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! read more

We did a trip to Santa Fe just to visit this opera house and see 3 performances in late August (Candide, Madam Butterfly and Ariadne auf Naxos). Really nice venue right off the highway 84, which is about a 6-10min drive from town. I thought the staff wearing the ponchos was a nice surprise. Gender neutral restrooms are available in the food court area and in the common areas were very nice to see. Parking is good, as well as being free, but getting out at the end of the performance was a bit unorganized. The seating is very comfortable with plenty of leg room. For an outdoor venue, the seating areas are covered from the weather, but many of the common corridors and stairwells are not. I highly recommend a jacket and some type of rain protection (if rain is in the forecast), because it can get chilly after the sunset. If you get a chance, take the backstage tour offered in the mornings. Also; Try to do one of the pre-talk sessions (6pm and 7pm), because they will give you an idea of what is going on during the show. read more

The Santa Fe Opera - Entrance - Performing Arts Near Me - Santa Fe, New Mexico

What a great experience. We came here for the Mariachi. Beautiful venue, good parking, helpful staff. The acoustics were perfect and the view of the sunset just before the show was a nice surprise. read more

Beautiful venue in open air with a view towards the sunset.

Just attended the Ringo Starr concert last night and had an unpleasant experience with some event staff. My wife was taking pics just like many others sitting around us but we were confronted by 2 male staffers who rather rudely told her to quit , they assumed, video taping and taking pics, told us it wasn't allowed, even though as I said...others were doing the exact same thing around us ! I even held my camera up just to look through the view finder and was immediately told not to take pics , which I wasn't ! Why they picked on us is a mystery, maybe because I am an old gringo and didn't sit well with them. I think the association should enlighten these 2 rude male staffers and either educate them into most devices take pictures...mainly phones not just cameras or fire them. I find Santa fe has really lost it's charm and civility , especially when it comes to older boomers people such as myself . Considering most people who live in Santa Fe are older than 60 ! Might be back but probably not, considering it is in a beautiful setting there. Just some advice...get better staff that don't insult good paying customers the ways these 2 did. read more

This summer, I accompanied the opera class at the Bread Loaf School of English to three of the operas here in Santa Fe. We attended the operas in style, stopping by the Whole Foods for picnic foods first so that we could tail gate in the parking lot before the show. I feel that my Santa Fe Opera experience has been pretty complete: in addition to tail gating, I've scalped a ticket, interviewed fellow tailgaters for an experimental radio piece I produced this summer, and danced at the 'opening night ball.' The three productions I saw were Verdi's "Falstaff" (opening night), Mozart's "Le Nozze di Figaro," and Benjamin Britten's "Billy Budd." I really wanted to adore the "Figaro," as it is my favorite opera, and I've even was in a production of it in college. However, the Santa Fe production fell flat. While the woman who played Cherubino was incredible (I don't care what the NY Times has to say about her), she was not able to carry the entire show. The entire show lacked energy. I felt as if the cast's overall feeling was, "Ho-hum, this is Mozart. We've all been here and done that." And what was with all the boob-grabbing? The Count was constantly hoisting poor Susannah around by her chest. This might have been effective if the overall production had been edgy and interesting, but in this very traditional production, it felt forced and uncomfortable. If I would have to choose a favorite, I would have to say "Falstaff." I was completely unfamiliar with Verdi's last opera, and it is definitely not typical Verdi. The opera is both highly farcical and slightly Wagnerian in construction, with arias that last no more than a couple of minutes. I thought that the cast was spirited, and the fugue at the end was thrilling. I also enjoyed the set. In the Fords' house, for instance, there were trophy antlers and horns adorning the walls, which I found clever and hilarious. The set for "Billy Budd" was pretty amazing too, with its raising stage to reveal the belly of the ship. The young novice role had an incredible voice, and Billy himself was talented and HOT. Overall, I am glad that my 6 weeks in Santa Fe included 3 operas. Are the operas the quality you have at the Met or the Lyric in Chicago? No. But the setting, with the stunning sunsets--or the appropriate lightning show we had for "Billy Budd"--and the tail gating definitely make it something special. My only wish is that I could have seen Peter Sellar's production of "Adrianna Mater." This past year I saw a concert production of a Santa Fe original by Osvaldo Golijov, "Aindamar," and was impressed by the new sounds coming out of Santa Fe. Unfortunately, those new voices and composers have to be funded by sometimes lackluster standards like the "Figaro." read more

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 5th 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 5th 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 4th 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. read more

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 pinon 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. read more

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. read more

The Santa Fe Opera - Performing Arts Near Me - Santa Fe, New Mexico

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. read more

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! read more

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! read more

Never before have I been to an opera where I could see the sunset while watching the opera! This opera house is a sound engineering marvel. The sides are open so you can see the sunset and yet the sound is beautifully carried throughout the whole structure. You do need to bring a warm coat just in case it gets a little windy, though I didn't end up needing mine. It was a truly exquisite experience! read more

Great musicians, great staging, excellent venue.

I cannot begin to describe how horribly my friend and I were treated at this venue by the bar staff. Upon ordering a beer when my friend and I asked to pay seperately, we were yelled at by the bar tender "you're telling me you guys are friends and don't pay together?!" who was the angry middle aged woman who works there, she made a huge scene because she was upset she had to process two different payments and the reason for that is unknown because a TON of people were paying for their own transactions. On top of that when I was paying in cash she yelled at me again for not paying the full amount which she did not count the money correctly when I told her to count what she had in her hands she did, noticed it was ALL there scoffed, didn't apologize and then she had the nerve to not give me my change which was a dollar but for her to assume that was her tip after how she treated us us absurd. We felt discriminated against and embarrassed. I then took initiative to email the opera house in regards to the incident, and til this day I was left without a response or a simple apology. I was super excited to go see a concert here and left super dissatisfied. I do not recommend going to this venue at all. read more

Excellent performance of Le Nozze di Figaro on 7/5. There seriously is not a bad seat in the house. Even with a little rain, we were dry and comfortable in this amphitheater-like setting. Only drawbacks were (1) lines for restroom or bar at intermission are loooooooong, so long you can either take care of business or have a cocktail, but you'd never have time for both; (2) getting out of parking lot was a mess. Aside from that, I highly recommend the experience - magical! read more