Please click on the link above for specifics for each individual trip. Registration forms can be downloaded from each trip’s page.
Words from past tour participants:
"Larry has the unique ability to convey the wonder and beauty of opera to anyone, including both the
newcomer and the person who has been going to opera over a lifetime. Using video and audio excerpts,
he can take the newest opera or the oldest “chestnut” and get you excited about it. Every year we have
discovered something new and have never been overwhelmed with the technical."
— Phil S., New Orleans, LA
"Larry does a great job of balancing excellent information, programs and arrangements with enough free
time for folks to do their own thing with quality at a reasonable cost. The program attracts a fine group of
participants."
— Keith O., Elmhurst, IL
"The opera "adventure" was great on all levels--perfect for amateur and professional alike!"
— Marilyn M., Oberlin, OH
"I enjoyed the classes as much as the performances. Larry is a talented, energetic, articulate (and
humorous!) teacher. In addition to the musical content of each opera, he presents the history, backstory,
and even occasional bits of insider scuttlebutt about past productions, performers, etc."
— Jeff M., Miami, FL
"I look forward to being a participant all year. We are a group of people that enjoy and love opera. We are thankful for your great expertise and leadership and always welcome new people. I’m thankful I found this experience!"
— Joyce R., Colorado Springs, CO
"Having participated in the interactive opera discussions focused on the specific performance of the day hosted by Larry Axelrod during some six successive years in Santa Fe as well as a recent trip to Berlin, I can say they enhance the understanding and enjoyment of the opera experience from Baroque to contemporary. A loyal following share my opinions!
— Don M., Philadelphia, PA"
Like us on Facebook
Opera Adventures! Great performances. Great places. Great people.
Nothing equals live performance in some of the best-known and beautiful venues in the world! The Santa Fe Opera, Komische Oper, Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Opéra de Paris, Deutsche Staatsoper, and English National Opera evoke images of beautiful scenery, legendary music venues and, most importantly, superb music making.
Travel with like-minded enthusiasts on sensibly-priced trips to cultural capitals. Enjoy classes that will introduce that evening’s opera. Explore these wonderful places during your free time. It’s a winning combination that makes for an enriching, fun and memorable journey!
About the trips
Each opera adventure will include a combination of day tours, both optional and included, and free time during which you can get to know the great places we visit. In addition, to get the most out of the memorable performances we will attend, there is an educational component to every trip. On days when we attend a performance, from approximately 9 AM to noon, we will have a class to watch DVDs, listen to CDs and learn about that evening’s opera. There will be ample time for discussion and questions. As some of these operas are out of the ordinary, the class provides a valuable resource for appreciation.
About your instructor
Larry Axelrod has traveled to four continents for fun and culture. He has taught at the Music Center of the North Shore (now Music Institute of Chicago), different Elderhostel venues and Renasan. He taught many different classes over the course of fifteen years at Ghost Ranch Santa Fe, including more than a decade of opera classes. He currently teaches at Columbia College in Chicago.
Larry is a composer, pianist and conductor, whose musical activities have taken him around the United States and Europe. As a composer, He has had works done by CUBE Contemorary Chamber Ensemble, Chicago Composers’ Consortium, Pinotage, The Lincoln Trio, The Duo Ahlert/Schwab, the Ensemble JungeMusik Berlin and The Verdi String Quartet in recent seasons. In the dual capacities of pianist and composer, he presented many all-Mazurka programs around the United States and also in Europe and South Africa. His compositions have been performed on composers’ festival concerts around the United States.