The bad news: The Don Giovanni we witnessed last weekend seemed too big a task for the Merola program. Sure, the singing was stellar. And Donna Anna, Leporello, and the Don himself were admirably cast. But the cringe-inducing stage direction, as well as the evening's lackluster orchestra, would not let us enjoy the opera. Bummer. ...

Do you guys remember when Steve Nash played hoops for the Santa Clara Broncos? How he single handedly kicked UCLA's tush? Could you tell he was going to become a mega-star, sure shot into the NBA Hall of Fame? If so, we have another exercise for you to identify diamonds in the rough: the Merola Opera program. It's where the kids who sing go learn their trade, improve their voice, diction, acting and all, and show off their stuff through a series of summer events: a free concert in Yerba Buena gardens, that we missed, two operas (Albert Herring on July 18th and 20th and Don Giovanni on August 1st and 3rd) and a grand finale (August 16th) to wrap up the summer and send the kids home singing Ce n'est qu'un au revoir. Some will then become Adler fellows and perform on the SF Opera stage, and some will become bona fide stars. To know which one, you'll have to listen for that fellow who can hit that three point aria at the buzzer to steal the game....