2013 SANTA FE OPERA SEASON ANNOUNCED

Sep 23, 2012 by admin

WORLD PREMIERE OF OSCAR BY THEODORE MORRISON
Co-Commissioned and Co-Produced by The Santa Fe Opera and Opera Company of Philadelphia.
Featuring David Daniels in the title role.

 FIRST SANTA FE OPERA PERFORMANCES OF ROSSINI’S LA DONNA DEL LAGO
Featuring Joyce DiDonato in the title role.

 RETURN OF OFFENBACH’S THE GRAND DUCHESS OF GEROLSTEIN
First performances since 1979. New Production.
Featuring Susan Graham in the title role.

TWO POPULAR REVIVALS
Mozart, The Marriage of Figaro from 2008.
Verdi, La Traviata from 2009.
In honor of the 200th anniversary of the composer’s birth.

TWO SPECIAL CONCERTS

 SUNDAY, AUGUST 4, 4:00 PM
Venue to be Announced
In honor of the 200th anniversary of the birth of Richard Wagner
and the 100th anniversary of the birth of Benjamin Britten.
Richard Wagner, Wesendonck Lieder
Original version for voice and piano
Benjamin Britten, Cabaret Songs
Christine Brewer, Soprano
Liszt, Wagner Transcriptions

SUNDAY, AUGUST 18, 2013, 4:00 PM
STRAVINSKY COMMEMORATION
Basilica Cathedral of Saint Francis of Assisi
Stravinsky: Mass
Monteverdi: Vespers (selections)
A recreation of the concert Igor Stravinsky himself conducted on this date fifty years ago
in his last appearance in Santa Fe. That historic concert will be recreated by members
of The Santa Fe Opera Apprentice Program and The Santa Fe Opera Orchestra.

CHILDREN’S OPERA
August 2013, Time and Date to be Announced
Santa Fe Opera Ranch
Noah’s Flood
In honor of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Benjamin Britten.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

May 24, 2012. Santa Fe, NM.  The 2013 Santa Fe Opera Festival Season was announced today by General Director Charles MacKay. The repertory includes a world premiere, the first Santa Fe performances of another brilliant opera by Rossini, the return of a comic opera by Jacques Offenbach, and two popular revivals. Among the returning singers are four who have become special favorites with Santa Fe audiences: countertenor David Daniels, mezzo-sopranos Joyce DiDonato and Susan Graham, and tenor William Burden.

Heading the list is the world premiere of Oscar, composed by Theodore Morrison with a libretto by the composer and John Cox. The two-act work, which depicts the life of Oscar Wilde looking back from his time imprisoned in Reading Gaol, was written for countertenor David  Daniels. At the University of Michigan Mr. Daniels was a student of Mr. Morrison, who has also written a song cycle for the singer based on the poems of James Joyce.

The season opens on Friday, June 28 with a new production of Jacques Offenbach’s comedy, The Grand Duchess of Gerolstein, which has not been performed by the Company in 34 years. Susan Graham appears as the Grand Duchess for her first time in the role. The same opera ends the season on Saturday, August 24. Ms. Graham’s last Santa Fe operatic appearance was in the title role of Mozart’s Lucio Silla in 2005.

“After the enormous success of Offenbach’s La Belle Hélène,” said Susan Graham, “I’m thrilled to add The Grand Duchess of Gerolstein, another of his comic masterpieces, to my repertoire! And getting to return to my beloved Santa Fe Opera is the icing on the cake. We have a wonderful team in place with the eminently creative, elegant director Lee Blakeley. It will be a beautifully comical treat, and I can’t wait to be a part of it.”

The following night, Saturday, June 29, brings the remounting of Jonathan Kent’s much-admired production of The Marriage of Figaro. Another Santa Fe favorite, Susanna Phillips, is the Countess. A former apprentice, she made her Santa Fe Opera debut as Pamina in The Magic Flute in 2006.

“Finding the right mix of repertory is our challenge each year,” commented Mr. MacKay. “With a world premiere, a new production of a rare Rossini masterpiece, a comedy, classic Mozart and a beloved opera by Verdi, Santa Fe offers operas for the adventurous and the neophyte. To be sure, beautiful music abounds.”

