious gardens and parks – pick a neighbourhood, engage your glute muscles and wander! For the most decadent chocolate almond croissant, head to one of Arsicault Bakery’s three locations. Another favourite cocktail bar is ABV, which is located in the Mission District; they serve high-quality, unique cocktails and excellent food.
LEARN MORE ABOUT JOSHUA HOPKINS
VISIT HIS WEBSITE
© Joshua Hopkins
In costume in the Memorial Courtyard, with the dome of City Hall behind and the War Memorial Opera House on the right.
© Joshua Hopkins
At Redwood Grove in the San Francisco Botanical Garden.
© Joshua Hopkins
The Japanese Tea Garden
© Joshua Hopkins
In front of the War Memorial Opera House
The Barber of Seville
San Francisco Opera
May 28 – June 21
FIGARO: Joshua Hopkins/Justin Austin
ROSINA: Maria Kataeva/Hongni Wu
COUNT ALMAVIVA: Levy Sekgapane/Jack Swanson
DOCTOR BARTOLO: Renato Girolami/Patrick Carfizzi
DON BASILIO: Ricardo Fassi
BERTA: Catherine Cook
FIORELLO: Olivier Zerouali
CONDUCTOR: Benjamin Manis
DIRECTOR: Emilio Sagi
SET DESIGNER: Llorenç Corbella
COSTUNE DESIGNER: Pepa Ojanguren
LIGHTING DESIGNER: Gary Marder
ORIGINAL CHOREGRAPHER: Nuria Castejón
REVIVAL CHOREGRAPHER: Colm Seery
CHORUS DIRECTOR: John Keene
True Love is Just a Haircut Away.
A jack-of-all trades, the wily barber Figaro has a scheme for anything. Moved by the distress of two young lovers separated by the curmudgeonly Doctor Bartolo, Figaro pulls out his bag of tricks. But will Figaro’s scheming allow Rosina to escape the clutches of her guardian into true love’s embrace with Count Almaviva?
Rossini’s exuberant comedy features some of the most joyful music in all of opera. From the famous overture to the irresistible “Largo al factotum,” this masterpiece of comedic writing has delighted audiences for over two hundred years.
In director Emilio Sagi’s flamenco-inspired production, sun-bleached buildings are the backdrop to colorful costumes as the characters’ plans for escape become more and more outrageous. Benjamin Manis returns to conduct this effervescent score.
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