The 2023 Season
"The Santa Fe Opera is renowned worldwide for its contribution to a living art form, and for the passion it inspires in performers and audiences alike.
Opera Adventure 2023!
July 30 - August 5, 2023
The Flying Dutchman — Wagner
Tosca — Puccini
Pelleas et Melisande — Debussy
Rusalka — Dvorak
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CLASSICS AND A LOT OF WATER!
JULY 30-AUGUST 5, 2023
This year is lost at sea, lost in the woods, politically implicated and politically inept! The high desert will see the arrival of a famous ship - The Flying Dutchman. Nicholas Brownlee will be in the title role, with Elza van den Heever as Senta. Perennial favorite Tosca will feature Angel Blue in the title role with Joshua Guerrero as Cavaradossi. Debussy’s delicate and mysterious Pelleas will appear for the first time since 1977. Ailyn Perez will be the title role and Robert Watson the prince in Dvorak’s dark and moving Rusalka, a company premiere for the SFO!
Above: Bass-baritone Nicholas Brownlee has the title role in Wagner's "Flying Dutchman." Brownless is a first prize winner of the Hans Gabor Belvedere Singing Competition, winner of the Zarzuela prize at Operalia, and The Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions grand prize winner. Brownlee has been described as “charismatic and charming” (New York Times) with a “handsome mahogany tone” and a “starry future in store” (The New Yorker).
About your Instructor
Larry Axelrod has taught at different Elderhostel venues, The Newberry Library, Ghost Ranch Santa Fe, and Columbia College in Chicago. Larry is a composer, pianist and conductor, whose musical activities have taken him around the United States, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. As a composer, Mr. Axelrod has had works done by Nois Saxophone Quartet, London Sylvan Ensemble, The Chicago Composers Orchestra, and The Lincoln Trio. His compositions have been performed on composers’ festival concerts around the United States.
For more information on this trip please visit www.operaadventures.com and click on "opera travel" or call Larry at (773) 680-8811.
About the Class
The operas we will be attending are: Monday, July 31 - Flying Dutchman (Wagner) Tuesday, August 1 - Tosca (Puccini) Thursday, August 3 - Pelleas et Melisande (Debussy) Friday, August 4 - Rusalka (Dvorak) Wednesday, August 2 will be an open day.
Above: Elza van den Heever has been honored with the title of Chevalier by France’s Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. With origins attributed to the Order of Saint Michael from 1469, The Ordre des Arts et des Lettres is an order of France established in 1957 by the Minister of Culture that aims to recognize significant contributions to the arts, literature, or the propagation of these fields. Ms. van den Heever joins a select group of world-class artists who’ve received this great distinction including Tim Burton, Cate Blanchett, and Philip Glass.
Each morning from 9 AM to noon, we will have a class to watch DVD performances, listen to CDs and learn about that evening’s opera. There will be time for discussion and questions. Vigorous class participation is encouraged! The class will be held in the meeting room of the Sage Inn, across from the breakfast area.
Lovely lunches will be catered to the nearby dining room immediately after the class.
All performances start at 8:00 PM. There are pre-opera lectures in Stieren Orchestra Hall on the opera grounds each night that begin at 7:00 PM.
Please note:
buying the ticket for the optional Wednesday, August 2 performance (Monteverdi/Muhly - Orfeo) will be up to each individual. A link to the opera’s website is provided below for your convenience.
Useful Links:
Sage Inn
The Santa Fe Opera
City of Santa Fe
Roadrunner
Hotel and Amenities
Our hotel will be the Sage Inn. It is just six blocks from the historic Plaza and across from the Railyard Park.
Parking is free for guests in the ample parking lot. A hearty complimentary breakfast is served in the main building from 6:30 AM to 10 AM. The hotel has a shuttle available to take you most places of interest in town if needed. All rooms have complimentary wireless internet access and there are computers in the lobby available for guest use as well. The hotel also has a pool.
Above: Huw Montague Rendall is playing Pelleas in Pelleas et Melisande. One of the most exciting talents to have emerged in recent years, British baritone Huw Montague Rendall has already made hugely acclaimed debuts on some of the world’s most important stages such as Royal Opera House, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Opera National de Paris, Festival d’Aix en Provence, Salzburg and Glyndebourne Festivals, earning rapturous acclaim for his compelling artistry, stage craft and musicianship.
About your arrival
Arrival at the Sage Inn will be on July 30, 2023. Hotel rooms are assured at 4 PM but may be available for earlier check in. The front desk will be happy to hold your luggage if you arrive before your room is ready. We will have a short get-together in the evening at 7 PM just to meet each other and talk about the week. Check out will be no later than 11AM on Saturday, August 5.
Transportation to the Opera
You may choose to get to the opera on your own. There is a large lot with free parking there. For those not renting a car, we can arrange transportation up to the opera with other members of the class. This very friendly group is always happy to help. Alternatively, you can book with one of the local transportation services in town, such as Roadrunner. (see links...)
Above: Hailed by The New York Times as “a beautiful woman who commands the stage” and “a major soprano,” Ailyn Pérez is in demand at the world’s leading opera houses and cultural capitals. As Opera News observes, “The phrase ‘an embarrassment of riches’ might have been invented to describe the combination of talents that belong to Ailyn Pérez … who truly seems to have it all.” Internationally celebrated for her signature artistry, as the winner of the 2012 Richard Tucker Award she became the first Hispanic recipient in the award’s history.
Transportation to/from Albuquerque
If you are arriving at the Albuquerque International Airport, there are several options for transportation to Santa Fe. Many people rent cars in order to be able to see more of New Mexico on their time outside of class. However the Railrunner, the train connection between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, and the group shuttles are also popular.
www.railrunner.com
www.sandiashuttle.com
Fees and fee schedule
Double occupancy will be $1850 per person. Single occupancy will be $2450. This includes: four opera tickets, six nights hotel stay, daily breakfast, four lunches, one dinner. A 50% deposit ($925 per person double, $1225 single) will hold your place. The balance will be due 60 days in advance (June 7, 2023).
Cancellation policy:
Before June 27, a full refund minus a $25 administrative fee will be issued. Before July 7, a 50% refund will be issued. Before July 17, a 25% refund will be issued. Any cancellation later than July 17, no refund will be issued.
Not included:
Gratuities for hotel staff, five dinners, one lunch, all airfare, transportation costs to/from the airport and to/from the opera.
Registration
To register for Sante Fe Opera Adventure 2023, click on the
link here and download the registration form. Payment will be electronic only. I can accept Zelle or take a credit card through PayPal. Please email the completed registration form to larry223@aol.com and indicate your preferred means of payment. My US number is still active, so calling me to give the credit card number is possible.