“There are a number of commemorations in 2013. It is the 200th anniversary of the birth of both Wagner and Verdi, and the 100th anniversary of Benjamin Britten’s birth. We will honor all three in various ways. Of special significance to The Santa Fe Opera is the 50th anniversary of Igor Stravinsky’s final concert in Santa Fe, which will be recreated. Maestro Stravinsky holds a special place in our hearts for his dedication and support of the Company in its first years.”

“Presenting a world premiere is always a daunting and thrilling experience,” continued MacKay. “Oscar Wilde is one of literature’s most fascinating individuals and I have long felt that he was an ideal subject for opera. There have been numerous biographies and films, but never an opera.”  The libretto which was written by Mr. Morrison and Mr. Cox is based on quotations from the writings of Wilde and his contemporaries. The opera’s narrator is Walt Whitman. “In preparing for the opera David Daniels has immersed himself in the study of Oscar Wilde and the period in which the opera takes place. I know audiences will see a riveting performance.”

“Ms. DiDonato has become a champion of La Donna del Lago and has performed and recorded the work,” said Mr. MacKay. “Audiences will recall her poignant performance as Cinderella in 2006 in Massenet’s opera of the same name.”

“I’m thrilled to be bringing Rossini’s masterpiece to the wondrous city of Santa Fe,” commented Ms. DiDonato.  “Rossini takes us on a deeply romantic journey to the highlands of Scotland and the quest for peace through his dramatic music – I can’t think of a more ideal setting than the magical Santa Fe.”

“Presenting young American singers has long been the Company’s philosophy,” said Mr. MacKay “and there is an impressive group in 2013, including Paul Appleby, Lawrence Brownlee, René Barbera, Lisette Oropesa and Brenda Rae, as well as important international artists Daniela Barcellona and Roland Wood. We are pleased to have Emily Fons, Anya Matanovič, Michael Fabiano, Jonathan Michie, and Aaron Pegram, all recent members of the Apprentice Program, back as principal singers.

DEBUTS

SINGERS:  Paul Appleby, René Barbera, Daniela Barcellona, Lawrence Brownlee,
Michael Fabiano, Emily Fons, Anya Matanovič, Jonathan Michie, Lisette Oropesa, Brenda Rae, Roland Wood
SCENIC DESIGNER:  Adrian Linford
COSTUME DESIGNER:  Jo van Schuppen

RETURNING ARTISTS
SINGERS: William Burden, Kevin Burdette, Dwayne Croft, David Daniels, Joyce DiDonato, Susan Graham, Keith Jameson,
Susanne Mentzer, Daniel Okulitch, Aaron Pegram, Susanna Phillips, Heidi Stober, Wayne Tigges, Dale Travis
CONDUCTORS: Stephen Lord, John Nelson, Evan Rogister
DIRECTORS:  Lee Blakeley, Paul Curran, Bruce Donnell, Kevin Newbury, Laurent Pelly
SCENIC DESIGNERS:  Paul Brown, Kevin Knight, Chantal Thomas, David Korins
COSTUME DESIGNERS:  Paul Brown, Kevin Knight, Laurent Pelly, David Woolard
LIGHTING DESIGNERS:  Rick Fisher, Duane Schuler
CHOREOGRAPHERS:  Seán Curran, Peggy Hickey

*Debut
+Former Apprentice

THE GRAND DUCHESS OF GEROLSTEIN
Jacques Offenbach
Last performed by The Santa Fe Opera in 1979.  New Production.
Sung in French
With English Dialogue
June 28, July 3, 6, 12, 19, 30, August 7, 15, 21, 24

CONDUCTOR	TBA
DIRECTOR	Lee Blakeley
SCENIC DESIGNER	*Adrian Linford
COSTUME DESIGNER	*Jo van Schuppen
LIGHTING DESIGNER	Rick Fisher
CHOREOGRAPHER	Peggy Hickey
GRAND DUCHESS	Susan Graham
WANDA	+*Anya Matanovič
FRITZ	*Paul Appleby
BARON PUCK	+Aaron Pegram
PRINCE PAUL	+Jonathan Michie
GENERAL BOUM	Kevin Burdette

