By Lina Broydo
The Magic of “Manet and Morisot” at the Legion of Honor Museum in San Francisco
October 11, 2025 – March 1, 2026
This is totally thrilling! The first major exhibition dedicated to the formative friendship and the artistic exchange between 19th-century French painters Edouard Manet and Berthe Morisot is on its way to the Legion of Honor Museum in San Francisco.
The great pioneer of modern painting and the female founding member of the Impressionist group will showcase and share their closest relationship between any two artists in the Impressionists circle.
Featuring masterpieces lent from public and private collections on both sides of the Atlantic, Manet & Morisot will present new research casting this friendship and the story of Impressionism in a new light. I don’t recall a more fascinating exhibit I am looking forward to viewing and learning about than Manet & Morisot.
Through carefully selected pairs and groups of paintings by the two artists, this exhibition will trace the evolution of the two artists’ friendship and mutual influence. Don’t miss it!
Information:
famsf.org
Legion of Honor Museum, 100 34th Street in San Francisco
Photos courtesy of the Legion of Honor Museum
2025 Silicon Valley Jewish Film Festival
October 19 – November 2
One of the absolutely best film festivals in the Bay Area, Silicon Valley Jewish Film Festival is promoting cultural diversity to the Silicon Valley community. Under the brilliant coordination of Tzvia Shalev, the festival’s Executive Director, this year’s festival will present 5 in-theater films and dozens of virtual movies.
The October 19th, 7pm opening night presents “Tatami” – the gripping drama is set during a high-stakes day at the World Judo Championships. The first film ever co-produced by an Israeli director and an Iranian filmmaker, “Tatami” is a story of courage and freedom. Stay for the Q&A with the movie’s director and actors. Reception to follow.
The November 2, 7pm closing night presents “Midas Night” – set in the vibrant world of 1960s London, this stylish musical biopic follows Brian Epstein, who masterminded the rise of the Beatles. Q&A with lead actors and reception to follow.
For tickets and Information about the 2025 Silicon Valley Jewish Film Festival go to SVJFF.ORG or call (408) 498-0904
Photos courtesy of SVJFF
San Francisco Opera Presents Richard Wagner’s “Parsifal”
In one of the benchmark events of San Francisco Opera’s 103rd season, Eun Sun Kim conducts Richard Wagner’s “Parsifal” from October 25–November 13. Wagner’s enigmatic final work returns to the War Memorial Opera House stage in a new production by director Matthew Ozawa. Company Chorus Director John Keene prepares the San Francisco Opera Chorus for “Parsifal’s” choral scenes featuring knights of the Holy Grail, seductive flower maidens and celestial voices.
Designs for “Parsifal” by Yuki Nakase Link (l), Jessica Jahn (c), Robert Innes Hopkins. “Parsifal” marks the continuation of Eun Sun Kim’s exploration of Wagner’s works each season in San Francisco. Her Wagner journey began in 2023 with “Lohengrin”, the preparation for which was captured in the NorCal Emmy-nominated documentary Eun Sun Kim: A Journey Into Lohengrin.
Last season, she conducted her first performances of “Tristan und Isolde” of which the San Francisco Chronicle said, “Kim commands every page of this daunting and harmonically unsettled score, from the hushed opening of the prelude through to Isolde’s concluding aria nearly five hours later.”
Information: www.sfopera.com
“Dances and Dreams” a Classical Piano Recital by Pavel Kolesnikov in Cupertino
October 18 at 7:30pm
Renowned concert pianist Pavel Kolesnikov returns to the Steinway Society stage following his unforgettable 2024 recital of Chopin and Schubert. A favorite among classical music fans for his poetic interpretations and refined technique, Kolesnikov is celebrated as one of the most distinctive voices in the world of piano today. Kolesnikov gained international acclaim after winning the 2012 Honens International Piano Competition, one of the most prestigious awards in classical music, known for its exceptional prize package.
Since then, he has performed at Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Hall, Berlin’s Konzerthaus, Wigmore Hall, and other world-class venues. Critics praise his thoughtful artistry and emotional depth. As The Telegraph raved after his London debut: “One of the most memorable of such occasions London has witnessed in a while.”
Steinway Society – The Bay Area is a nonprofit organization based in Silicon Valley. Now in its historic 30th season, this dedicated group of musicians, pianists, teachers, and arts lovers promotes excellence in piano performance and music education. Each season, Steinway Society presents a series of classical piano concerts featuring international award-winning pianists, as well as an active school music program.
Information:
Tickets are available at www.steinwaysociety.com.
Phone: 408.300.5635
Visual and Performing Arts Center, 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino, CA 95014 (located at De Anza College); Photo courtesy of Steinway Society By Area
