The Santa Fe Opera announces casting and creative team updates for the 69th Festival Season running July 3 through August 29
Opening Weekend, July 3 & 4: The celebrated revival of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly and a new production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute
July 18: An enhanced revival of Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin from the 2021 Season
July 25: Handel’s Rodelinda, a company premiere and new Santa Fe Opera production conducted by Music Director Harry Bicket
August 1: The American premiere of Lili Elbe, an opera in two acts by Grammy-winning American composer Tobias Picker and librettist Aryeh Lev Stollman
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Individual Tickets & Subscriptions on sale now at santafeopera.org
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Santa Fe, NM – The Santa Fe Opera confirms the following casting and creative team updates for the 2026 Season running July 3 through August 29:
All Productions
David Zimmerman has returned to the Santa Fe Opera for his 19th season as Wig and Makeup Designer for all productions. Andrew Kenneth Moss returns to the Santa Fe Opera as the Fight and Intimacy Director for all productions.
Madama Butterfly
Hanako Ingliss makes her Santa Fe Opera debut as Trouble in Madama Butterfly.
The Magic Flute
The Santa Fe Opera was deeply saddened by the passing of Rainelle Krause earlier this year. She was scheduled to make her Santa Fe Opera debut as the Queen of the Night, a signature role she performed with mastery around the world. The company is grateful to soprano Jeni Houser, who will assume the role in her Santa Fe Opera debut.
Eugene Onegin
Elmina Hasan has withdrawn from the role of Olga; Lindsay Ammann will sing the role of Olga in her company debut. Native New Mexican and Santa Fe Opera audience favorite Susan Graham will assume the role of Larina, replacing the previously scheduled Lindsay Ammann. Susan Graham performed the role of Larina earlier this year in the Palais Garnier’s production directed by Ralph Fiennes.
Rodelinda
Maximilian Moore returns to the Santa Fe Opera stage as Flavio in Rodelinda.
Lili Elbe
Apprentice Singer Son Jin Kim has withdrawn from the program; former Santa Fe Opera Apprentice Singer Drew Comer replaces him in the role of Christian X.
Apprentice Program for Singers, Apprentice Scenes & Concert
Previously announced Apprentice Singers Ángel Vargas and Christian Simmons have withdrawn from the program; Morgan Mastrangelo and Atticus Rego have joined the class of 2026 Apprentice Singers.
Michelle Cuizon and Alison Pogorelc will direct the Apprentice Scenes on August 16.
Incoming Music Director of the Houston Grand Opera and current Music Director at Komische Oper Berlin and Spain’s Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, James Gaffigan, joins the Santa Fe Opera to conduct the Santa Fe Opera Orchestra at the Apprentice Concert on August 23. Melanie Bacaling will serve as Stage Director.
About the 2026 Season
This summer, the Santa Fe Opera presents a lineup of classic, rarely performed and new works. Running July 3 through August 29, the 69th Festival Season features 38 performances of two new productions, two celebrated revivals and an American premiere. An homage to the company’s first-ever performance in 1957, Opening Weekend takes flight on July 3 with Lee Blakeley’s acclaimed production of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, revived by Melanie Bacaling. Next, on July 4, is a new international co-production with Garsington Opera of Mozart’s The Magic Flute directed by Christopher Luscombe. Centering the season from July 18 is a revival of Alessandro Talevi’s production of Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin, originally presented during the opera’s 2021 Season. On July 25, Handel’s Rodelinda is offered for the first time at the Santa Fe Opera, led by Santa Fe Opera Music Director and early music specialist Harry Bicket with direction by R.B. Schlather. Finally, on August 1, the Santa Fe Opera presents the American premiere of Lili Elbe, an opera in two acts by Grammy-winning composer Tobias Picker and librettist Aryeh Lev Stollman, featuring former Apprentice Singer Lucia Lucas in the title role. The popular Apprentice Scenes return on August 16, showcasing the opera’s singing and technical apprentices. The Apprentice Concert on August 23 features the Apprentice Singers in a concert with The Santa Fe Opera Orchestra led by James Gaffigan.
Says General Director Robert K. Meya, “As we celebrate the Santa Fe Opera’s 69th Season, we honor a legacy built on bold creativity, artistic excellence and a spirit of discovery that has defined our company. 2026 offers audiences a confection of beloved classics, rarely heard masterpieces and thrilling new works, culminating in our 46th American premiere: Tobias Picker and Aryeh Lev Stollman’s Lili Elbe. This significant premiere reaffirms our enduring commitment to presenting works that speak to our time and illuminate the future of our art form.”
