San Francisco Opera has canceled more upcoming performances of its 2026 fall season due to a San Francisco Opera Orchestra strike that began Sept. 12.
Performances of Verdi’s “Simon Boccanegra” on Sept. 16 and Sept. 19 will not take place. The opening performance of Thea Musgrave’s “Mary, Queen of Scots,” slated for Sept. 20, also is canceled.
The cancellations follow those of the season-opening performance of “Simon Boccanegra” on Sept. 12 in the War Memorial Opera House and the free Opera in the Park concert on Sept. 13.
San Francisco Opera General Director Matthew Shilvock said, “It is heartbreaking to have to cancel additional performances, but I remain very hopeful that we will get back to the stage soon. Both the opera and the orchestra are working hard to reach a deal, having spent two full days and evenings negotiating immediately following the strike.”
The orchestra, represented by the American Federation of Musicians Local 6, said its last contract agreement, reached two years ago, expired July 31. The musicians say opera management’s proposal of a wage freeze is unacceptable.
Ticketholders for the canceled dates have various options: They may apply the ticket value to purchase tickets for an upcoming performance in the 2026–27 season; they may donate the value, or may request a refund by visiting sfopera.com/updates or calling the box office at (415) 864-3330.