By Lina Broydo
Opera San Jose Presents “Cavalleria Rusticana” and “Pagliacci”
Now through March 1, 2026
Celebrated composer/conductor Alma Deutscher, who conducted The Magic Flute and her own opera Cinderella at Opera SJ, returns to the podium with the masterful operatic double bill of Mascagni’s “Cavalleria Rusticana” and Leoncavallo’s “Pagliacci”, bringing raw passion and intense drama to the opera aficionados at the architecturally stunning California Theatre in downtown San Jose.
Brilliantly directed by Opera San Jose’s General Director & CEO Shawna Lucey, “Cavalleria Rusticana” is set in a Sicilian village before World War I, and tells a story of love and jealousy that culminates in a dramatic duel of honor. Mascagni’s sweeping melodies, including the beloved “Intermezzo,” make this a thrilling work of passion and disloyalty. “Pagliacci” to be set in the same village after WWI, follows a traveling commedia dell’arte troupe whose personal betrayals explode on stage, highlighted by the electrifying aria “Vesti la giubba” by Leoncavallo. “Cavalleria Rusticana” and “Pagliacci” will be performed in Italian with English and Spanish subtitles. Maestra Alma Deutscher —who began composing operatic and chamber works of international renown while still a small child—has become an astonishing force in the world of music. “It is a pleasure for the audiences to see her again at work on these two commanding dramatic pieces” says Ms. Shawna Lucey.
Information:
For tickets visit operasj.org or call 408-437-4450
California Theatre, 345 South First Street, San José
Photos courtesy of Opera SJ
Spring Comes Alive at Filoli with Dazzling Floral Displays
March through May, 2026
Filoli ushers in Spring 2026 with a vibrant celebration of color, fragrance and renewal, unveiling a full season of programming designed to immerse visitors in the magic of the garden’s most spectacular months. As hundreds of thousands of tulips, daffodils and blossoming fruit trees burst into bloom, guests are invited to experience a feast for the senses, where every path surprises you with the new textures, scents and sweeping views.
According to Kara Newport, the estate’s President and CEO “Spring at Filoli is a must-see spectacle. It’s joyful and it should not be missed.” Some of the Filoli’s programing will include: wandering 16 acres of gardens blanketed with tens of thousands of tulips, daffodils and hyacinths; blooming trees and fragrant cherry blossoms, performing arts and cultural programs featuring series of Irish Nights; Ballroom Performances series; Filoli House Curatorial Tours, Wellness, Creative and Yoga Workshops, Guided Bird Walk, Spring Floral Arranging, A Legacy Wine Tasting and Spring Tea, Kusamura Bonsai Demo, among many more offerings.
Filoli is a historic estate and a world-class garden located in Woodside.
For Information on Filoli’s Spring Programming visit
https://filoli.org/spring
Photo courtesy of Filoli
CINEQUEST Film & Creativity Festival in San Jose & Mountain View
March 10-22, 2026
Hollywood is returning to South Bay for an annual beloved film festival. Voted as “The Best Film Festival by USA Today Readers”. Steve Zahn and Vivica Fox will receive the Maverick Spirit Award at the March 14th screening of “She Dances” and “Plan C”. A moderated conversation with Ms. Fox and Mr. Zahn follows the films. Cinequest’s highest honor, the Maverick Spirit Award, reflects the best of the worlds of innovation and artistry. It has been received by J.J. Abrams, Tatiana Maslany, Nicolas Cage, Sir Ian McKellen, Rosario Dawson, Harrison Ford, Michael Keaton, Sir Ben Kingsley, Spike Lee, Elle Fanning, Gemma Arterton, and Jim Gaffigan. If you love movies like I love movies – this festival is definitely for you!! Cinequest connects artists, innovators, media, and audiences—as people converge to experience a potent mix of immersive stories from around the globe and breakthrough technologies.
Yet, Cinequest’s stellar reputation not only hinges on its knack for creating a powerful line-up, but also for securing distribution for many of its honored filmmakers. Netflix, IFC Films, Amazon, MSNBC Films, Roadside Attractions, 1091 Pictures, Oscilloscope, Sony Pictures, Magnolia Pictures, Kino-Lorber, eOne, Lionsgate, PBS, and HBO are just a few of the many that have signed deals with some of Cinequest’s success stories. As an Academy-qualifying festival for the short film categories, Cinequest is proud to honor the winners of its Best Short Narrative and Best Short Animation prizes with a shot at every filmmaker’s dream…Oscar gold.
The annual prestigious “Maverick Award” recognition event brings the elite among the actors, producers and filmmakers to the exciting awards event in South Bay. CQFF’s blend of the artist and innovator gains focus through its Maverick Awards. Its Maverick Spirit Awards recognizes artists (Harrison Ford, Nicolas Cage, Elle Fanning, J.J. Abrams, Tatiana Maslany, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Bill Nighy, Sir Ben Kingsley, Rosario Dawson, Spike Lee, Sam Neill, Eddie Izzard, Gemma Arterton, Neil Gaiman, and Sir Ian McKellen are among the guest recipients). Its Maverick Innovator Award recognizes technologists (including Martin Cooper, father of the cell phone, and Steve Wozniak, Co-founder of Apple Inc.). A Maverick stands apart from the crowd willing to create and innovate from a place of personal yet global vision.
Information: Cinequest.org
Photos courtesy of Cinequest
SF Symphony Celebrates The Lunar Year of the Horse
February 28, 2026 at 4 p.m.
One of my favorite holiday events in the city is orchestrated annually by the SF Symphony and this year we will be celebrating “The Year of the Horse”. The Lunar New Year concert, conducted this year by Mei-Ann Chen features the program which includes Huan-Zhi Li’s Spring Festival Overture, the traditional song “Wishing You Prosperity,” music from Che-Yi Lee’s Dancing Strings, Tyzen Hsiao’s The Angel from Formosa, Huang Ruo’s Flower Drum Song from Feng Yang from Folk Songs for Orchestra, and An-Lun Huang’s Saibei Dance.
SF Symphony Second Clarinet Yuhsin Galaxy Su joins the Orchestra in her solo debut to perform Che-Yi Lee’s Alone Ascending the West Chamber, and erhu player George Gao plays his original work Capriccio No. 6, “Shaoyin.”
The concert closes with Chen Ge Xin’s Gong Xi Gong Xi. The celebration begins at 4:00pm with preconcert lobby festivities open to all ticketholders, featuring an array of entertainment and activities, such as lion dancers, fortune readers, art making, and cultural performances. DON’T MISS IT!!
The postconcert Lunar New Year Banquet begins at 6:30pm in Zellerbach Rehearsal Hall at Davies Symphony Hall, and features a lucky draw and live music, including a special performance. VIP dinner packages include access to the preconcert receptions, premium concert seating, and seating at the banquet.
Information
415-864-6000
Davies Symphony Hall
Photos courtesy of SF Symphony
