The Santa Fe Opera

I can't imagine a venue that can possibly surpass this beauty. We saw an end of summer Marriage of Figaro with lightning storm backdrop at sunset. The acoustics, the view, the fresh air, the translator screens made an incredible experience . Even my 13 and 11 year old kids left in good spirits, despite their reluctance to attend. Can't wait to return.

We've been going to the Santa Fe Opera for many years, and it has always been a delightful experience. The facilities are beautifully maintained. And the performers are remarkably talented! When you factor in the sheer beauty of the landscape nestled in the mountains, along with the ability to watch the sunset as the curtains rise, there are so many elements that make an evening at SFO such an unforgettable experience. It's worth every penny!

Great place awesome sunset and the show was grt in the open space 😍 i loved the red chilly cake yumm from the cafe.

We attended The Marriage of Figaro at the Santa Fe Opera last Saturday and had a great evening overall. The production felt fresh and kind of experimental. The performance took place on a large rotating platform, and the stage elements like walls and dividers were mobile and repositioned between scenes. Performers or crew would unlock and move them into place, which added a dynamic feel to the transitions. I'm not a musician, but the orchestra and singers all sounded excellent to me. The venue is beautiful. We’ve been a few times, and the views of the surrounding mountains and the sunset never disappoint. The open-air setting is really special, though now and then you might hear loud cars from the highway nearby. After sundown, we even spotted some bats flying above the crowd, which was fun to watch. Seating was generally comfortable, but I found the synthetic leather upholstery made it a bit warm after sitting for a while. Sightlines were still good even from the far side of our row, and the translation screens were easy to read and helpful. We arrived around 5 p.m., giving us time to tailgate with our group before the show. We brought wine, snacks, and a folding table and chairs, and many other groups were doing the same, which created a friendly and festive vibe before the performance. The restrooms were clean and seemed to handle the crowd well during intermission. There were also drink stations offering alcoholic and non-alcoholic options, though I only grabbed water. Every staff member I interacted with was kind and helpful. Getting out afterward took a little while, about 30 minutes, since there was only one way out, and a long line formed through the nearby casino area. It wasn’t a big deal, but something to keep in mind if you're in a rush. Overall, it was a memorable evening and one I’d recommend, especially to anyone curious about trying opera in a unique setting. It might not be for everyone, opera can be long and sometimes slow for newcomers, but the setting, quality of the performance, and overall experience make it worth checking out. Bring a breathable layer if it’s hot, arrive early if you want to picnic, and enjoy the scenery.

The opera is an incredible venue with amazing talent. The tailgating is fun too! A wonderful way to connect with other opera fans.

Views are amazing. Definitely grt there at least 3 hours early if you want to tailgate in a nice spot. Good parking fills up extremely fast, and there are parking attendants guiding you where to park in the lot.

My friends and I, all opera lovers, attended a world class performance of Don Giovanni earlier this week. The voices, staging, and costumes were fabulous. The venue is beautiful. The sides of the theater are open to the elements. To the left a dark cloud-filled sky was pierced by the occasional bolt of lightning. To the right the sunset glowed orange. We had enjoyed our dinner at a picnic table outside the theater, but many people prepare elaborate dinners to eat in the parking lot at tables covered with table clothes - really classy! Do arrive early for your picnic and to get the close by parking. Though I noticed that shuttles transport patrons to far off lots after the show. I hope to see Die Walküre in Santa Fe in 2025.

Absolutely wonderful if you get a chance go! Use the shuttle from one of the Santa Fe hotels - no need to stay at hotel - it's just a P/U location.

I have never been to a true opera but was so happy to be invited to the Apprentice Scenes performed by students that are moving from academics into the professional world of Opera. My daughter's very good friend went to school for Music/Opera and has an incredible voice. She was part of the Apprentice Program for Singers this past summer. This program has had more than 1500 singers participate in the program. When we found out she would perform here, we decided to fly in for the weekend and support her. The theater itself is called the The Crosby Theater as the property was taken over in 1956 by John O. Crosby who then with the help of others found a location on the property that was a natural amphitheater. Construction was then began and this magnificent open air theater was completed. With this being an open air venue, the acoustics are incredible, views are phenomenal and the vibe is exciting. Our seats were more towards the back of the house which I enjoyed providing a full view of the stage and a front row seat to an exquisite New Mexican sunset. The show itself was set up as one act operas and were performed by the apprentices. They featured eight different and uniques scenes from operas such as Hansel and Gretel, La Clemenza Di Tito, Sweeney Todd, Aida, and Hamlet. I had no idea that many of these operas are so old. For example, La Clemenza Di Tito premiered in Germany in 1791. WOW! What I loved most of all were the caption boxes in front of each seat. When an opera is being performed in a foreign language these boxes translate into English the words being sung, thus allowing the listener to fully understand the opera being performed. Pure magic! Restrooms were very clean and snack bar available before the performance is open. Parking is no issue at all with a huge lot in front of the theater. Sustainability was high on the list for the theater during its most recent renovation. The roof collects over 80,000 gallons of rain water annually and delivers the water through underground cisterns which irrigates the property. Happy I was able to enjoy this experience.

