Jewish émigré stars in new opera

Soprano Maria Mikheyenko, a Russian Jewish émigré living in San Francisco, will co-star in the world premiere production of "Belfagor," a new one-act opera by composer Lisa Scola Prosek.

"Belfagor" tells the story of a hell-bound devil who returns to Earth to pursue love and luxury only to find disappointment in society. Mikheyenko plays both Lucifer and Oresta, the wife of a Florentine social climber.

Mikheyenko, 31, came with her family to the United States from St. Petersburg at the age of 8. She pursued voice studies at the University of Michigan and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. She has sung with several local companies.

Stagemedia Group's presentation of "Belfagor" runs 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, June 1 and 2; and 7 p.m. Sunday, June 3 at Thick House Theater, 1695 18th St., S.F. Tickets: $15. Information: (415) 401-8081 or online at www.thickhouse.org.