Celebrating 43 years as a society!
© 2026 Wagner Society of Southern California
Events
The WSSC plans unique events
throughout the calender year…
Our events occur in several regular places throughout the year and sometimes in special locations which will be noted:NOTE: ZOOM Events are free for
WSSC members and guests who
purchased a $20,00 entry fee.
The Colburn School 200 S. Grand Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90012 Directions Parking The Chairman’s Home: 1630 South Barranca Ave.. #167 Glendora, CA 91740 Bayreuth Festival Festspielhügel 1-2 85445 Bayreuth
Artistic Foundations of Young
Wagner
with Joshua Borths
Sun., October 11th @ 1 PM PDT
Due to Wagner’s incredible legacy, much of the discourse surrounding him has focused on his artistic legacy following his death in 1883. Yet, Wagner was a man of the nineteenth century, firmly rooted to a specific time and place. Joshua Borths will explore the artistic influences on Richard Wagner to help audiences better understand Wagner’s art as a conversation between the old and the new, the conventional and the novel. Joshua Borths is Director of Opera Theatre at James Madison University (JMU) in Harrisonburg, VA. Last summer, Borths directed a highly acclaimed production of Der fliegender Holländer at Des Moines Metro Opera, and this summer he returns to direct a new production of Puccini’s Tosca. Other upcoming productions include Dialogues of the Carmelites and La traviata.
“Birthday Celebration Recital”
with soprano,
JENNIFER WILSON
RESCHEDULED DATE:
Sat., June 27th 2026 @ 4 PM PDT
Mayman Hall, Colburn School
Jennifer Wilson is best known for her Wagnerian repertoire, for memorable performances of Brünnhilde in the Der Ring Des Nibelungen, Isolde in Tristan und Isolde, Elizabeth in Tannhäuser and Senta in Holländer. She has had a long career since her debut in 2002. In addition to her stage performances, she is also known for her outstanding performances on Blu-Ray as Brunnhilde from the Valencia Ring in Spain, conducted by Zubin Mehta. Though having global acclaim, she is an American born Valkyrie who attended Cornel University and made her professional debut at 36 in the title role of Puccini’s Turandot, followed by appearing at the Lyric Opera of Chicago in 2005 as Brünnhilde. In addition to her Wagnerian roles, she is also known for Aida, Leonore and more. Cathy Miller our accompanist, is the Music Director of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, the Music Staff at San Diego Opera. She also serves as Artistic Director of the Pasadena Vocal Competition.
GALA DINNER 2026
THE WAGNER SOCIETIES OF THE WORLD & THE GESELLSCHAFT DER FREUNDE VON BAYREUTH Das Rheingold Gala 2026 Wed, August 12th after the performance at the New Festival Restaurant. For pricing and information, click the button below…
GALA DINNER 2026
THE WAGNER SOCIETIES OF THE WORLD & THE GESELLSCHAFT DER FREUNDE VON BAYREUTH Das Rheingold Gala 2026 Wed, August 12th after the performance at the New Festival Restaurant. For pricing and information, click the button below…
When Everything Stands
Perplexed
with Jasmin Solfaghari
Sun., Nov. 22th @ 11 AM PDT
When a director undertakes a stage project, especially in opera, the work begins largely alone. The next step is the careful selection of singers and performers, a process far more specialized than in typical theater. There are also notable differences between opera houses in Europe and North America in how this is done. Considerations include training, vocal and dramatic skill, and the artistic judgment required to decide whether to cast a performer debuting in a role or a seasoned artist for the sake of the production as a whole. Jasmin Solfaghari is an accomplished opera director with more than 30 years of experience, based in Berlin, Germany. Wagner has long stood at the center of her artistic life and work. Early in her career, she collaborated with Götz Friedrich and directed revivals of his productions. Her credits include Tannhäuser, the complete Der Ring des Nibelungen, and critically acclaimed performances of Parsifal at the Goetheanum over the past four years, with another production scheduled for 2027. She is also the author of three books and a teacher of masterclasses in music drama.
Celebrating 41 years as a society!
© 2026 Wagner Society of Southern
California
Events
The WSSC plans unique events
throughout the calender year…
Our events occur in several regular places throughout the year and sometimes in special locations which will be noted:NOTE: ZOOM Events are free for WSSC
members and guests who purchased a
$20,00 entry fee.
The Colburn School 200 S. Grand Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90012 Directions Parking The Chairman’s Home: 1630 South Barranca Ave.. #167 Glendora, CA 91740 Bayreuth Festival Festspielhügel 1-2 85445 Bayreuth
“Birthday Celebration Recital”
with soprano,
JENNIFER WILSON
RESCHEDULED DATE:
Sat., June 27th 2026 @ 4 PM PDT
Mayman Hall, Colburn School
Jennifer Wilson is best known for her Wagnerian repertoire, for memorable performances of Brünnhilde in the Der Ring Des Nibelungen, Isolde in Tristan und Isolde, Elizabeth in Tannhäuser and Senta in Holländer. She has had a long career since her debut in 2002. In addition to her stage performances, she is also known for her outstanding performances on Blu-Ray as Brunnhilde from the Valencia Ring in Spain, conducted by Zubin Mehta. Though having global acclaim, she is an American born Valkyrie who attended Cornel University and made her professional debut at 36 in the title role of Puccini’s Turandot, followed by appearing at the Lyric Opera of Chicago in 2005 as Brünnhilde. In addition to her Wagnerian roles, she is also known for Aida, Leonore and more. Cathy Miller our accompanist, is the Music Director of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, the Music Staff at San Diego Opera. She also serves as Artistic Director of the Pasadena Vocal Competition.
Artistic Foundations of Young Wagner
with Joshua Borths
Sun., October 11th @ 1 PM PDT
Due to Wagner’s incredible legacy, much of the discourse surrounding him has focused on his artistic legacy following his death in 1883. Yet, Wagner was a man of the nineteenth century, firmly rooted to a specific time and place. Joshua Borths will explore the artistic influences on Richard Wagner to help audiences better understand Wagner’s art as a conversation between the old and the new, the conventional and the novel. Joshua Borths is Director of Opera Theatre at James Madison University (JMU) in Harrisonburg, VA. Last summer, Borths directed a highly acclaimed production of Der fliegender Holländer at Des Moines Metro Opera, and this summer he returns to direct a new production of Puccini’s Tosca. Other upcoming productions include Dialogues of the Carmelites and La traviata.
GALA DINNER 2026
THE WAGNER SOCIETIES OF THE WORLD & THE GESELLSCHAFT DER FREUNDE VON BAYREUTH Das Rheingold Gala 2026 Wed, August 12th after the performance at the New Festival Restaurant. For pricing and information, click the button below…
When Everything Stands Perplexed
with Jasmin Solfaghari
Sun., Nov. 22th @ 11 AM PDT
When a director undertakes a stage project, especially in opera, the work begins largely alone. The next step is the careful selection of singers and performers, a process far more specialized than in typical theater. There are also notable differences between opera houses in Europe and North America in how this is done. Considerations include training, vocal and dramatic skill, and the artistic judgment required to decide whether to cast a performer debuting in a role or a seasoned artist for the sake of the production as a whole. Jasmin Solfaghari is an accomplished opera director with more than 30 years of experience, based in Berlin, Germany. Wagner has long stood at the center of her artistic life and work. Early in her career, she collaborated with Götz Friedrich and directed revivals of his productions. Her credits include Tannhäuser, the complete Der Ring des Nibelungen, and critically acclaimed performances of Parsifal at the Goetheanum over the past four years, with another production scheduled for 2027. She is also the author of three books and a teacher of masterclasses in music drama.
