Thrilling audiences in San Francisco since 1923, the San Francisco Opera is known for commissioning numerous world premieres, training some of opera's greatest young artists and being one of the world’s leading opera companies.  Italian conductor and pianist Gaetano Merola founded the Company and lead it until his death in 1953. Multiple directors have lead the Company through the years until David Gockley took over in 2006. Dianne Nicolini host the annual broadcast series of operas from their past season performed in the War Memorial Opera House, their home since October 1932.