Individual tickets and subscriptions for both the 2026 and 2027 Seasons are on sale now at santafeopera.org.
Madama Butterfly
A Japanese girl on the verge of womanhood sacrifices her heritage for the American dream when a dashing naval officer chooses her for his bride. Butterfly’s naïve dream for a better life is crushed by isolation and betrayal when he traps her in the very cage she wishes to escape. Taking her destiny into her own hands, the devastating outcome lingers long after the final note.
The Santa Fe Opera’s 2026 Season opens with a revival of the 2010 production of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, originally conceived by the late Lee Blakeley and revived by director Melanie Bacaling in her Santa Fe Opera main stage directorial debut. Says Melanie, “It is an honor to bring this beloved production back to the Santa Fe Opera stage. Madama Butterfly is treasured in the operatic canon, giving us some of Puccini’s most celebrated music through a story of immense tragedy. It is a privilege to continue interrogating the narrative with respect and representation at the forefront.”
Puccini’s transcendental music floats in the Crosby Theatre as the story unfolds. This poignant staging blends tradition with emotional depth, featuring elegant scenery by Jean-Marc Puissant, costumes by Brigitte Reiffenstuel and atmospheric lighting by Rick Fisher. Susanne Sheston serves as Chorus Director. Andrew Kenneth Moss serves as Fight and Intimacy Director, and David Zimmerman is the Wig and Makeup Designer.
Conductor John Fiore leads a phenomenal international cast, with several making company debuts: Karen Chia-ling Ho as Cio-Cio-San, Sun-Ly Pierce as Suzuki and Ya-Chung Huang in his American debut singing Goro. Stephen Costello sings Pinkerton and Jonathan Burton takes the role for the final two performances (August 26 and 29). Former Apprentice Singers Jarrett Ott and Le Bu perform Sharpless and the Bonze, respectively.
Apprentice Singer Evan Lazdowski joins as the Official Registrar. Apprentice Singers making their debuts are Yeongtaek Yang as Yamadori, Alissa Goretsky in the role of Kate Pinkerton, Kyle White as Yakuside, Lauryn Davis as the Cousin, Matthew Juhlin as the Imperial Commissioner, Darya Narymanava as Butterfly’s Mother and Sophia Baete in the role of the Aunt.
12 performances are scheduled: July 3, 8, 11, 17, 24; August 3, 8, 10, 15, 20, 26 & 29.
Madama Butterfly
Music by Giacomo Puccini
Libretto by Luigi Illica, Giuseppe Giacosa
Based on Madame Butterfly (1898) by John Luther Long
Premiered February 17, 1904, Teatro alla Scala, Milan, Italy
Adapted from the original production by Lee Blakeley in 2010
12 performances — July 3, 8, 11, 17, 24; August 3, 8, 10, 15, 20, 26 & 29, 2026
Sung in Italian with opera titles in English and Spanish
Approximately 2 hours 44 minutes; includes a 25-minute intermission
Production support generously provided by
The Estate of James R. Seitz, Jr.
The Estate of Suzanne Hanson Poole
Additional artistic support provided by
The E.H. Corrigan Foundation Fund
The engagement of Melanie Bacaling is supported by
Susan Esco Chandler & Alfred D. Chandler
The engagement of John Fiore is supported by
The John Crosby Conductor’s Chair endowed by Flora L. Thornton
The performances of Karen Chia-ling Ho are supported by
Agnes Hsu-Tang & Oscar Tang – Tang Fund
The performances of Sun-Ly Pierce are supported by
Brooke Suzanne Gray
Creative Team
Conductor John Fiore
Director Melanie Bacaling*
Scenic Design Jean-Marc Puissant
Costume Design Brigitte Reiffenstuel
Lighting Design Rick Fisher
Wig and Makeup Design David Zimmerman
Chorus Director Susanne Sheston
Fight & Intimacy Director Andrew Kenneth Moss
Cast
Cio-Cio-San Karen Chia-ling Ho*
B.F. Pinkerton Stephen Costello
B.F. Pinkerton Jonathan Burton (August 26 & 29)
Sharpless Jarrett Ott+
Suzuki Sun-Ly Pierce*
Goro Ya-Chung Huang*~
Bonze Le Bu+
Yamadori Yeongtaek Yang^*
Imperial Commissioner Matthew Juhlin^*
Kate Pinkerton Alissa Goretsky^*
Official Registrar Evan Lazdowski^
Yakuside Kyle White^*
Cousin Lauryn Davis^*
Mother Darya Narymanava^*
Aunt Sophia Baete^*
Trouble Hanako Ingliss*
The Santa Fe Opera Orchestra & Chorus
*Santa Fe Opera Debut, ^Current Santa Fe Opera Apprentice, +Former Santa Fe Opera Apprentice, ~American Debut
The Magic Flute
Imagine a magic flute that can tame the wildest of beasts. Can Prince Tamino and Papageno use it to save the princess? They embark on a fantastical quest through the elements, and along the way, they encounter enchanting characters and face daring trials.
