The Santa Fe Opera

We had our first experience at Santa Fe Opera last night, and after seeing an amazing performance in such a cool venue with the sun setting behind the stage it would be really hard to give it anything short of 5 stars. This place seems to really have it figured out.
I can’t wait to be back here for next season’s Operas. We’ll certainly do the tailgate lunch with a nice bottle of wine, then we’ll hit one of the many bars in the venue!
The best part of it is that it caters to any budget. You can spend quite a bit for great front row seats, or get standing room for only $ 15 and everywhere in between! Bring a pair of binoculars if you’re far back because you want to see all the incredible detail that they put into the costumes and hair and makeup of the performers. It really is a treat, even if you’re not into Opera like me.

seeing La Finta Giardiniera… lots of fun! The setting is awesome. seeing the sunset as the performance begins… also the dinner and the instructional talk explaining the plot, etc were very helpful!

This is a can’t miss venue. An open air opera theater with absolutely stunning views of the surrounding scenery, and amazing people watching when the sun sets. The operas that are staged are generally popular ones (Carmen, Rigoletto) so there’s more of a broad appeal. The opera attracts some absolutely wonderful performers, and the staging is always good and sometimes brilliant. It’s worth paying a bit more to sit on the ground level, and if you’re lucky, you won’t go on a full house night and be able to scoot to better seats. There are monitors that translate the opera verses for you, allowing you to follow along, and the seating is surprisingly comfortable. Also, there are full bars ready to go at intermission. You don’t need to totally dress up (although I have seen some full length gowns), which is another big plus, but I would leave your Toms at home.

A friend and I recently visited Santa Fe specifically to see Rigoletto, Cold Mountain, and Salome. The productions were top notch, with the stunning New Mexican sunset as backdrop. Sets were beautiful. Performances were consistently superlative with wonderful vocals and good acting. I was particularly impressed with Quinn Kelsey’s turn as Rigoletto — what a magnificent voice & great stage presence!
However, my experience there was somewhat marred by a couple of problems. Firstly, the magnificent sunsets blinded me for much of the first acts of all three operas. I could hear the singing, but the glare prevented me from seeing most of the action onstage until after the sun set.
Secondly, I was totally frustrated by the staff at the box office. We started calling in early May for tickets to the August 5^th performance of Cold Mountain. We were told it was sold out and advised to keep calling in case tickets were returned. I dutifully did that for a month. It wasn’t until the 5^th call that the staffer told me that standing room tickets were available. Why did it take 5 calls for someone to mention that?!
We visited the box office on August 4^th to inquire about trading our standing room tickets for seats. They told us to call and check at 10:00 AM the day of the performance. We did and was told that seats were available. Halleluia!
So I tried to buy the tickets. They refused to make the transaction by phone. Then I was told that they were only available in person and that they couldn’t hold them for 10 minutes while I drove to the venue to make the purchase. I don’t understand why they would tell me to call and check for tickets, but then refuse to sell them over the phone?! What kind of customer service is that?! Disgruntled and totally frustrated, I asked to speak to the box office manager. After arguing extensively with her over policy, she finally relented and agreed to hold the tickets for ten minutes until we could get to the box office to buy them. When I got there, she acted as if I had done something wrong. I appreciate that the tickets were held for me, but I don’t understand the point if telling customers to call and check if you can’t buy the tickets by phone. And why would you refuse to hold the tickets if the customer makes the effort to drive to the box office to consummate the transaction?!
Maybe it’s time to revamp ticket policy! This could have been easy for everyone if the box office could handle it all by phone. Instead, my blood pressure went off the charts and the lack of communications has me seriously considering boycotting them.
Five stars for performance and production. One star for customer service.

We come here nearly every year! Nothing beats the opera in an open house. To have the sunset during the opera is breathtaking. The performances and opera? Top notch. A great treat!

I’m not sure what I can say that other contributors have said. Putting is succinctly, it is an amazingly beautiful opera house in a breathtaking setting. Productions are world class. This summer they offered Beethoven — Fidelio, Mozart –The Impresario, Bizet — Carmen, and Donizetti — Don Pasquale. Even non-​opera aficionados will have a memorable evening to be sure. «Tailgating» in the parking lot before a performance (many in formal attire) is a Santa Fe tradition.

