Turtle Island String Quartet at Yoshi’s

Called the future of classical music, Turtle Island String Quartet lends a fresh slant to the standard chamber sound. Melding the bright virtuosity of classical with contemporary music styles, Turtle Island Quartet has won two Grammys for Best Classical Crossover Album. They've also been endorsed by Yo-Yo Ma, who calls it “a unified voice that truly breaks new ground - a reflection of some of the most creative music-making today.” 

August 7. Yoshi’s, 1330 Fillmore Street. Tickets are $28 at 415-655-5600. 

San Francisco Opera at Stern Grove

Closing out Stern Grove's summer, the San Francisco Opera - featuring the internationally lauded Dolora Zajick - sends arias up into the tree tops. Zajick's dramatic mezzo-soprano (a rare voice type) finds a home in super tricky roles - roles she’s sung with the Metropolitan Opera in New York, Chicago’s Lyric Opera, Italy’s La Scala, Paris’ Opera Bastille, and many other such fancy European venues. Don't worry, we're just as fancy in San Francisco. Mostly.  

August 21. Stern Grove, 19th Avenue and Sloat. Free. Info at sterngrove.org. 

SF Sound Series 

SF Sound Series could be called the hipsters of classical music. Playing in genres most of us have never heard of (European Avante-Garde, West Coast Improv-Underground),  SF Sound Series mixes the cello with contemporary instrumental trends and the oboe with electronic sound. Literal award winners in adventurous programming, classical lovers with a taste for the new and eclectic should check them out.  

August 28. ODC Theater, 351 Shotwell Street. Tickets are $6-12. Info at sfsound.org.