The season continues with an enchanting new production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute, a new co-production with Garsington Opera directed by Christopher Luscombe in his company debut and conducted by Santa Fe Opera Music Director Harry Bicket.
Inspired by Edwardian pantomime, this new production merges spectacle with storytelling to create an immersive experience for audiences of all ages. Scenic Designer Simon Higlett crafts a world of trompe-l’œil scenery, evoking Victorian music halls, while lighting by Philip Rosenberg and illusions by Chris Fisher heighten the magic with stunning stage effects. Costume Designer Robert Perdziola blends early 19th-century silhouettes with theatrical flourishes, reflecting the opera’s blend of fantasy and adventure. David Zimmerman and Andrew Moss return as Wig and Makeup Designer and Fight and Intimacy Director, respectively. Susanne Sheston serves as Chorus Director and Rebecca Howell serves as Movement Director.
Making company debuts are Josh Lovell as Tamino, Joélle Harvey as Pamina, Jeni Houser as the Queen of the Night and Alexander Köpeczi as Sarastro. Several former Apprentice Singers return, including Will Liverman as Papageno, with Apprentice Singer Jazmine Saunders as Papagena, Spencer Hamlin as Monostatos and Le Bu as the Speaker. Apprentices also returning include Jasmin Ward as First Lady, Deanna Ray Eberhart as Second Lady, Lauren Randolph as Third Lady, Will Ryan as Second Priest, and Matthew Goodheart as First Armored Man. Making Santa Fe Opera debuts are Dominic Salvati in the role of First Priest, Dani Jingdan Zhang as First Boy, Sabrina Langlois as Second Boy, Natalie Corrigan as Third Boy, and Sunghoon Han as Second Armored Man. A new English translation by Jeremy Sams brings immediacy and humor to the performances.
8 performances are scheduled: July 4, 10, 15; August 4, 13, 22, 25 & 28.
The Magic Flute
Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Libretto by Emanuel Schikaneder
Premiered September 30, 1791, Freihaus-Theater auf der Wieden, Vienna, Austria
Co-production with Garsington Opera
English Translation by Jeremy Sams used by arrangement with Josef Weinberger Limited
8 performances — July 4, 10, 15; August 4, 13, 22, 25 & 28, 2026
Singing and Dialogue in English with opera titles in English and Spanish
Approximately 3 hours; includes a 25-minute intermission
Production support generously provided by
The Avenir Production Fund
The Tobin Endowment
The Robert & Ellen Vladem Perpetual Fund for Opera Production
Additional artistic support provided by
Gene & Jean Stark
National Endowment for the Arts
The engagement of Christopher Luscombe is supported by
Gina Browning & Joe Illick
The engagement of Simon Higlett is supported by
The Carl & Marilynn Thoma Foundation
The performances of Joélle Harvey are supported by
The Marcella Fund
The performances of Jeni Houser are supported by
The Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation
The performances of Will Liverman are supported by
Marianne S. Kah
Creative Team
Conductor Harry Bicket
Director Christopher Luscombe*
Scenic Design Simon Higlett*
Costume Design Robert Perdziola
Lighting Design Philip Rosenberg*
Wig and Makeup Design David Zimmerman
Illusions Chris Fisher*
Chorus Director Susanne Sheston
Fight & Intimacy Director Andrew Kenneth Moss
Movement Director Rebecca Howell*
Cast
Tamino Josh Lovell*
Pamina Joélle Harvey*
The Queen of the Night Jeni Houser*
Sarastro Alexander Köpeczi*
Papageno Will Liverman+
Monostatos Spencer Hamlin+
Speaker Le Bu+
First Lady Jasmin Ward^
Second Lady Deanna Ray Eberhart^
Third Lady Lauren Randolph^
Papagena Jazmine Saunders^
First Priest Dominic Salvati^*
Second Priest Will Ryan^
First Boy Dani Jingdan Zhang^*
Second Boy Sabrina Langlois^*
Third Boy Natalie Corrigan^*
First Armored Man Matthew Goodheart^
Second Armored Man Sunghoon Han^*
The Santa Fe Opera Orchestra & Chorus
*Santa Fe Opera Debut, ^Current Santa Fe Opera Apprentice, +Former Santa Fe Opera Apprentice, ~American Debut
Eugene Onegin
Unbridled passion, devastating heartbreak and unspoken regret. Tatyana’s love is rejected by Onegin. He realizes his mistake, a little too late, leaving no one untouched by the haunting pull of nostalgia and the aching memory of what was, what was not and what could have been.
