New productions of Puccini’s La bohème and Verdi’s Rigoletto, a company premiere of Wagner’s Die Walküre, a revival of Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro , Britten’s The Turn of the Screw, the Apprentice Scenes concert and a concert at the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival.
Private lectures, superb meals, Inn of the Anasazi.
Santa Fe is one of our favourite destinations, and the Santa Fe Opera Festival is one of our favourite (and most popular) tours—proof that you needn’t travel across the globe for a very special opera getaway. What makes Santa Fe different is how wonderful it feels just being there – something about the magical combination of perfect weather, breathtaking landscape, charming Southwest architecture and friendly locals, as well as the scores of shops and galleries that make it impossible to walk the historic streets of this city without a smile on your face. And of course the quality of the performances that take place each night and the quality of the venue itself, the glorious mesa-top Crosby Theatre, is often a surprise to attendees.
2025 marks the 68th season for the Santa Fe Festival, and an exciting one it is. Keeping in harmony with the company’s time-tested programming model of a balanced and varied repertory of new, lesser-performed and standard works, we will see: a new production of Puccini’s La bohème directed by James Robinson; a new production of Verdi’s Rigoletto by Julien Chavaz in an international co-production with Irish National Opera and Opera Zuid; a revival of 2021’s beloved production of Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro directed by Laurent Pelly; Britten’s The Turn of the Screw, staged by Louisa Muller in a Canadian Opera Company production originated at Garsington Opera; Wagner’s masterpiece Die Walküre, presented by the SFO for the first time in a new production by director Melly Still. The popular Apprentice Scenes featuring the opera’s singing and technical apprentices are reimagined to provide a wider range of performance and training opportunities for tomorrow’s stars. Our performance on August 10 honors the longtime tradition of staged scenes from the repertoire.
As always, we include the Apprentice Scenes evening, a noontime concert at the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, and we embark on tours that explore and celebrate the regional indigenous culture.
Deluxe accommodation for 7 nights at the Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi, located just steps from the Historic Plaza.
With private lectures by Oliver Prezant and tour direction/guiding by Peter Camara, no one does Santa fe better.
To reserve your space, click here.
ITINERARY
Monday, August 4
Upon arrival in Albuquerque Sunport (or Santa Fe Airport) you are met and transferred to the elegant Rosewood, ideally-located near the Plaza. 18.45 This evening, we gather for introductions and then make the short walk to our Welcome Dinner at the hotel.
Tuesday, August 5
10.00 Following breakfast (included each day), depart on a private “hidden gems” tour of Santa Fe, including historic sites near The Plaza.
17.00 Tonight we walk to dinner at La Plazuela and then depart by private coach to the Santa Fe Opera for Britten's The Turn of the Screw.
Based on the 1898 novella by Henry James, the story follows a young governess who is sent to a remote country estate to care for two young children. As disturbing events occur, she grapples with increasing paranoia that plunges everyone into a realm of psychological suspense. With scenery and costumes by Christopher Oram and lighting by Malcolm Rippeth, audiences will be immersed in a haunting atmosphere that mirrors the eerie tension of the narrative.
The Guardian called Muller’s production of The Turn of the Screw at Garsington, “A truly great achievement, devastating and unforgettable,” and named the production one of the Top Ten Classical Music Performances of the Year. As Muller’s first international production, it marked a major turning point in her career by also winning the prestigious Royal Philharmonic Society Award for Best Opera Production. Muller writes, “The Turn of the Screw is a work of utter perfection: spine-tingling, thought-provoking and heart-wrenching in equal measure. This production was a major highlight of my career thus far, and I feel lucky for the opportunity to build it again with new artists and to share it with a new audience.”
New Zealand-born conductor Gemma New takes the podium for her company debut. The cast features former Apprentice singer and soprano Jacquelyn Stucker as the Governess, Christine Rice in her company debut in the role of Mrs. Grose, soprano Wendy Bryn Harmer as Miss Jessel and tenor Brenton Ryan as Peter Quint/Prologue.
Wednesday, August 6
10.00 This morning we enjoy a private opera talk with Oliver Prezant in the hotel's Library.
11.30 We then walk to the St. Francis Auditorium for a midday concert at the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival (1 hr; TBA).