Santa Fe Opera audiences in the 1970s loved this grande opera bouffe, and it was presented no less than four times in a decade. Mr. MacKay decided it was time to bring it back. The Grand Duchess, a young woman raised by tutors, is a tyrant, and the opera revolves around the complications of her love life. Susan Graham, one of the world’s leading dramatic mezzo-sopranos, has a virtuoso comic side which will be remembered from the 2003 performance of another Offenbach gem, La Belle Hélène. The object of her affections is a young officer, Fritz, sung by Paul Appleby in his debut. Mr. Appleby was a national winner of the 2009 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, a career grantee from the Richard Tucker Foundation in 2011, and recently, the recipient of the 2012 Martin E. Segal Award. He performs extensively with pianist Steven Blier and the New York Festival of Song. The object of Fritz’s affection, Wanda, is sung by Anya Matanovič, also making her debut. The cast also includes Kevin Burdette, remembered as Kitty’s father in the 2011 production of The Last Savage. Making their debuts are scenic designer Adrian Linford and costume designer Jo van Schuppen. Both have worked with director Lee Blakely, who is returning to Santa Fe for the 2012 production of The Pearl Fishers.

THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Sung in Italian
Last performed by The Santa Fe Opera in 2008.  Revival.
June 29, July 5, 10, August 3, 8, 13, 20, 23

CONDUCTOR	John Nelson
DIRECTOR	Bruce Donnell
SCENIC & COSTUME DESIGNER	Paul Brown
LIGHTING DESIGNER	Duane Schuler
PRODUCTION	Jonathan Kent
FIGARO	TBA
SUSANNA	*Lisette Oropesa
COUNTESS ALMAVIVA	+Susanna Phillips
CHERUBINO	*+Emily Fons
MARCELLINA	Susanne Mentzer
BASILIO	+Keith Jameson
COUNT ALMAVIVA	Daniel Okulitch
DOCTOR BARTOLO	Dale Travis

 

The American soprano Lisette Oropesa will make her company debut as Susanna. Ms. Oropesa, a former member of the Lindemann Young Artist Development Program at the Metropolitan Opera, has appeared in a number of operas there including Das Rheingold and Siegfried. Most recently she appeared in the Met’s production of The Enchanted Island. The Countess and Count will be sung by Susanna Phillips and Daniel Okulitch, who was last seen in 2011 as the Last Savage in the opera of the same name. Ms. Phillips has been singing leading roles both in this country and abroad, including the Metropolitan Opera. Emily Fons, an apprentice in 2008 and 2009, is Cherubino. The distinguished conductor John Nelson, who has appeared with orchestras and ensembles in this country and in Europe, led the Company’s 1997 production of Semele. Director Bruce Donnell will recreate the original production by Jonathan Kent. He has directed extensively at the Metropolitan Opera including a tour to Japan, and with opera companies in Europe, Canada and South America. He has directed a number of productions for The Santa Fe Opera, most recently Salome in 2006.

 

LA DONNA DEL LAGO
Gioachino Rossini
First performances by The Santa Fe Opera.  New Production.
Sung in Italian
July 13, 17, 26, August 1, 6, 14

CONDUCTOR	Stephen Lord
DIRECTOR	Paul Curran
SCENIC & COSTUME DESIGNER	Kevin Knight
LIGHTING DESIGNER	Duane Schuler
ELENA	+Joyce DiDonato
MALCOLM GROEME	*Daniela Barcellona
UBERTO	*Lawrence Brownlee
RODRIGO DI DHU	*René Barbera
DOUGLAS D’ANGUS	Wayne Tigges

Rossini’s opera of 1819 is based on The Lady of the Lake by Sir Walter Scott in which a young woman, Elena, is pledged to marry one man, but loves another. Joyce DiDonato, in the title role, performed the opera in 2010 at the Paris Opera and in 2011 at La Scala.  In La Donna del Lago, her true love, Malcolm, will be sung by mezzo- soprano Daniela Barcellona. Born in Trieste, Ms. Barcellona is recognized as a superb interpreter of Rossini whose works she has sung throughout Europe. She appeared with Ms. DiDonato in the Paris and La Scala productions. The brilliant American tenor Lawrence Brownlee is Uberto, the disguised King James who also loves Elena. He studied at Indiana University, making his Metropolitan Opera debut in 2000. Tenor René Barbera, a native of San Antonio, is Rodrigo. In 2011 he received the top three prizes in Plácido Domingo’s Operalia Competition, the first singer to do so. All three are making their company debuts in this new production. Stephen Lord returns to conduct. He led The Tales of Hoffmann in 2010.  Director Paul Curran and scenic and costume designer Kevin Knight most recently created Albert Herring in 2010.

