The general director of Opera San Jose talks mantras, pop music and her daughter’s favorite place on the planet.
Shawn Lucey directs Romeo & Juliet this fall to open OSJ’s 40th season.
Shawna Lucey, who became general director of Opera San Jose (operasanjose.org) last year, credits a directing mentor for her path to opera. “I come from the theater, and my mentor told me to look into directing opera because I speak Russian and Italian and can read music,” she says. “I didn’t know anything about opera—it changed the trajectory of my career. I never looked back!” Lucey’s impressive CV includes stints at the Santa Fe Opera, Bread & Puppet Theatre and San Francisco Opera. We caught up with the busy mom to chat about the summer ahead.
What excites you most about your new role?
Our audiences listen with their hearts; our artists feel that and respond with transformative performances.
The most misunderstood thing about opera?
That it’s long and boring! An opera is where your soul can rest, be transformed, connect and soar. And opera is sexy—where else can you get lust, death, love at first sight, grief and madness all in one storyline? Succession didn’t invent that; opera did.
What would surprise people about you?
My deep and abiding love for acrylic nail art—see my IG profile @29flames.
What’s your mantra?
It came from my mother: The office of complaints is closed.
Biggest weakness?
Coffee and chocolate.
Favorite piece of music?
Verdi’s final masterpiece, Falstaff, is a comedy for every time and every age.
Books you quote?
I reference New Power by Jeremy Heimans and Henry Timms quite a bit. For fiction, I just gifted a friend one of my favorite novels, Moving On by Larry McMurtry.
What favorite thing have you discovered in the Bay Area?
I spend a lot of time at Happy Hollow (happyhollow.org). I have a 2-year-old daughter, and this is her favorite place to be.
What’s on your summer Spotify playlist?
I’m an unabashed fan of Megan Thee Stallion. I just introduced my daughter to Harry Belafonte. We rotate between Cardi B and Gounod’s Romeo & Juliet, which I’m directing for OSJ in September to open the 40th anniversary season. It’s full of sexy French music.
Photography by: DAVID ALLEN
