Dr. Kip Cranna
Dramaturg Emeritus
(Scholar in Residence)
of San Francisco Opera
About Kip Cranna
Clifford “Kip” Cranna is Dramaturg Emeritus at the San Francisco Opera. He joined the company in 1979, serving as Director of Music Administration and later as Dramaturg, planning each season’s rehearsal and performance schedule, managing commissions for new operas, and supervising the music staff, orchestra, chorus, and dancers. He holds a PhD in musicology from Stanford University and writes and lectures frequently on opera. He teaches courses on opera appreciation at Stanford Continuing Studies, the Fromm Institute at the University of San Francisco, and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes (OLLI) at U.C. Berkeley, San Francisco State University, and Dominican University. He is the recipient of several awards, including the San Francisco Opera Medal in 2008.
Upcoming Events
Vive La France! Savoring French Opera
Fromm Institute at USF
April 16-June 11, Thursday Mornings, 10:00-11:40 am
In Person and Online
San Francisco Opera 2026: A Preview of Coming Attraction
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), UC Berkeley
Tuesdays, June 2, 9, 16, 23, 1:00-3:00pm
In Person and Online
Gays on Stage: LGBTQ Characters in Opera
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) San Francisco State.
Friday, June 12, 10:00am
In person and online.
More Information
The Quest for the Grail: A New Look at Parsifal
Triangle Wagner Society (North Carolina)
Sunday, June 14, 2026
In Person
I Hear America Singing: American Opera Takes the Stage
Stanford Continuing Studies
Thursdays, June 25-August 6, 7:00-8:50pm
(no class July 16)
In person on campus
I Hear America Singing: American Opera in Mid-Century
Jewish Community Center
Thursday July 9, 1:00pm
In person
IN-PERSON: San Francisco Opera 2026-27 - An Insider’s Preview of Coming Attractions
SFSU Main Campus | Humanities Building
August 3–17, 2026
In person
I Hear America Singing: Adventures in American Opera
Fromm Institute, University of San Francisco
Thursdays, Sep. 17-Nov. 5, 10:00am-11:40am
In person and online
Puccini, Please: The Life and Times of the World’s Favorite Opera Composer
Opera Weekends at ECCO, Oakhurst, California (Near Yosemite)
October 16-18, 2026
In person
Services
Expert consultancy in opera dramaturgy.
Commissioning Consultant for New Operas and Musicological Advice on Classsic Works
Engaging talks on opera and dramaturgy.
*Photo: Kip Cranna with David Gockely, General Director Emeritus of San Francisco Opera
Get in touch
*Photo: Kip Cranna with Francesca Zambello, director of San Francisco Opera’s recent and upcoming "Ring" cycles
