Is Chronicle editor Phil Bronstein the new Jerry Seinfeld? Every year, he steps on the stage of the SF Opera in the Park, which the Chron generously helps produce. And people are semi-drunk on chardonnay, satiated on taboule and tomato-and-mozarella salads, they are baking in the sun: they are warmed up already. Yet every year, Phil's attempts to warm up the crowd even more end up in a train wreck. Here are this year's jokes (transcribed by us as honestly as we could), and we'll let you be the judge: more ›

Visiting conductor James Conlon twice asked for a perfect silence from the SF Symphony audience in Davies Symphony Hall, during Saturday's performance of Verdi's Requiem. The first time was to shush the house before opening the concert with the softest pianissimo from the cellos, a whisper of a murmur leading to the hushed prayer from the Chorus: Grant them eternal rest, O Lord, and let everlasting light shine upon them. more ›

The San Francisco Opera has been quite busy, with three shows running concurrently right now, each opening almost a week apart. Yesterday, Fidelio had its premiere with a quality production, as always in this opera season, but one which lacks a little oomph, a little something to make it great. The audience appeared to enjoy it nonetheless. Photos by Terrence McCarthy/SF Opera. Above, from left to right, Christine Brewer, Greta Feeney and Arthur Woodley more ›