Pocket Opera Presents Britten's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'

The classic Shakespeare comedy comes to life in a special one-day opera performance at the Legion of Honor.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 4:07pm by

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An abstract composition of bold, geometric shapes in deep indigo, forest green, and bright yellow, conceptually representing the fantastical world and innovative musical style of Britten's operatic adaptation of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream.'Pocket Opera's production of Britten's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' promises a visually striking and musically captivating interpretation of this Shakespearean classic.San Francisco Today

The Pocket Opera company will present Benjamin Britten's operatic adaptation of William Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' at the Legion of Honor in San Francisco on April 26. The performance, which is part of the company's 2026 season, will take place at 1:30 p.m. in the Gunn Theater and tickets are available online, with only a few seats remaining.

Why it matters

Pocket Opera is known for bringing lesser-known and classic operas to intimate venues in the Bay Area, providing audiences an accessible way to experience the art form. Britten's take on the Shakespearean comedy is a highlight of the company's 2026 season, blending the whimsical story with the composer's distinctive musical style.

The details

The Pocket Opera production of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' will feature soprano Hye Jung Lee, who has previously taken on 'two of the most challenging soprano roles from the twentieth century repertoire' according to the director. General admission tickets are $89, with discounted $45 tickets available for those 30 and under. The performance is expected to sell out, with only 5 seats remaining as of the announcement.

  • The performance will take place on Sunday, April 26, 2026 at 1:30 p.m.

The players

Pocket Opera

A San Francisco-based opera company known for presenting lesser-known and classic operas in intimate venues around the Bay Area.

Hye Jung Lee

A soprano who has previously taken on some of the most challenging roles in 20th century opera repertoire.

Benjamin Britten

The English composer who created the operatic adaptation of Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' that Pocket Opera is presenting.

William Shakespeare

The renowned English playwright whose classic comedy 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' is the basis for Britten's opera.

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What they’re saying

“I know this work primarily because it is included in the Decca anthology of the composer's complete works.”

— Stephen Smoliar, Writer

“To the best of my knowledge, the closest I have come to seeing it staged was in August of 2010, when the Grand Finale performance of the Merola Opera Program included a performance by soprano Hye Jung Lee, who, in my words for an Examiner.com article, took on 'two of the most challenging soprano roles from the twentieth century repertoire.'”

— Stephen Smoliar, Writer

What’s next

Tickets for the April 26 performance of Britten's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' at the Legion of Honor are expected to sell out, with only 5 seats remaining as of the initial announcement. Interested audience members should purchase tickets online as soon as possible.

The takeaway

Pocket Opera's production of Britten's operatic adaptation of the Shakespeare classic 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' provides a unique opportunity for Bay Area audiences to experience this lesser-known work in an intimate setting. The company's focus on accessibility and bringing diverse operas to the community makes this a must-see event for local opera fans.