17.00 Tonight we dine at The Bull Ring prior to La bohème at Santa Fe Opera.
Puccini’s operatic treasure and audience favorite, La bohème, is set in the vibrant playground of 1920s Paris by director James Robinson. In this golden age of artistic revolution, Puccini’s timeless tale of love, longing and sacrifice takes on resonance anew. With scenery by Allen Moyer, costume design by Constance Hoffman and lighting by Duane Schuler, audiences can expect a visual feast that complements the emotional depth of a work that has captivated in every medium: the opera house, on Broadway and in film.
Conductor Iván López-Reynoso leads a talented international cast, with several making company debuts: Chinese tenor Long Long is Rodolfo, American soprano Emily Pogorelc is Musetta and Mexican-American baritone Efraín Solís is Schaunard. Polish baritone Szymon Mechliński makes both his American and company debut in the role of Marcello. American soprano and former Apprentice singer Sylvia D’Eramo sings Mimí, American bass Soloman Howard returns to the SFO stage as Colline and American bass Kevin Burdette portrays Benoît and Alcindoro.
Thursday, August 7
10.00 Today we enjoy a guided tour to Los Alamos, site of the Manhattan Project. Back to the hotel by 14.00.
17.00 This evening we walk to dinner at Sazón prior to Rigoletto at Santa Fe Opera.
Through the omnipresent figure of Rigoletto, jester to the Duke of Mantua, portrayed as both character and ubiquitous mask, audiences are invited to explore themes of desire, betrayal and the relentless forces of fate that shape the lives of those caught in its grip. Making his Santa Fe Opera directorial debut is Julien Chavaz, General Director of the Theater Magdeburg, with a production that draws inspiration from the rich allure of Renaissance paintings and the strange ambiance of the circus world. Sets by Jamie Vartan, costumes by Jean-Jacques Delmotte and lighting by Rick Fisher work together to create a powerful and dreamlike environment. Nicole Morel serves as movement director and the chorus master is Susanne Sheston.
Italian conductor Carlo Montanaro in his company debut leads the Santa Fe Opera Orchestra and a dynamic cast. Spanish baritone Gerardo Bullón makes his American debut in the title role. Cuban-American soprano and 2024 Richard Tucker Career Grant recipient Elena Villalón makes her role debut as Gilda. Former Apprentice singer and tenor Duke Kim undertakes the role of the Duke. Also making American debuts are bass Stephano Park in the role of Sparafucile and mezzo Marcela Rahal as Maddalena. Former Apprentice singer Le Bu sings Monterone.
Friday, August 8
09.00 This morning we offer a guided tour at the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum.
14.00 Following lunch at leisure, we have our final talk with Oliver Prezant at the hotel.
17.00 This evening we dine at Sassella prior to Die Walküre at Santa Fe Opera.
The 2025 Season is made complete with the company premiere of Wagner’s Die Walküre, which marks only the third Wagner opera in the company’s 67-year history and follows on the heels of two highly acclaimed productions: Tristan und Isolde (2022) and The Flying Dutchman (2023).
English director Melly Still makes her Santa Fe Opera directorial debut. She asks, “What was the ripple that created the ripples? Where will it end?” These questions guided the thinking of her team in developing a new production that delves right into the action: a barren land where rules no longer apply, corruption and manipulation are at large and those in power are driven by fear and insecurity. The answer to an existential crisis trickled down from the Gods is that only when there is real love does nature respond. And so, the drama centers around Brünnhilde’s evolving moral compass. Still adds, “She is determined to dismantle the corruption she is wrapped up in. Is Brünnhilde the hope of the future?”
Spanish designer Ana Inés Jabares-Pita oversees scenic and costume design. Malcolm Rippeth returns to design the lighting and Scottish video designer Tim Reid makes his company debut as the video and projection designer. Choreography is by Tinovimbanashe Sibanda in her company debut.
Conductor James Gaffigan returns to the podium to lead a stellar cast that includes three-time Grammy-Award winning bass-baritone Ryan Speedo Green in his role debut as Wotan. American tenor Jamez McCorkle makes his role and company debut as Siegmund and Lithuanian-born soprano Vida Miknevičiūtė makes her American and company debut as Sieglinde. Bass Soloman Howard portrays Hunding and former SFO Apprentice singer Sarah Saturnino makes her company debut in the role of Fricka. The 2016 Richard Tucker Award winner Tamara Wilson returns to sing Brünnhilde following her praiseworthy interpretation of Isolde in 2022. Jessica Faselt makes her company and role debut as Helmvige, Wendy Bryn Harmer performs Ortlinde and former Apprentice singer Gretchen Krupp is Waltraute.
