OCTOBER 2019 VOLUME 14 ISSUE 1 ANTHONY BARRESE: THE RE-BIRTH OF AN OPERA ANTHONY BARRESE: RESTORING ALI BABA TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 6:00 TO 7:30PM SANTA FE WOMAN’S CLUB 1616 OLD PECOS TRAIL FREE FOR MEMBERS, $10 FOR NON-MEMBERS Opera Southwest’s upcoming production of Ali Baba is creating quite a stir. In fact, Opera Wire listed it as the Number One must-see event in North American opera houses this fall. The work by Bottesini premiered to great acclaim in London in 1871, but then fell into obscurity. Come and hear the Artistic Director of Opera Southwest, Maestro Anthony Barrese, talk about how he has painstakingly reconstructed the score and libretto from the composer’s original manuscript. Maestro Barrese strong track record of resurrecting lost operas began with his 2014 restoration of Amleto by Franco Faccio, a production that earned Opera Southwest national attention. With advance coverage in Broadway World, Opera Wire, and WFMT radio, Ali Baba promises to be another feather in Maestro Barrese’s cap. The composer and conductor commented, “I was drawn to Ali Baba by its portrayal of Iranian and Turkish people as full-blown Opera Southwest’s Ali Baba: characters, not just comic foils for “Number One Must-See Fall 2019 Europeans.” He went on to say, th Production in North America!” “Bottesini had a strong reputation in 19 Century Italy. He conducted the world premiere of Verdi’s Aida, and he was widely known as the Paganini of the double Opera Wire bass.” Ali Baba premiers in Albuquerque at the National Hispanic Cultural Center on October 20. Please note that this event will begin at 6PM (rather than 5:30PM). It is free for members; those at the $60+ level may bring a co-member or guest for free. Others will be asked to pay $10. Please register here so that we know how many people to expect; or you may phone Ken at (888) 666-3430 x503. 2019 OPERA SALON LET’S TALK ABOUT OPERA: A SALON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2:00 - 4:00PM ELDORADO HOTEL, AGAVE RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE 309 W SAN FRANCISCO STREET FREE, REGISTRATION REQUIRED The Salon has become a popular annual Santa Fe Opera Guild tradition since its introduction in 2014. The sixth edition will take place on Sunday, November 17 in the Agave Lounge at the Eldorado Hotel. Everyone is invited to spend a relaxing afternoon circulating among six tables that will discuss various aspects of opera: • Which Productions Stick in Your Mind will give Salon participants an opportunity to relate their most memorable experiences at the opera. Was it a story line, innovative sets and costumes, a particular singer’s performance, brilliant stage direction, or magical alchemy that occurs when the stars align? • Wagner, Love Him or Hate Him. Led by Desirée Mays, this topic promises to spur lively discussion, especially since The Santa Fe Opera plans to stage Tristan und Isolde in 2020. Do you agree with Mark Twain, when he said, “Wagner’s music is better than it sounds,” or are you in the camp that would jump at the chance to do a Ring Cycle in Bayreuth? Here’s your chance to share your perspective. • Inappropriate Cultural Appropriation… or Not. How have attitudes toward other cultures shifted between the 19th century and now? Should we evaluate works written years ago through the lens of our current, diverse cultural mindset and mores? What can, or should opera companies do to adapt to shifting culture and perspective? These are among the thought-provoking questions that will be addressed at this discussion table. • The Santa Fe Opera’s commitment to new works has given us an outstanding opportunity to experience modern opera. Yet relatively few contemporary operas go on to be embraced by the wider world. What Makes New Operas Successful will look at specific factors that contribute to the acceptance and success of a modern opera. • Beyond the Performance: How Else Do We Enjoy Learning About Opera? From publications to Internet blogs and clips, opera lovers today have so many avenues to enhance their knowledge of opera. Participants will have a chance to share their preferences - perhaps even learn about new sources of information. • Musicals and Opera. Many major opera companies are staging classic musicals such as Show Boat and West Side Story. Is there a line between these musical art forms? What do they have in common? How do you feel about going to a musical in the opera house? Organizers of the Salon have asked people who plan to attend to register. While it is free for members and guests, seating is limited and registration helps us anticipate how many will participate. Guild members are encouraged to bring guests who might be interested in joining the Guild. You can click here or phone Ken at (888)666-3430 x503 to register. OPERA GUILD TEAMS WITH RENESAN