Opera at Giants' AT & T Park

About 26,000 people spread across the pitch and nearly filled the stands at the Giants' AT & T ballpark last night for a free live broadcast of Puccini's opera, Tosca.

The simulcast is an annual event at the ballpark and was part of the opening week of the San Francisco Opera's 2009 summer season, titled 'Summer of Seduction.'

Performed in Italian with English subtitles, it was relayed from the War Memorial Opera House onto the Giants' massive screen, the Jumbotron.

'An idealistic artist, a celebrated singer and a corrupt police chief engage in a fierce battle of wills in this tempestuous tale of cruelty and deception,' says the SFO website. 'With its themes of political intrigue, sexual intimidation and official hypocrisy, Puccini’s great melodrama set in 1800 is anything but dated.'

In the title role and making her debut for the company was Canadian soprano Adrianne Pieczonka, with baritone Lado Ataneli as Scarpia, while tenor Carlo Ventre played Cavaradossi.

Tosca opened last Tuesday and runs until June 26.

Next, as part of the Summer of Seduction, is Porgy and Bess with a George Gershwin score, followed by Verdi's La Traviata, which ends on July 5.

Opera lovers can look forward to a second free opera performance, Verdi's Il Trovatore, to be shown at the ballpark on Saturday, September 19.

For more info: sfopera.com

For pics of the event by Chris on Flickr click here

LIVE Opera at the Ballpark, featuring San Francisco Opera

Tonight, (June 5, 2009) the San Francisco Opera visit the AT&T BallPark for their annual 'Opera at the BallPark' event. Tonights performance is of Puccini's TOSCA, which is part of their current run at the Opera House and will be shown as a simulcast on the Jumbotron (The SF Giants, 103ft HDTV).

Previous similar events in the past attracted over 15,000 opera fans

For a review of the current season of Tosca at the Opera House, see the review from Inside Bay Area

For FREE tickets with reserved seating, visit the opera house website.

For those not used to Italian Opera or who do not know the story, subtitles will be included.

Beginning at 6:30PM, pre-registered fans can enter the park, while entry for the general public begins at 7PM. Field seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. You must bring your barcoded confirmation print-out for early entry. Bring blankets (no lawnchairs) to sit on the field. If you're thinking of bringing a picnic, please review the AT&T Park Restrictions to speed your check-in at the security gate. NO alcohol or unsealed containers will be permitted

AT and T Park is easily accessed by public transportation, with it's own station on the N streetcar line.