General Director’s Message

From the first moment I worked at West Bay Opera as a guest conductor, I was struck by the friendly and collaborative atmosphere I encountered. Everyone seemed enthusiastic and determined to give their best. Professionalism and teamwork steeped in a love of opera: for an opera conductor it’s as close to opera heaven as it gets, unless you can also have a multi-million dollar budget.

Then I witnessed the generosity of the Guild members, the enthusiasm of the volunteers, the quality of the orchestra, the solid commitment of the chorus, the dependability of the production team, the tremendous talent pool of set and costume and lighting designers, coaches, accompanists, and stage directors; and I met the community supporters and audience members who have been coming to West Bay Opera performances for so many years; and I realized just what an invaluable cultural asset West Bay Opera is to the communities on the Peninsula. I also came to understand how important West Bay Opera is as a place of opportunity for the tremendously gifted up-and-coming singers it regularly features in its productions, and how solid a support base it has among opera lovers in the area.

It should come as no surprise, then, that I accepted the Board’s offer to become the company’s General Director. I was impressed by the Board’s scrupulous and painstaking search and selection process; I am honored by the choice and, above all, I am tremendously excited about the possibilities.

As West Bay Opera enters its 52nd season, it faces challenges not unlike most other opera companies around the country. We need to strengthen our finances and chart an artistic course that strikes the right balance between highlighting the very best of the operatic tradition and fostering creativity and innovation. In charting that course, one of my main goals will be to strengthen even further our partnership with Peninsula organizations and the community in general, so that people of all ages will continue to find a meaningful personal connection with the extraordinary experience of making opera, and come to know or rediscover the joys of being swept up in its magic.

I’m looking forward to the challenge.

José Luis Moscovich
General Director