Went to see Orfeo at the beautiful outdoor Santa Fe opera. The story where Legendary lovers, Orfeo and Euridice, face sudden death and separation. Yes, a snake caused it. They undertake a perilous journey from the underworld of death back to the world of the living. But one rule must be followed, Orfeo cannot look at Euridice. Tragedy obliged his conviction falters, as he cannot resist and succumbs to the temptation. The new production directed by Yuval Sharon was too avant-garde for my taste. Really did not like the set and costumes and unfortunately starring tenor Rolando Villazón was not there because of an accident. Such a pity as he was discovered in Mexico by his neighbor singing in his shower and became one of the best tenor in the world! So, we hope it is not too serious. Needles to say that for our family and friends, this was a major disappointment, as we travel from Texas to see him.

I will say I'm not huge on opera but this isn't your typical experience. On my second visit to Santa Fe, I saw that The Santa Fe Opera was one of the top attractions in the area on TripAdvisor. What stood out to me is that the opera takes place in an outdoor area with a majestic backdrop. Unfortunately, the opera wasn't in session on the day I could have gone. So we made the most of it and drove to the venue to at least get a peak at what it looks like. To make things difficult, there's a gate a good ways before the actual venue that prevented us from getting up close and personal. The best we could do is look through the gates. Next time, I'll have to experience the real thing. It looks like a memorable experience from the appetizer we got.

This venue is breathtaking, the sunset behind the stage of this open air theater is stunning! I have never gone out of my way to see opera until I saw opera here. I've seen several shows here and have enjoyed them all. Each a different experience but all of them wonderful.

I've never been to an opera. My first, tonight, was Barber of Seville. It was delightful! All the actors were hilarious and their voices were phenomenal. The venue is GORGEOUS! I have to say that the night sky line was often (wonderfully) distracting with an amazing lightning show. I deducted a star because my seat was SO uncomfortable. Though both the back & seat are padded & soft, the bottom kept my knees pointed up, which isn't good for my back & I had to fold up my jacket & put it under me at the back to level it out. I may try to reserve the standing area next time...I think it would be best for my back.

Don't waste your time getting the Shuttle from the Santa Fe Opera. We were at the directed pick up location @ 5:45pm at our hotel. They were a no show at the designated pickup time. We called the box office and were told they had a gps track of the shuttles location and had picked up 8 others and they said it was on us to get our own ride. We ask for a 50% refund and was denied! We will be seeking action against this establishment!

One of the worst opera companies I've ever had the misfortune of interacting with. They turn every opera into some kind of poorly produced, poorly designed woke nightmare. Pandering, unprofessional, some of the worst designed sets I've seen in my life. Turn beautiful operas into some kind of woke slap stick fests with Gap bags and iPhones -- they think they are being very cutting edge and original. They had Isabelle Leonard for Carmen, managed to destroy that as well. And why was Carmen wearing jeans? The venue is fine, singers can vary, the real issue is the woke producers, all which need to be fired -- pronto. They suck! Go see a real opera elsewhere (not in Santa Fe, sadly).

This is a unique and lovely opera house and would have easily rated a solid 5 stars except for one interaction....let me explain 5 stars - there is something magical about enjoying the opera while seeing the glorious sunset glowing behind the theater set.....then later having the moon and stars shine down on you....while feeling the lovely and fresh Santa Fe evening breeze. Absolutely loved this. Now for why I had to deduct one star....when it was time to be seated for the performance, the guy handing out the programs offered it to everyone who went before us but then didn't offer it to us. WHAT THE F**K Was I holding another program in my hands? Nope! In fact, I was holding nothing in my hands. So I just stood there waiting....and waiting....then when it looked like I was holding up the line, I finally I had to just take a program from the stack of programs. At this time, the jerk had the gaul to look offended that I had the nerve to take a program to an opera I PAID for from a person whose ONE job was to offer programs to guests but did NOT offer it to me. I have attended operas and been to opera houses all over the world and had never had this encounter. Not sure what the prick's issue was but he needs to sort himself out.

