Frommer's Review
Many rank the Santa Fe Opera second only to the Metropolitan Opera of New York in the United States. Established in 1957, it consistently attracts famed conductors, directors, and singers. At the height of the season, the company is 500 strong. It's noted for its performances of the classics, little-known works by classical European composers, and American premieres of 21st-century works. The theater, completed for the 1998 season, sits on a wooded hilltop 7 miles north of the city, off US 84/285. It's partially open-air, with open sides. A controversial structure, this new theater replaced the original, built in 1968, but preserved the sweeping curves attuned to the contour of the surrounding terrain. At night, the lights of Los Alamos can still be seen in the distance under clear skies.
The 8-week, 40-performance opera season runs from late June through late August. Highlights for 2007 include a Santa Fe Opera-commissioned world premiere by Chinese-American composer Tan Dun -- who won an Oscar for scoring Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon -- titled Tea: A Mirror of Soul. Also slated are Puccini's passionate La Bohème, Mozart's Così fan tutte, Strauss's Daphne, and Jean-Philippe Rameau's French baroque masterwork Platée. All performances begin at 9pm, until the end of July when performances start at 8:30pm and the last week of the season when performances begin at 8pm. A small screen in front of each seat shows the libretto during the performance. A gift shop has been added, as has additional parking. The entire theater is wheelchair accessible.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