Centering the 2026 Season is a revival of the company’s striking 2021 production of Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin, directed by Alessandro Talevi. When originally presented, pandemic protocols necessitated significant artistic innovation: the opera’s powerful chorus — essential to the drama and emotional scale of the piece — was positioned offstage, while dancers in costume conveyed the action through movement. Now presented in its complete theatrical vision with newly designed and built costumes, full chorus integration and richly layered stage direction, the opera will come to life in full theatrical splendor.
With evocative sets and costumes by Gary McCann, the scenes shift seamlessly between ornate interiors and natural landscapes, with Santa Fe’s open-air backdrop heightening the opera’s emotional depth. Rick Fisher is the Lighting Designer, David Zimmerman is the Wig and Makeup Designer and Athol Farmer is the Choreographer. Susanne Sheston serves as Chorus Director.
Conducted by Keri-Lynn Wilson in her company debut and SFO head of music staff Robert Tweten (August 12 & 19), the production features an international cast. Making both American and company debuts is Peruvian tenor Iván Ayón-Rivas as Lensky; making company debuts are Olga Kulchynska as Tatyana, Mattia Olivieri as Onegin and Lindsay Ammann as Olga. Susan Graham is Larina, Alexander Köpeczi is Prince Gremin, former Apprentice Singer Meridian Prall returns as Filipyevna and Ya-Chung Huang performs Monsieur Triquet. Apprentice Singers include Tzvi Bat Asherah as Zaretsky, Will Ryan as Captain and Dominic Salvati as Peasant.
6 performances are scheduled: July 18, 22, 31; August 6, 12 & 19.
Eugene Onegin
Music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Libretto by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Based on Eugene Onegin (1825-1832; 1833) by Alexander Pushkin
Premiered March 29, 1879, The Maly Theatre, Moscow, Russia
Revival of the 2021 Santa Fe Opera Production
6 performances — July 18, 22, 31; August 6, 12 & 19, 2026
Sung in Russian with opera titles in English and Spanish
Approximately 3 hours 30 minutes; includes two 25-minute intermissions
Production support generously provided by
Peter Bruce Frank & Leslie Rae Shaw
The John Crosby Production Fund
Additional artistic support provided by
Kay Marks in memory of Anthony Marks
The Jane & Arthur T. Stieren, Jr. Endowment Fund
The engagement of Keri-Lynn Wilson is supported by
The Marineau Family Foundation in memory of Susan Marineau
Creative Team
Conductor Keri-Lynn Wilson*
Conductor Robert Tweten (August 12 & 19)
Director Alessandro Talevi
Scenic & Costume Design Gary McCann
Lighting Design Rick Fisher
Wig and Makeup Design David Zimmerman
Chorus Director Susanne Sheston
Choreographer Athol Farmer
Fight & Intimacy Director Andrew Kenneth Moss
Cast
Tatyana Olga Kulchynska*
Eugene Onegin Mattia Olivieri*
Vladimir Lensky Iván Ayón-Rivas*~
Olga Lindsay Ammann*
Prince Gremin Alexander Köpeczi
Larina Susan Graham
Filipyevna Meridian Prall+
Monsieur Triquet Ya-Chung Huang
Zaretsky Tzvi Bat Asherah^
Captain Will Ryan^
Peasant Dominic Salvati^
The Santa Fe Opera Orchestra & Chorus
*Santa Fe Opera Debut, ^Current Santa Fe Opera Apprentice, +Former Santa Fe Opera Apprentice, ~American Debut
Rodelinda
Queen Rodelinda navigates a dangerous political web to protect her throne and family, while her love for her supposedly-dead husband reignites in a dramatic clash of passion and ambition. A timeless story of despair, love and ultimately, redemption, unfolds in a bold new production that will grip you from first to final note.
