Santa Fe Opera: World-Class Summer Performances Under the Stars
Santa Fe continually earns accolades, from USA Today's 10Best for the International Folk Art Market and Art Santa Fe to top hotel spas. Yet, as summer descends, the city's true symphony unfolds at the renowned Santa Fe Opera, where twilight brings rising lights and soaring arias—a highlight worth celebrating!
The Santa Fe Opera: Where summer's song truly begins!
A Legacy of Inspiration in Santa Fe
In the 1950s, John Crosby envisioned a world-class opera company in Santa Fe, dedicated to nurturing American singers—both established professionals and emerging talents—through vocal and stagecraft training via the pioneering Apprentice Program. Since its 1957 debut, the Santa Fe Opera (SFO) has realized this vision over 59 remarkable seasons. Crosby led for 43 years until 2000, followed by Richard Gaddes, and then Charles MacKay, a Santa Fe native now entering his eighth successful season as General Director.
SFO Founder and General Director for 43 seasons, John Crosby, observes a rehearsal with mentor Igor Stravinsky. (Photo Credit: Santa Fe Opera)
It takes a dedicated team of skilled apprentices to stage SFO's two-month season! (Photo Credit: Paul Horpedahl, Santa Fe Opera Production Director)
Five New Productions in Two Months
From its founding, SFO has championed classics, rare revivals, and bold premieres, blending music, drama, and technical innovation. The 2015 season exemplifies this with five fresh productions starting July 3. Soprano Anna Christy stars opposite Alek Shrader in Donizetti's comedic Daughter of the Regiment, preceded by the audience's standing rendition of the National Anthem. Verdi's Rigoletto follows on Saturday, led by Quinn Kelsey, the 2015 Beverly Sills Award winner. Richard Strauss's Salome features Alex Penda's iconic Dance of the Seven Veils. Mozart's La Finta Giardiniera—composed at age 18—showcases William Burden, Heidi Stober, and Susanna Phillips (another Sills Award recipient). In August, witness the world premiere of Jennifer Higdon's Cold Mountain, with Nathan Gunn and Isabel Leonard as the leads (both prior Sills honorees).
Baritone Nathan Gunn embodies Inman in Jennifer Higdon's Cold Mountain world premiere. (Photo Credit: M. Sharkey Photography)
Enhance Your Experience with Preludes and Tours
Beyond the stage, enriching preludes await. Explore the newly renovated backstage via 60-minute tours ($10 adults, $8 seniors, kids free; Mon-Fri 9 a.m.), or add a $10 Opera Ranch tour with artist meet-and-greets (last Fridays of June, July, August at 10 a.m.). Free Insiders Days (Saturdays, June 6–August 29) include 8:15 a.m. refreshments and tours.
Mannequins in the Santa Fe Opera Costume Shop await their summer roles!
Dining elevates the evening: Opening Weekend (July 3–4) features festivities; first nights offer three-course dinners amid lush gardens. Nightly preview buffets pair informative talks with patio dining (note: no seating post-overture until intermission). Tailgate in style like locals—from elegant setups to simple chairs with pre-ordered meals—before free prelude talks in Stieren Hall.
Enjoy dinner and performance insights under the white tent at a preview buffet.
Tailgaters Jennifer and Khristaan Villela elevate their canopy to match formal attire! (Photo Credit: Lara Nickel)
Practical Tips for an Unforgettable Night
Dress flexibly—tuxedos mingle with casual wear at 7,000 feet elevation; pack a warm wrap for variable weather. Affordability is key: customize subscriptions, snag day-of standing room, or attend August 16/23 Apprentice Concerts for young fans. Gift certificates and Opera Shop items like Dan Namingha's 2015 poster add delight.
Savvy operagoers prepare for Santa Fe's changeable weather!
Apprentice Shelley Jackson stepped into a principal role in 2014's Don Pasquale. (Photo Credit: Ken Howard for the Santa Fe Opera)
Your Santa Fe Opera Summer Awaits
Decades of attendance affirm: SFO unites talent under piñon-covered hills, painting summer skies with music from this architectural gem—USA Today's 10Best Outdoor Music Venue. A day or night here is Santa Fe's summer essential!
An electrifying night at the Santa Fe Opera! (Photo Credit: Paul Horpedahl, Santa Fe Opera Production Director)