 

LA TRAVIATA
Giuseppe Verdi
Sung in Italian
Last Performed by The Santa Fe Opera in 2009.  Revival.
July 20, 24, 29, August 2, 5, 10, 16, 22

CONDUCTOR	TBA
DIRECTOR	Laurent Pelly
SCENIC DESIGNER	Chantal Thomas
COSTUME DESIGNER	Laurent Pelly
LIGHTING DESIGNER	Duane Schuler
VIOLETTA	*Brenda Rae
ALFREDO	+*Michael Fabiano
GERMONT	*Roland Wood (American debut)
GASTONE	+Keith Jameson
DOUPHOL	+* Jonathan Michie
DR. GRENVIL	Dale Travis

French director Laurent Pelly returns to Santa Fe to recreate his striking production of La Traviata with scenic designer Chantal Thomas. Making her debut as Violetta is Brenda Rae. The American soprano has been a member of the ensemble at Frankfurt Opera where she has sung major roles. Her appearances in Europe include performances at National Opera of Bordeaux, Glyndebourne Festival, Bayerische Staatsoper, and Arena di Verona. Alfredo will be sung by Michael Fabiano, a former apprentice who has been winning acclaim in this country and in Europe. He was a grand prize winner at the 2007 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and was featured in The Audition, the documentary about the competition. He has made debuts at English National Opera, San Francisco Opera, Dresden Semperoper, Opera Cologne, Deutsche Oper Berlin, and others. Baritone Roland Wood is a British native, having received his music education at Royal Northern College of Music and at the National Opera Studio and English National Opera where he has also performed. He has sung with opera companies throughout Scotland, England and in Europe. All three are making their first appearances in Santa Fe.  These performances also mark Mr. Wood’s American debut.

 

OSCAR
Theodore Morrison
Libretto by Theodore Morrison and John Cox
World Premiere
Commissioned and Produced by
The Santa Fe Opera and Opera Company of Philadelphia
Sung in English
July 27, 31, August 9, 12, 17

CONDUCTOR	Evan Rogister
DIRECTOR	Kevin Newbury
SCENIC DESIGNER	David Korins
COSTUME DESIGNER	David Woolard
LIGHTING DESIGNER	Rick Fisher
CHOREOGRAPHER	Seán Curran
OSCAR WILDE	David Daniels
ADA LEVERSON	Heidi Stober
FRANK HARRIS	+William Burden
WALT WHITMAN	Dwayne Croft

David Daniels is one of music’s leading countertenors whose career spans music of the Baroque era to the contemporary. He appeared in the Company’s 2011 production of Vivaldi’s Griselda and recently in the title role of Handel’s Rinaldo at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. He was the leading countertenor in the Metropolitan Opera’s Baroque pastiche, Enchanted Island, seen worldwide in theaters in HD. Heidi Stober was Musetta in the 2011 revival of La Bohéme and prior, as Tigrane in Radamisto with Mr. Daniels in 2008. She is singing the role of Zdenka in the 2012 production of Arabella. Mr. Burden will be remembered for his sympathetic performance of Captain Vere in the 2008 production of Billy Budd. He is appearing as the mysterious Shepherd in the 2012 production of King Roger. Kevin Newbury last directed Life Is a Dream by Lewis Spratlan in 2010. He will continue his collaboration with scenic designer David Korins. Evan Rogister, who has made his career primarily in Europe, is now in demand with opera companies in the U.S and returns to conduct King Roger in 2012.

Family Nights.  Mainstage performances will again be available. The modestly priced tickets are designed to allow families to introduce their young members to opera. Specific dates to be announced.

Apprentice Scenes. These showcases for apprentice singers and technicians are scheduled on two consecutive Sunday evenings, August 11 and 18.

Tickets for the 2013 season will be available for purchase beginning June 29, 2012. They may be purchased by telephone: 505-986-5900, toll free: 800-280-4654 or in person at the Box Office.  Online sales begin in September.

Tickets are available on a rush basis to students and senior citizens 48 hours in advance at half price. They must be ordered by telephone or in person and IDs are required.

Support for The Santa Fe Opera comes from the City of Santa Fe Arts Commission and the 1% Lodgers’ Tax, New Mexico Arts, a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs, and the National Endowment for the Arts. American Airlines is the official airline.

Press Contact: Joyce Idema, Cindy Layman, Dolores McElroy
press@santafeopera.org

2013 Ticket Ordering Information
Box Office: 505-986-5900 or 800-280-4654 (Monday – Saturday, 9 am – 5 pm)