The company premiere of Handel’s Rodelinda follows, opening on July 25. Inspired by a production hailed as a Critic’s Pick by The New York Times when first staged by R.B. Schlather at the historic Hudson Hall in 2023, this production pairs Baroque orchestration led by Handel specialist Harry Bicket with what Schlather describes as a “noir melodrama gangster story” — a tale of love, power, loyalty and redemption, underscored by exquisite music. With beautiful period costumes from Doey Lüthi, lighting by Masha Tsimring and scenic design by R.B. Schlather and Associate Scenic Designer Jiaying Zhang, the result is a visually striking show complete with a dynamic turntable set. David Zimmerman serves as Wig and Makeup Designer and Andrew Kenneth Moss is the Fight and Intimacy Director. Susanne Sheston is the Chorus Director.
The cast features several company debuts, including Lucy Crowe as Rodelinda, Anthony Gregory as Grimoaldo and Hugh Cutting as Unulfo. Returning to the Santa Fe Opera are Iestyn Davies as Bertarido, Meridian Prall as Eduige, William Guanbo Su as Garibaldo, and Maximilian Moore as Flavio.
5 performances are scheduled: July 25, 29; August 7, 11 & 21.
Rodelinda
Music by George Frideric Handel
Libretto by Nicola Francesco Haym
Premiered February 13, 1725, King’s Theatre, London, Great Britain
A New Santa Fe Opera Production re-envisioned from a production
originally commissioned by Hudson Hall, at the historic Hudson Opera House
5 performances —July 25, 29; August 7, 11 & 21, 2026
Sung in Italian with opera titles in English and Spanish
Approximately 3 hours 20 minutes; includes a 25-minute intermission
Additional artistic support provided by
The L.A. and A.O. Crosby Endowment Fund
The Fund for New or Rarely Performed Operas by Patricia A. McFate in memory of
Ambassador Sidney N. Graybeal
Linda Pierce
The engagement of Harry Bicket is supported by
Guy L. & Catherine D. Gronquist
The performances of Lucy Crowe are supported by
Phillip Muth & Julie Underriner
Creative Team
Conductor Harry Bicket
Production R.B. Schlather
Associate Scenic Design Jiaying Zhang*
Costume Design Doey Lüthi*
Lighting Design Masha Tsimring*
Wig and Makeup Design David Zimmerman
Fight & Intimacy Director Andrew Kenneth Moss
Cast
Rodelinda Lucy Crowe*
Bertarido Iestyn Davies
Grimoaldo Anthony Gregory*
Eduige Meridian Prall+
Unulfo Hugh Cutting*
Garibaldo William Guanbo Su
Flavio Maximilian Moore
The Santa Fe Opera Orchestra
*Santa Fe Opera Debut, ^Current Santa Fe Opera Apprentice, +Former Santa Fe Opera Apprentice, ~American Debut
Lili Elbe
Lili’s journey—marked by love, loss and self-discovery—is the true story of a Danish painter who, with the steadfast support of her wife Gerda, became one of the first to undergo gender-affirmation surgery nearly a century ago.
Rounding out the 2026 Season is the American premiere of Lili Elbe, a two-act opera by Grammy Award-winning composer Tobias Picker, with a libretto by Aryeh Lev Stollman, dramaturgy by Lucia Lucas and direction by James Robinson in a new co-production with Seattle Opera. Of special note is the return of Mr. Picker to the Santa Fe Opera, where, thirty years ago, his first opera, Emmeline, received its world premiere and was captured for national broadcast by PBS’ Great Performances.
Recipient of the 2023 OPER! Award for Best World Premiere, this groundbreaking work tells the powerful true story of Lili Elbe (1882–1931), a Danish landscape painter who became one of the first individuals to undergo gender-affirmation surgery nearly 100 years ago. With the unwavering support of her wife, artist Gerda Wegener, Lili embarks on a courageous journey of self-discovery, facing profound love, loss and the human cost of pioneering change.