THE ABCS OF OPERA: AIDA, BARBER OF SEVILLE, & CARMEN FRIDAYS, NOVEMBER 1, 8, AND 15, BEGINNING AT 1PM TEATRO PARAGUAS 300 CALLE MARIE, SANTA FE $45 ENROLLMENT FEE The Santa Fe Opera Guild has partnered with RENESAN to present three of the most beloved operas of all time in a course titled The ABCs of Opera: Aida, The Barber of Seville, and Carmen. Each session will screen one full-length opera, preceded by a brief lecture about the piece from Guild-favorite Tom Franks, and followed by an opportunity for discussion. The selection of high-definition (Blu-ray) DVDs has been curated by the Santa Fe Opera Guild to insure excellent production values and outstanding vocal performances. There will be an intermission approximately midway through each screening. Class participants will be sent a synopsis of the plot of each opera prior to the screenings. Enroll now by clicking here. 0Aida: Recorded at La Scala in Milan in 2015, starring Kristin Lewis, Fabio Sartori, Anita Rachvelishvili, and George Gagnidze, conducted by Zubin Mehta. Sung in Italian with English subtitles. The Barber of Seville: Recorded at Teatro Real in Madrid in 2005, starring Juan Diego Florez, Maria Bayo, Pietro Spagnoli, and Bruno Pratico, conducted by Gianluigi Gelmetti. Sung in Italian with English subtitles. Carmen: A BBC production filmed at Royal Opera Covent Garden in 2008, starring Jonas Kaufmann, Anna Caterina Antonacci, and Ildebrando d’Arcangelo, conducted by Sir Antonio Pappano. Sung in French with English subtitles. OPERA FOR ALL VOICES DEBUTS WORLD PREMIERE The world premiere of the first Opera for All Voices commission, Sweet Potato Kicks the Sun, premiers at the Lensic on Saturday, October 26, 2019, at 6:00PM. Sweet Potato Kicks the Sun, by composer Augusta Read Thomas and librettist Leslie Dunton-Downer, follows the galactic mishaps caused by the title character, Sweet Potato, and a journey to set things back on course. Featuring a cast that includes beatbox artist Nicole Paris, this work explores opera’s ability to intersect with other art forms, while also offering contemporary storytelling for today’s audiences. The opera was commissioned by a consortium of opera companies led by The Santa Fe Opera in association with the San Francisco Opera that includes: Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Minnesota Opera, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Sarasota Opera and Seattle Opera. The project was made possible by generous funding from The Melville Hankins Family Foundation, Kay Bucksbaum, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and an Innovation Grant from OPERA America. Please note, this event is not ticketed by the Santa Fe Opera Box Office. The 'Buy Tickets' button in this weblink will direct you to the Lensic's website to complete your Nicole Paris, Beat Box Artist ticket purchase. The opera’s running time is 90 minutes, no intermission. OCTOBER DATES FOR OPERA MAKES SENSE Created for children 3 to 5 to explore the world of opera through a variety of activities and games addressing different developmental levels of toddlers. Participants move from one station to another based upon their personal interest level. Through poetry, songs, music and dance, with costumes and art activities related to scenery and props – opera is translated through the five senses. This year the program take place through partnerships with Meow Wolf and Santa Fe Children’s Museum. Programs are free, and no reservations are needed. Events are 10:00AM to noon. Saturday, October 5, at Meow Wolf located at 1352 Rufina Cir., Santa Fe Saturday, October 12, at Santa Fe Children’s Museum located at 1050 Old Pecos Trl., Santa Fe STAY TUNED: WINTER TOUR RETURNS During the holiday season, The Santa Fe Opera artists perform in local churches and auditoriums around the state. The holiday cheer will be headed to a town near you in December. Look for dates and details in the November Operagram. OCTOBER 31 DEADLINE FOR RENEWING SUBSCRIBERS Don’t forget that October 31 is The Santa Fe Opera Box Office’s deadline for renewing ticket subscriptions. The Box Office will begin assigning seats to subscribers in November. Don’t delay if you want to request the same seat(s) as the past season. The 2020 season presents five operas in 37 performances and two evenings of Apprentice Scenes, running from July 3 to August 29, 2020. It will be the Opera’s 64th season, and will feature the following productions: Rossini’s The Barber of Seville, The Magic Flute by Mozart, Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde, Rusalka by Dvořák, and the world premiere of M. Butterfly by composer Huang Ruo and librettist David Henry Hwang. Subscribers can also order tickets to the ever-popular Apprentice Scenes, scheduled for August 16 and 23, 2020. Readers may click here, or phone (505)986-5900 for more information.