Saturday, August 9
10.00 This morning we meet in the lobby and depart by coach for a tour of the Santuario de Chimayo and the Santo Nino de Atocha Chapel, and, time permitting, an historic Trading Post.
17.00 Tonight we dine at Santacafé before returning to the opera house for The Marriage of Figaro.
Back by popular demand! Mozart’s The Marriage Figaro, a revival of French director Laurent Pelly’s stylish production, opens on June 28. Originally brought to life in the 2021 Season under challenging circumstances, Pelly directed remotely from Paris due to COVID-19 restrictions and visa regulations. In 2025, the production team will finally realize their production in person.
Set in the late 1930s just before World War II, scenic designs by Pelly’s longtime collaborator Chantal Thomas further enhance the production’s aesthetic. The opera occurs within a 24-hour timeframe, with the action beginning and ending at the same hour; thus a turntable resembles a large clock, with rotating oversized brass gears. Over the course of the opera, the characters are swept away by forces stronger than themselves and by Act IV, all falls apart, including the clock. Noted Fred Cohn for Opera News, “You could marvel at the production team’s cleverness, as the turntable whizzed around and pieces of set went through intricate rearrangements.”
With costumes conceived by Pelly himself, Jean-Jacques Delmotte serves as Associate Costume Designer and internationally recognized lighting designer Duane Schuler returns to Santa Fe to further illuminate this beautiful and timeless production. Susanne Sheston is the chorus master.
Santa Fe Opera Music Director Harry Bicket conducts the international cast. He writes, “I am thrilled that we are able to finally put Laurent Pelly’s new production of The Marriage of Figaro on our stage after all the restrictions placed on us before. With a fabulous cast and Mozart’s unbeatable music, it is truly a marriage made in heaven.” The Santa Fe Opera is proud to present the following American debuts: Italian bass Riccardo Fassi in the title role, French baritone Florian Sempey as Count Almaviva and Spanish soprano Marina Monzó as the Countess. Chinese mezzo Hongni Wu sings Cherubino and American soprano and former Santa Fe Opera Apprentice singer Liv Redpath sings Susanna. Three more company debuts are noted with Maurizio Muraro as Bartolo, mezzo Lucy Schaufer as Marcellina and Steven Cole as Don Basilio.
Sunday, August 10
10.00 This morning we explore the shops and galleries on Canyon Road, with some of the finest native and contemporary art in the region.
17.00 Tonight we enjoy our Farewell Dinner at Geronimo, one of Santa Fe's best restaurants, before returning to the opera house for the Apprentice Scenes concert.
Monday, August 11
Transfers to Albuquerque or Santa Fe Airport are included and will be advised on-site.
TOUR INCLUDES
Top Category seats for 5 operas and 2 concerts
7 nights Deluxe accommodation at the Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi
Full breakfast daily, plus 7 dinners
Private tours as listed
Airport-hotel transfers
On-site Tour Direction
Comprehensive Tour Guidebook
FLIGHTS
Flights are not included in tour pricing. Return flights should be booked to either Albuquerque (ABQ) or Santa Fe (SAF) for arrival on August 4, departure on August 11.
TRANSFERS
We provide airport/rail station—hotel transfers for arrivals and departures within within 3 days of the start/end of our tour. We also provide transfers for group meals and performances that are beyond a 10 minute walk.
MOBILITY
There is minimal walking with some stairs and eneven terrain during the guided tours. As for all of our tours, we are happy to accommodate you regardless of your mobility level. Please make clear your mobility concerns at the time of registration. We provide transfers for group meals and performances that are beyond a 10 minute walk.
INSURANCE
We strongly recommend that all tour members purchase cancellation insurance upon registration. We can assist you with this, though you are welcome to purchase a policy at your own discretion. For more information about our travel insurance, click here.
Your Tour Director
Peter Camara
Peter is a professional guide with 35 + years experience who has provided engaging cultural, historical, and educational tours on all seven continents. Calling Santa Fe home since 1998, Peter was drawn here by the deep richness of people, cultures, traditions, history, art, architecture, and cuisine. It is through this passion that Peter shares and showcases Santa Fe – weaving a true understanding of Santa Fe today from the past we have journeyed.