This is a beautiful venue that always puts on excellent operas. There are usually 5 per year and they never disappoint. I’ve sat in the balcony and in the 3^rd row and both seats were fantastic. The opera can be expensive but they do sell standing room seats for a reasonable rate. For more information on those I’d check the website.
Here at the santa fe opera they tailgate. It’s really weird to me but they do. Apparently you can purchase tailgate food packages and such.
I’ve found that parking is easy and it’s free. I know people mentioned the shuttle but I found it rather expensive. Especially since getting in and out is pretty simple. If you’re a newby or a veteran I’d recommend attending an opera here. Hell if you hate it at least it’s outdoor and the view is nice. Also it can get cold in the evening so bring a jacket. Enjoy!

The venue is a wonderful, open air opera. The magnificent Santa Fe sky often provides the dramatic backstop for the performances. The staging is beautiful, in general but specific to each individual opera. Seats are comfortable and electronic translations are available with each one. It’s hard to find a bad view. The Opera shop is well stocked with CDs, books, Opera mugs and other relevant paraphernalia.
The Opera Club is great fun prior to each performance and there are frequently donor dinners, dress rehearsals, and lectures to attend. It’s also a tradition to tailgate in the parking lot; portable tables often sport candelabra and champagne. Dress is anything from cowboy boots and jeans to evening wear. It’s Santa Fe, so relax and have an enjoyable evening. It often gets chilly, so you might be wise to bring a blanket or dress in layers.
I am not reviewing individual operas here, because they vary in quality and impact. However, I have rarely seen a disappointing performance at the SF Opera. The Apprentice Programs are amazing; give them a try, too. These are the opera stars of tomorrow.
It is well worth attending an opera here and becoming a supporter. It’s very worthwhile and you won’t be disappointed.

The Santa Fe Opera is truly one of the best examples of New Mexico’s enchantment. We are very lucky to have this world class opera house in the beautiful piñón wooded hills north of Santa Fe. Amazing opera, beautiful music, stunning staging and costuming, all nestled in New Mexico’s incomparable scenery – sunsets, summer storms in the distance, and cool breezes all add to the unforgettable experience.

The venue is unparalleled! There is stunning beauty in the architecture and the views. I went this past Saturday for The Grand Duchesse, which is the last opera of the season I am told. It was my first experience with opera and going to a French comedy was probably the best first experience. I’m already excited about next year!

I’ll more likely be found putting away a few pints and watching a game. But, on some rare occasions I can shine up like a new penny and get my culture on.
My little lady wanted to go to the internationally renowned Santa Fe Opera, and really who am I to deny her? The venue is stunning. It is set high up overlooking the mountains. There is simply a roof covering all seating and the theatre remains open air all around. The curtain rises at different times during the season, just as the sun has set. This was a spectacular scene to take in just prior to our show. The views here are wonderful.
We saw La Traviata and we both loved it. The leads and others had voices that soared. Each seat had subtitles so that you could follow along with the show. I could have done with shorter intermissions as it made it a late night for this old man. That said, we had a lovely evening at the opera.

Doesn’t matter whether you enjoy opera.
Third best perfomance venue in the world
(after Red Rocks and Taormina).

Santa Fe is proud to be home to this world class – and internationally respected – opera house. Each summer, cast and crew gather from all over the world for a few months to produce a five opera season. I have been coming to the opera ever since I was a stitching intern in the Costume Department in 2006 – a unique experience that has made me a opera fan for life!
Opera is definitely a very specific genre of entertainment and its not for the faint of heart – some productions can be over three hours long! But the combination of the wonderful sets, lighting and costumes with internationally celebrated opera singers is something that everyone needs to experience at least once.
If you are venturing here for the first time, there are a few things you need to know. For starters, it is an opera tradition to «tail gate.» Tail-​gating at the opera is exactly that, people open up their car trunks and bust out their tables and chairs hours before the opera starts. Don’t mistake this for a rowdy college fest, however, these tables often have tablecloths, an array of appetizers and wine or champagne – so its a fancy tail-​gate. Get there early and have a picnic! Second, the theater is outdoors and its smart to bring a blanket to keep warm just in case. Finally, be sure to dress your best!