Says General Director Robert K. Meya, “At the heart of any thriving society is the freedom to live truthfully — to seek self-realization without fear or denial. Lili Elbe is more than a powerful new opera; it is a poignant reminder of what it means to fight for authenticity, dignity and love. We are honored to bring this extraordinary true story to our stage and to continue championing works that reflect the full spectrum of the human experience.”
Director James Robinson’s production emphasizes the opera’s underlying story of Orpheus and Eurydice which parallels the shifting emotional landscapes of Lili and Gerda. Scenic design by Allen Moyer brings the elegance of 1920s Copenhagen and Paris to life with costumes by Marco Piemontese reflecting evolving perceptions of identity and self-reinvention. Marcus Doshi provides lighting with projections by Greg Emetaz. David Zimmerman is the Wig and Makeup Designer, Andrew Kenneth Moss is the Fight and Intimacy Director and Seán Curran serves as Choreographer. Susanne Sheston is the Chorus Director.
Lucia Lucas, a celebrated Heldenbaritone, stars in the title role and serves as dramaturg, bringing a performance shaped by artistry and lived experience. Maestro Roberto Kalb leads the Santa Fe Opera Orchestra and a stunning cast including Sylvia D’Eramo as Gerda Wegener, Josh Lovell as Claude Lejeune, Lindsay Ammann as Mother Wegener, Andrew Harris as Professor Warnekros and Drew Comer as Christian X. The cast also includes Apprentice Singers Deanna Ray Eberhart in the role of Dagmar, Kyle White as Eric Allatini, Ryan Wolfe as Marius Wegener, Lauryn Davis as the Danish Countess, and Evan Lazdowski as the Art Critic.
Making their SFO debuts are Apprentice Singers Alexis Seminario in the role of Matron, Anna Kelly as Hélène Allatini, Joshua Klein as Major Fernando Porta, Lindsay Martin as Orpheus and Anna Larssen and Audrey Welsh as Eurydice and Young Woman.
5 performances are scheduled: August 1, 5, 14, 18 & 27.
In conjunction with the American premiere of Lili Elbe, the Santa Fe Opera will present “Transformative Voices,” a series of conversations, performances and film screenings in Santa Fe and Albuquerque throughout July exploring themes of identity, artistry, history and representation in partnership with the Lensic Performing Arts Center, Center for Contemporary Arts, CHATTER, Guild Cinema and Jean Cocteau Cinema. The series culminates in a free, day-long Symposium, “Lili Elbe: Art, Life and Opera,” on Sunday, July 26 at the Lensic Performing Arts Center in downtown Santa Fe. More information can be found at santafeopera.org/whats-on/lili-elbe-events..
Lili Elbe
Music by Tobias Picker
Libretto by Aryeh Lev Stollman
Premiered October 22, 2023, Konzert und Theater St. Gallen, Switzerland
American premiere and a new co-production with Seattle Opera
Used by arrangement with European American Music Distributors Company, sole U.S. and Canadian agent for Schott Helicon Music Corporation, New York, NY
5 performances — August 1, 5, 14, 18 & 27, 2026
Sung in English with opera titles in English and Spanish
Approximately 2 hours 25 minutes; includes a 25-minute intermission
Production support generously provided by
Anonymous
Wyncote Foundation, as recommended by Frederick R. Haas & Rafael Gomez
TAWANI Foundation
David A. Kaplan and Glenn A. Ostergaard – Brautigam-Kaplan-Ostergaard Foundation
Robert L. Turner
Additional artistic support provided by
The Edgar Foster Daniels Foundation
Henry R. Muñoz III
The Stark Family
The General Director’s Premiere Fund in honor of Richard Gaddes
Carol Franc Buck Foundation
Michael Hormel
The engagement of Roberto Kalb is supported by