Oh the opera! We alway love to visit, but Covid put a huge damper on it. Well, not this year, we purchased five tickets as soon as they were available for The Marriage of Figaro. We arrived early and had a beautiful picnic on the ridge. We were glad to see that mask were enforced at all times, yes it's an inconvenience but necessary for the experience. Both my spouse and daughter found gifts in the gift shop. Thank you SFO, we plan to be back next year!!

I went to a show last night with my fiance thanks to Simply Santa Fe, a local lifestyle/travel community.We were given a behind-the-scenes tour, access to the member lounge, and tickets to the dress rehearsal of The Thirteenth Child. The place itself is absolutely beautiful. There are many things to see. The behind the scenes tour could use a little improvement, we got no narration or ideas of where we were going, what we were looking at, etc. Having some sort of guide that narrated would have added to the tour instead of just walking around silently. The member lounge is fantastic! It is a great spot to hang out before, get a heavy handed drink, there are snacks, and a great view. Last night we were graced with the best lightening show I've ever seen from all angles. Most of us were very distracted by it and I'd argue, it was better than the show itself. The Thirteenth Child was lacking for my tastes, but it was a dress rehearsal and a new opera so I'll let others who might have a better take on opera say more about that. I felt that there was more than could be done and many parts were dragged out without much movement, action, or entertainment. The second act is far better than the first. Overall, it's a great venue. It's someplace that should be checked out at least once.

Another magical experience at the Santa Fe opera. We went on back to back nights each night had weather related incidents that flavored the experience. It's monsoon season in NM and both evenings the rains interrupted the shows. Friday night was the Thirteenth Child and as the king was dead and descending into the stage a flash of lightening, a clap of thunder and the startled audience erupted into applause. CRAZY good timing. The during Renee Fleming's performance, which was delayed about 15 minutes due to rain showers before the start of her performance, the winds were blowing her hair back and causing her gown to billow out as if she were about to carry her away. MAGICAL! To summarize, the outdoor experience of the Santa Fe opera is just amazing.

The Santa Fe Opera is the best outdoor venue I have experienced to date, . Our group saw "The Maverick's" on the Monday of Labor Day weekend. Tailgating prior to performance is allowed and even encouraged. Easy access from the Relief Route from Albuquerque, Acoustics were tremendous, Alcoholic beverages available...good selection. Don't think there was a bad seat. Not hard to get out of the parking lot when the event ended. It has beautiful views!!!! Event was not over priced either. I had not realized they hosted any events but operas. Will keep an eye for the future.

While I love Opera, I don't go often due to being cramped into seating, no air flow, long bathroom and bar lines and hard to read translations. The Santa Fe Opera has dealt with all the stuff you hate about going to the Opera. Seats are comfortable. I'm 6'4" 250# and didn't have that "CRAMPED" feeling. No roasting on your seat smelling some old lady perfume that was applied VERY liberally. No stale air or sniffing farts. just lovely breezes to cool you down and freshen the air. No long lines at the restrooms, or bar. Translation system is fantastic. You see it, but you don't SEE it. Santa Fe Opera allows you to enjoy the art, artist, and amazing performances, without the dread of other venues. I'm looking right at you San Francisco Opera!!! Thank You Santa Fe Opera. I know what you do takes countless volunteer hours, hardworking staff and PASSION. Well done!

What a gorgeous place to see an opera. Set outside Santa Fe in the hills, it is an almost magical place. When we got there we tail gated in the parking lot. I loved seeing people in full dress attire eating and drinking wine out of the back of their cars. The facility is beautiful, the seats were comfortable and there is almost no comparison to the view and sunset. It got mildly chilly so I would recommend a light sweater. The opera we saw wasn't our favorite but the setting made up for it!

What an absolutely beautiful space! I recently went to a show at the Santa Fe Opera courtesy of Simply Santa Fe, a local lifestyle/travel community. With this package, our #Instameet group received a behind-the-scenes tour, access to the member lounge, and tickets to the dress rehearsal of "(R)evolution of Steve Jobs". Besides the behind-the-scenes tour, I felt like the package was pretty authentic to the average experience so that's what I'm going to focus on. My favorite part of the evening was taking in how beautiful the Santa Fe Opera is. The architecture and landscaping here are stunning. You can tell that everything is designed to perfectly match the incredible mountain views. It's even more gorgeous by the fact that the venue is outside and the show starts as the sun is setting. One thing I didn't really understand the hype of was tailgating before the show. People brought their own beer and had pizzas delivered. For me it just kind of took away from the magical ambiance I was experiencing, but people seemed to love it so I'm glad that works for them! Overall, I definitely recommend coming here at least once. Tickets may be a little pricey, but the opera offers a significant discount to first customers. It's not too far from Albuquerque and it's something definitely worth the drive.

