Experience The Phantom of the Opera Like Never Before at Spreckels Organ Pavilion
We’ve all heard The Phantom of the Opera before – but probably not like this. The Spreckels Organ Society is taking Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic score and reimagining it for one of San Diego’s most unique instruments: the massive outdoor Spreckels Organ.
Add in spooky projections across the pavilion, two talented opera singers, and the fact that it’s completely free, and you’ve got yourself a pretty memorable evening in Balboa Park.
More Than Just a Concert
San Diego Civic Organist Raul Prieto Ramirez will be handling the organ solos, which means you’re getting someone who knows how to coax every dramatic note out of that instrument.
He’ll be joined by soprano Laynee Dell and tenor Cole Tornberg, both active performers with San Diego Opera. Dell’s got that shimmering vocal quality that works perfectly for Phantom’s soaring melodies, while Tornberg brings a rich tone and stage presence that’ll do justice to the music.
The 45-minute concert format keeps things tight and engaging. You’re not sitting through a full three-hour production – just the highlights, performed in a way that lets the organ really shine.
And those projections from SonderEyes? They’re adding a visual layer that turns the whole pavilion into something atmospheric and a little eerie, fitting perfectly with the Halloween timing.
Bring Your Costume
This is one of those rare events where showing up in costume actually makes sense. The organizers are encouraging it, and you’ll even get the chance to take photos on stage with the performers afterward. It’s a nice touch that makes the whole thing feel more like a community celebration than a formal concert.
The outdoor setting at Spreckels means you’re experiencing live music in that classic San Diego way – under the open sky, surrounded by Balboa Park’s architecture, with zero admission cost. It’s the kind of thing that reminds you why this city’s cultural scene is so accessible.
Free and Worth Your Evening
Getting quality opera performances, organ music, and visual effects without paying a dime is increasingly rare. The Spreckels Organ Society continues to make these experiences available to everyone, and that’s something worth supporting by actually showing up.
See you there!
Grab a spot on the lawn, enjoy some world-class music under the stars, and maybe snap a few costumed photos while you’re at it.
📆 Saturday, October 25, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
📍 2125 Pan American E Rd, San Diego
🎟️ RSVP here
ℹ️ More info here
See you there, San Diego!
