For more than 20 years, the Santa Fe Opera has been sending singers from their highly respected apprentice program on a spring tour throughout the Southwest. Maybe they will return to Durango at some time in the future. With our splendid Community Concert Hall and a growing opera fan base, not to mention the 100-plus person audiences for The MET: Live in HD programs, it would seem a good bet. In the meantime, you can see the Santa Fe tour program for free in two nearby cities.
The 2014 tour presents a double bill. “True North” is an original work written for the tour and tells the story of two couples that meet by coincidence at an airport. All four were on an opera tour before. They reminisce through music. Written by Kathleen Clawson and Andrea F. Walters with original music by Frederick Frahm, the first half will lead into a second half with many popular operatic favorites.
Expect to hear Juliet’s Waltz from “Romeo and Juliet,” the Toreador Song and a duet from Bizet’s “Carmen,” two works from Donizetti’s “Don Pasquale,” “Mister Snow,” a moving soprano solo from “Carousel,” and a Ragtime Opera Medley from “Watch Your Step.”
Both “Carmen” and “Don Pasquale” are on the bill for full productions in Santa Fe this summer. In addition, the company will perform Beethoven’s only opera, “Fidelio,” two short operas in a single bill, Mozart’s “The Impresario,” and Stravinsky’s “Le Rossignol.” In addition, Santa Fe will present the American premiere of Huang Ruo’s “Dr. Sun Yat-sen.”
The summer season begins June 27 with an opening performance of “Carmen,” followed the next night by “Don Pasquale.” The 2014 season runs through August 23.
“Carmen” will have the most performances, 12, followed by nine for “Don Pasquale” and five of “Fidelio.” Two evening performances of Apprentice Scenes will take place on August 10 and 17. The Apprentice concerts carry ticket prices ranging from $5 for youth and $15 for adults.
The Spring Tour is free, and the company will be performing during the day in high schools from Texas to Colorado.
Summer tickets are available now. You can reach the Santa Fe Opera by phone, (50) 986-5900 or online at www.SantaFeOpera.org. Single performance tickets range from $30 to $215.
jreynolds@durangoherald.com. Judith Reynolds is a Durango writer, artist and critic.