Michael Cavanagh receives San Francisco Opera Medal

The San Francisco Opera has awarded its Opera Medal, the company’s highest honour, to Canadian opera director Michael Cavanagh, shortly before his death last month from leptomeningeal cancer.

Cavanagh received the honour in recognition of his ‘distinguished artistic service to San Francisco Opera over an extended period of time’ and in celebration of his role as creative vision behind many important productions for the company. His wife, Jackie Short, was able to share the news with him shortly before he died on 13 March at the age of 62.

San Francisco Opera Dianne and Tad Taube general director Matthew Shilvock said: ‘It was clear from the moment Michael debuted with us in 2012 that his vision, energy and collaborative spirit resonated beautifully with the Company and this city. We entered into a series of new productions with Michael that have defined so much of the artistic arc of the Company over the last decade. In recognition of his extraordinary impact on the artistry of our stage, we proudly awarded Michael our highest honor, the San Francisco Opera Medal.’

Cavanagh joins a long legacy of previous Opera Medal winners, dating back to the award’s founding in 1970 and including singers Samuel Ramey, Marilyn Horne, Birgit Nilsson and Nina Stemme, former music directors Sir Donald Runnicles and Nicola Luisotti, composer John Adams and artist David Hockney.

Cavanagh’s career in the industry began as a writer, producer and director of operas for the Manitoba Opera and The Winnipeg Fringe Festival. This led to a 34-year international career, where he directed more than 150 operas for over 30 opera companies across Canada, the United States and Europe.

One of Cavanagh’s key contributions to the San Francisco Opera was the Mozart-Da Ponte Trilogy, which he envisioned with a creative team including set designer Erhard Rom, costume designer Constance Hoffman and lighting designer Jane Cox. Starting in 2019, the trilogy stagings were unveiled over three seasons and have travelled beyond San Francisco, with performances taking place at Dallas Opera and LA Opera.

A celebration of life event for Cavanagh was held on 21 April at Western University in London, Ontario and a scholarship fund has been established in his name.

Reflecting on Cavanagh's contribution to San Francisco Opera, Shilvock said: ‘Michael has left us far too soon, but he leaves us with an incredible body of work that will continue to be a part of our repertoire and the most beautiful memories that so many of us have of working with him, laughing with him, making art with him. Michael will forever be part of the soul of San Francisco Opera, and it is our great honour to have written this chapter with his friendship.’