In its 64th season, The Santa Fe Opera continues to excel and surprise its loyal base of opera aficionados who return year after year to this magnificent setting in New Mexico’s High Desert.
Its ambitious mandate is to perform five full operas, typically drawing one or two from a vast store of successful existing productions, mixing in a world or US premiere and then presenting two or three interpretations entirely new to the Santa Fe Opera audience. Five composers telling their own unique stories that focus on always relevant themes, with world class directorial talent, musicians and vocal artists coming together for a few summer weeks to work their magic, delight and sometimes challenge those privileged to be present on one of those memorable evenings.
This season includes established works from Mozart, Rossini, Dvořák and Wagner, the latter being represented for only the second time in more than thirty years. The staging of M. Butterfly from Huang Ruo, based on David Henry Hwang’s Pulitzer-Prize finalist Broadway play, is the company’s 17th world premiere.
We have again selected the iconic La Fonda on the Plaza, a lively and historic hotel that boasts all the necessary contemporary comforts, while perfectly located at “the crossroads of Santa Fe”.
Just steps from galleries, restaurants, museums, St. Francis Cathedral and The Plaza, the recently renovated hotel is a premium selection. From La Plazuela restaurant and roof top bar to luxurious spa services and excellent shops, La Fonda has it all, with the on-site French Pastry café adding to the experience. The 5th floor Bell Tower Bar is ideally situated for sipping a cocktail while enjoying the sunset or enjoying a light lunch or dinner.
Our program includes opera education in the form of lectures and discussion, selected sightseeing, three Music at Noon concerts, eclectic Santa Fe dining and of course enough personal time to relax and enjoy the sublime surroundings of The City Different.
Arrivals: Regular flights on most major carriers arrive at Albuquerque Sunport (ABQ). Sandia Shuttle service runs hourly to Santa Fe, dropping off at La Fonda (transfer time is one hour and fifteen minutes). A round trip reservation should be booked not later than a month ahead of arrival. Act 1 Tours will assist upon request.
Alternatively, a private car service may be reserved: contact us for details and pricing. Santa Fe Airport (SAF) has limited airline services, with connections to Dallas, Los Angeles and Denver. On arrival, Roadrunner Shuttle transfers you to La Fonda.
ITINERARY
Sunday, August 2 (Optional early arrival)
Optional independent early arrivals at La Fonda on the Plaza.
Monday, August 3
Independent arrivals at La Fonda. Early check-in can be requested but is subject to room availability and not guaranteed. Gather in the hotel lobby where your tour director will greet the group. Depart on foot (five minutes) to La Boca for a Welcome Dinner.
Following dinner, we transfer by private coach to The Santa Fe Opera for the performance of The Magic Flute. This production is a revival of the acclaimed Tim Albery production from 2006 and 2010. (Bicket; Ferring, Hopkins, Harvey, Luna, DiBattista, Creswell).
Tuesday, August 4
After breakfast (included daily), gather in the hotel’s The Santa Fe Room for a lecture by opera educator Desirée Mays that will include insight into the works that you will be attending this week.
After a short break, Stefanie Beninato Ph.D., historian, lecturer and local guide will join us and this will be followed by a short walking tour, focusing on the history of the Plaza area and ending at the St. Francis Auditorium in time for the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival noon concert.
For those that prefer, a guided visit to the New Mexico History Museum will be offered instead of the walk. The concert is a piano recital by Nicolas Namoradze. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure.
In the evening, we transfer by private coach to The Santa Fe Opera for The Barber of Seville, a new production by Stephen Barlow. (Rovaris; Iversen, D’Angelo, Swanson, Burdette, Conner).
Wednesday, August 5
Morning at leisure.
The Concert at Noon is a recital with mezzo soprano Sasha Cook and pianist Pea-Yao Wang.
We return to The Santa Fe Opera Pavilion for a pre-performance buffet dinner and lecture before the start of M. Butterly in the staging by James Robinson. (Zhang; Bizik, Kim, Park, Burdette, Dennis).
Thursday, August 6
A morning activity will be offered closer to date as an optional inclusion.
The Concert at Noon is from Hoochen Zhang and Flux Quartet. After the concert, take the gentle walk to the iconic Santacaféfor lunch, with invited guests. The balance of the afternoon is independent.
The evening performance is Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde (Gaffigan; Wilson, O’Neill, Barton, McKinny, Owens/Leigh). This Santa Fe Opera premiere is a new production from Zack Winokur.
Friday, August 7
This morning we head out south of town and a private guided visit to the Allan Houser Sculpture Garden, splendidly located on fifty acres of land populated with juniper and chamisa and offering spectacular panoramic views. Houser was a pre- eminent Apache artist and teacher whose work is unsurpassed to the present day. We return to La Fonda by around midday for an independent lunch and afternoon.
Depart by coach for a celebratory farewell dinner at Restaurant Martín. After dinner, we continue to the opera house for our final performance, Rusalka (Bicket; Pérez, Cutler, Creswell, Martens, Lobianco). This is a Santa Fe Opera debut for veteran British opera director David Pountney.
Saturday, August 8
Independent departures or extension.
INCLUSIONS
- Five nights at La Fonda on the Plaza
- A la carte daily breakfast
- Prime seating for four opera performances of your choice
- Three Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival Concerts
- Two dinners & two lunches
- Daytime activities, as described
- Private lecture & pre-opera lecture with dinner
- Private coach transfers throughout tour
- Gratuities for drivers and guides
- Fully escorted by Act 1 Tours host
NOT INCLUDED
- Airfares
- Transfers to/from the airport (can be arranged on request)
- Meals and personal expenses not part of the itinerary
RATE
- $4,600 Double occupancy in Deluxe king rooms; two beds upon request
- $5,200 Single occupancy in Traditional rooms; queen bed
On the reservation form, please write the title of the opera you wish to NOT attend OR write "ALL" to attend all five operas and add an extra $300 per traveller, which includes transportation to and from the performance.
OPTIONS
(subject to availability)
• Extra night includes breakfast
- $345 Deluxe per night
- $300 Traditional per night
• Upgrade to deluxe for singles or junior suite for doubles: pricing upon request
• Fifth opera with transfer: $300 each traveller
PAYMENT
A deposit of $1,600 per person is due with the completed reservation and the balance by June 3, 2020. Payment in full if registering after this date.
INSURANCE
Trip insurance is strongly recommended to avoid financial loss in the case the need to cancel arises. Act 1 Tours can arrange suitable coverage on your behalf and some policies waive pre- existing medical conditions if purchased within 15 days of making an initial deposit.
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