The Santa Fe Opera house is also called the Crosby Theater, named after John Crosby a conductor from New York who started the summer festival in the late 1950’s. The space is an open air venue that has slowly become more enclosed over time, but still has lovely outdoor views. A nice breeze and your idyllic opera night has begun as the sun sets behind the stage sets. The sun sets over the rise behind the theater just in time for the performances to begin and natural light fades out as the show lighting fades up. Now there is no chance of getting rained on in one’s seat, which is good and bad. I recall from previous visits being able to stare up at the stars while firmly seated in the theater. But it’s probably better this way. The modern stage has the ability to be open backed allowing for a spectacular view of the Northern New Mexico mountains. From the adobe structures that house the gift shop and the ticket lobby to the serape wearing ushers, the Southwest accent is in full bloom for the July and August months. I understand that they do more than just Opera at this venue, but it’s the Opera that has made this venue internationally known. Puccini’s Tosca and Rossini’s Maometto II were seen on this visit. If you are in the area during the season of the opera it’s a good idea to try to see something in this space.

Beautiful open air venue is located on a mesa seven miles north of Santa Fe. The current (third) iteration of the theater has a completely covered roof for protection from the elements, but remains open at the sides.
The summer opera festival usually consists of five operas performed in rotation over a seven week period. World class performances, breathtaking sunsets, and dramatic thunderstorms are the norm in this unique opera house.

Up front: I know nothing about opera. Nothing. So you probably shouldn’t read this.
I won’t ever forget the first performance I saw at this astounding theater. Bats swooping over my head, the multi-​hued sunset, the strange creatures belting out haunting melodies on stage.
I liked the monitor which translated the story unfolding in front of me. I understood what I was watching, though I’ll admit it didn’t move me. Didn’t matter. What a gem. We’re very, very lucky to have this facility, these talented artists, this way to celebrate our unique climate and culture. Be vigilant and you’ll find good deals on tickets, and take Melinda H’s word for it, take the shuttle from town.

Very cool opera with thunder in the background
Beautiful covered outdoor forum
Great voices; nice music
Minimalist stage scenery
Monitors in front of you give you choice of English or Spanish translations; a bit distracting
Comfortable seating

Attended my first performance at the Santa Fe Opera last night, and I could not have been more impressed. The tickets were a gift; I wasn’t sure about my ability to sit through an opera (took my iPod, just in case!); imagine my surprise at already looking at the 2012 season to decide which one to come back for.
We rode the shuttle from town, and it was an extremely efficient way to get to and from the opera house. I’d recommend it for out-​of-​towners or for anyone who doesn’t feel like fighting the traffic.

I saw two performances here in one week. Both were very different from each other, but one thing was the same… the theater.
It is a gorgeous opera house. It is a semi open-​air theater and the desert breeze feels great at night.
The tickets are somewhat expensive, but they have a pretty decent «standing room» area, and those tickets are very affordable.
The opera has special screens in front of every chair, giving you subtitles for the shows you are watching.
The staff is very nice, and you can tell they are passionate about what they do. The quality is very high.
If you go to visit (or live in) Santa Fe, and want a quality culture experience, please visit the Santa Fe Opera!

I’ve had the pleasure of seeing my brother perform in Santa Fe a number of times now and while I’m sure it would please the family for me to carry on about how talented he is, I would like to focus on the company itself.
Disclaimer: I do not work for them. I have never worked for them. This is based on my opinions as an opera-​goer. (Not to mention that half the time my girlfriend and I get away from the city, it is to see him sing.)
Most of the shows I’ve seen at SFO have been top notch. Production values are on a par with some of the shows I’ve seen at the Met. They attract some semi-​big to big names for their principals. The chorus is comprised of apprentices, which is not necessarily a bad thing. The singing is uniformly superior. The acting is fine. The orchestras are always nice and lush (as appropriate to each specific show).
I believe the real ace up SFO’s sleeve (not to diminish their considerable talents) is their setting. The opera house sits on a hillside in the middle of the desert. The stage is open at the back, providing a very dramatic backdrop to any production. The shy during sunset takes on the most beautiful and dramatic colors. One year, with the Queen of the Night singing her vengeance aria on stage, lightning could be seen touching down in the distance.
Performance and atmosphere combined make Santa Fe Opera a one of a kind experience that I encourage opera lovers, novices and even detractors to try at least once.