Came here to see The Shins and was absolutely blown away. First of all you are encouraged to tailgate beforehand, and the scenery is beautiful to look at as you eat and drink. The venue itself is fantastic, and the sound quality was the best I've heard in a long time. Hopefully they have more shows here next year, because it was definitely worth the drive. My new favorite venue in the state.

The gift shop doesn't have Debussy mugs. Rlly disappointed. They only have poser mugs like Mozart's. Smh. Otherwise everything else is every good.

Highly recommended for even non-opera lovers (like me)! It is a true experience. The experience starts with tailgating or picnicking, and then mingling (with masks) in the beautifully designed outdoor areas of the opera house. The inside itself is also beautiful, with open sides that I admit glancing out of watch the distant lightening. Advice - don't get the box meal that you can pre-order from the Four Seasons. Not worth it - go to Whole Foods! We were there for opening night of the world premier of Lord of Cries. It caught my attention, but wouldn't say this modern production (even though the setting was in Ancient Greece and Victorian England!) was our taste. Regardless, we loved our night at the opera!

Bottom line: GO! My husband and I went to see Madame Butterfly on a Friday night. We purchased a tailgating "picnic basket" ($22) and a souvenir bottle of water ($3) with our ticket ahead of time and thought that it was delicious. Many patrons had full tailgating set-ups, but we sufficed by finding an open bench. Come prepared for all weather. It started to sprinkle and there is nowhere to hide unless you enter the theater and take your seats (the joy of a stunning open-air theater). Our seats were in the front of the upper balcony, and we had an excellent view - the upper decks are true stadium seating. Subtitles are on the seat back in front of you. The performance was excellent and earned a standing ovation.

This was my first visit to the Santa Fe Opera. I did have some expectations, but did not know what to expect. First, let me say the experience blew my expectations away. Here is what I came away with. The venue is incredible. It seats 2,200 people, there is no bad seat, and the seats themselves are very comfortable. The whole thing lasted about 3 hours. There was one intermission of 20 minutes in Madame Butterfly, which I understand is fairly standard. It was polished, professional and engaging. It helped to go to the preview lecture. It too was polished professional and engaging. It provided the nuances of the backstory to the opera and insights to the opera itself that really helped this Kansas farm boy!

This is a beautiful theatre. The open air on the sides with views of the mountains is breathtaking. Went to see the apprentices scenes. Amazing music and awesome sound. Everyone should try to catch an evening here. FYI get here early!

I have always wanted to stop here and take a tour. Unfortunately they did not oblige us and turned us away. I was very saddened by this because really how long would it have taken. It was our 30 year wedding anniversary trip. It would have been one of the highlights of our trip. I would love to give you five stars but my broken heart just will not let me.

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.

OK, SO MY FAVORITE MUSIC IS BLUEGRASS, BUT I'M NO PRUDE . . . I'M PRETTY OPEN TO ALMOST ALL KINDS. EVEN OPERA! One of my good friends is about as far on the other end of the scale (www.myspace.com/zezo_onehttp://www.myspace.com/zezo_one) as you can get . . . . so trust me, I do appreciate extreme music on both ends of whatever scale you are using. His electronic music makes hard rock sound like a lullaby. But, I digress . . . . . OPERA, oh my . . . once again my beloved NM shines! The Santa Fe Opera has the unique flavor of the South West that no other opera house in the world can match. It is world class opera, but under the New Mexico sky. The seats are covered, but yet the audience is also directly under the stars. Open air theater. The elevation here is 7,600', so the evening and nights are chilly, even in mid-summer. Bring a wrap. The 2008 season will include *Falstaff*, *The Marriage of Figaro*, *Radamisto*, *Billy Bud* and *Adriana Matar*. The performances are held just during June, July & August. Tickets are $26 - $180. Worth every penny. There are substantial discounts for subscriptions. In addition, there are two evenings that are Apprentice Scenes - "The Stars of Tomorrow" perform fully staged opera scenes for just $15 for adults and $5 for kiddos. Reserved seats, of course. All this just 7 miles north of Santa Fe in the pinon covered hills. Too bad it is summer, or you'd get a whiff of the pinon wood fireplaces burning in close-by homes. Nothing more than opera and pinon to tell you that you are definitely in the LAND OF ENCHANTMENT! One of the things I like about this Opera House is that it offers Prelude Talks, Preview Buffets, Translations at seatside, Shuttle Bus Service, Backstage Tours. . . . . and FREE Parking. Good seats sell out fast, so if you're planning on being there and want to experience this remarkable music venue, get you tickets now. It is not too early. I'VE ALREADY GOT MINE. SEE YOU THERE!

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).

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 3rd 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!

Quick look rating: 5/5 Quality, 5/5 Service, 5/5 Experience Bucket list place! Great little hidden place here! Break out you bucket list to add this place! If you're trying to get on your significant others good side, start here, but days ahead of time! Get several programs so everyone can read and study what opera is going to be seen! If a person knows ahead of time and can do just even a little research, well, it is just that more enjoyable! This event is an open air event! The main stage is to the west, the air is usually nice, cool and fresh! Stick a small umbral in you're car just incase! I have seen, when storms move in and the actors/singers are wonderful and can improvise wonderfully at a moments notice! The staff is wonderful here as well! If you want to hit it out of the ballpark, Get reservations ahead of time, tell the waiter what time the opera starts. Bottle of wine with a nice dinner and plenty of time. Show up early, have an adult beverage with your hopefully bestie by now and in the open air, it is just this side of heaven! Get there ahead of time, so worth it! "Opera in the wild!" Yes, please!

World class opera in a gorgeous venue. People travel from around the country to come here for this. If you're a local, you'd be remiss in not checking the SF Opera out at least once.

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.

A great opera experience. The open air venue is amazing. I could see lightning miles away in the Santa Fe summer sky. The grounds are also wonderful for a picnic. Parking is easy. It's a quick 15 minutes from downtown Santa Fe. The quality of the performances is equal to that of any other major opera company, but made more majestic by the magic of the venue. Our seats on the front row of the balcony allowed us to see the magic of the lightning. The bar had a good drink selection. I'm really glad I experienced the opera here.

BEWARE of the Santa Fe Opera's Company "Nazi" like Ushers dressed in Black! On or about August 6, 2016, of the evening during the performance of "Don Giovanni" Act I, an elderly defenseless woman of 75-years-old; and an American with a disability, handicapped, confined to a wheelchair and in a very fragile state, both medically and physically was DEJECTED for no just cause from her seat, MZR/ MH Seat 8, before the first intermission. Towards the end of Act One, while the performance was still engaged, an usher dressed all in black wearing a silly headset came bursting in and caused a huge disruption of the patrons and starting yelling claiming there was smoking and taking pictures with a camera phone. There was no smoking nor any phones present. She was visibly upset, laboring to breath until the doctor sitting to her right, out of his concern came to her assistance. Because of what this "jerk" did to her peaceful state of mind with his unprovoked outburst and attack during the performance, for which he could have waited until intermission was reprehensible. The Opera Company's malfeasance far outweighs anything this usher suspected or perhaps that was wrongfully reported on. The Opera Company's ill-trained staff was entirely wrong, mean-spirited and lacking any compassion for an elderly defenseless woman confined to a wheelchair. Perhaps this is based on the ignorance of youth or a selfie-selfish generation working in concert to imposed their PC beliefs on us as a whole. Complaint within the United States Courts, District of New Mexico/ Civil Rights Division/ Discrimination of an American with Disabilities, Title III/ Harassment/ Assault & Battery and Abuse of a Disabled Elderly and Handicapped Person, will be forthcoming.

Let the buyer beware; they do not stand by their promises. We specifically relied on this assurance from the Opera's website when we decided to purchase 6 tickets to the August 1 production of "Cosi Fan Tutti." There was no translation. We were not the first group to walk out on this performance, and the opera did not stand by its assurance that language would not be an issue. We tried to get some form of refund both at the box office (as did other people in attendance) and after the performance, to no avail. I was incredibly disappointed, both in the performance and the Opera's behavior.

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.

I've been coming here each summer for the past 4 or 5 years, and it is, by far, my favorite Opera house. Intimate setting with exquisite New Mexican sunsets in the background and outstanding acoustics. Tailgating prior to the show is a tradition and a hallmark of this venue. We always order the picnic meals - they're delicious and satisfying. Parking is never a problem and attire ranges from jeans to tuxedos/gowns. Anything goes in this relaxed atmosphere, but don't let that fool you - the set designs, performances and orchestra are exceptional.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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!!

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.

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.

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

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!

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!

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.

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."

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.