Roma Wittcoff
The performances of Lucia Lucas are supported by
The Bob Ross Foundation
The performances of Sylvia D’Eramo are supported by
The Peter B. Frank Principal Artist Fund
Creative Team
Composer Tobias Picker
Librettist Aryeh Lev Stollman*
Conductor Roberto Kalb
Director James Robinson
Scenic Design Allen Moyer
Costume Design Marco Piemontese*
Lighting Design Marcus Doshi
Projections Greg Emetaz
Wig & Makeup Design David Zimmerman
Chorus Director Susanne Sheston
Choreographer Seán Curran
Fight & Intimacy Director Andrew Kenneth Moss
Dramaturgy Lucia Lucas+
Cast
Lili Elbe Lucia Lucas+*
Gerda Wegener Sylvia D’Eramo+
Claude LeJeune Josh Lovell
Mother Wegener Lindsay Ammann
Professor Warnekros Andrew Harris+
Dagmar Deanna Ray Eberhart^
Matron Alexis Seminario^*
Hélène Allatini Anna Kelly^*
Orpheus/Anna Larssen Lindsay Martin^*
Eurydice/Young Woman Audrey Welsh
Eric Allatini Kyle White^
Marius Wegener Ryan Wolfe^
Major Fernando Porta Joshua Klein^*
Danish Countess Lauryn Davis^
Christian X Drew Comer+
The Santa Fe Opera Orchestra & Chorus
*Santa Fe Opera Debut, ^Current Santa Fe Opera Apprentice, +Former Santa Fe Opera Apprentice, ~American Debut
2026 Debuts
Lindsay Ammann (Mezzo-soprano); Melanie Bacaling (Director); Sophia Baete^ (Mezzo-soprano); Natalie Corrigan^ (Mezzo-soprano); Lucy Crowe (Soprano); Hugh Cutting (Countertenor);Lauryn Davis (Soprano); Chris Fisher (Illusions); Alissa Goretsky^ (Soprano); Anthony Gregory (Tenor); Sunghoon Han (Bass-Baritone); Joélle Harvey (Soprano); Simon Higlett (Scenic Design); Karen Chia-ling Ho (Soprano); Jeni Houser (Soprano); Ya-Chung Huang~ (Tenor); Matthew Juhlin^ (Baritone); Anna Kelly^ (Mezzo-soprano); Joshua Klein^ (Baritone); Alexander Köpeczi (Bass); Olga Kulchynska (Soprano); Sabrina Langlois^ (Soprano);Christopher Luscombe (Director); Josh Lovell (Tenor); Lucia Lucas+ (Baritone); Doey Lüthi (Costume Design); Lindsay Martin (Mezzo-soprano); Darya Narymanava^ (Mezzo-soprano); Mattia Olivieri (Baritone); Marco Piemontese (Costume Design); Sun-Ly Pierce (Mezzo-soprano); Iván Ayón-Rivas~ (Tenor); Philip Rosenberg (Lighting Design); Dominic Salvati^ (Tenor); Alexis Seminario^ (Soprano); Aryeh Lev Stollman (Librettist); Masha Tsimring (Lighting Design); Audrey Welsh^ (Mezzo-soprano); Kyle White^ (Baritone); Keri-Lynn Wilson (Conductor); Yeongtaek Yang^ (Baritone); Dani Jingdan Zhang^ (Soprano); Jiaying Zhang (Associate Scenic Design)
2026 Returning Artists
With most recent appearance
Singers
Tzvi Bat Asherah^ (Der Rosenkavalier. 2024); Le Bu+ (Rigoletto, 2025); Jonathan Burton (Tosca, 2023); Drew Comer+ (La traviata, 2024); Stephen Costello+ (Roméo et Juliette, 2016); Iestyn Davies (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 2021); Sylvia D’Eramo+ (La bohème, 2025); Deanna Ray Eberhart^ (Die Walküre, 2025); Matthew Goodheart^ (Der Rosenkavalier, 2024); Susan Graham (Pelléas et Mélisande); Spencer Hamlin+ (Der Rosenkavalier, 2024); Andrew Harris+ (Doctor Atomic, 2018); Evan Lazdowski^ (La bohème, 2025); Will Liverman+ (La bohème, 2019);Jarrett Ott+ (The Lord of Cries, 2021); Meridian Prall+ (Orfeo, 2023); Lauren Randolph^ (Die Walküre, 2025); Will Ryan^ (La bohème, 2025); Jazmine Saunders^ (The Righteous, 2024); William Guanbo Su (Don Giovanni, 2024); Jasmin Ward^ (Die Walküre, 2025); Ryan Wolfe^ (Rigoletto, 2025)
Conductors
Harry Bicket (The Marriage of Figaro, 2025); John Fiore (Tosca, 2023); Roberto Kalb (The Elixir of Love, 2024); Robert Tweten (Falstaff, 2022)
Directors
R.B. Schlather (Così fan tutte, 2019); James Robinson (La bohème, 2025); Alessandro Talevi (Eugene Onegin, 2021)
Choreographers & Designers
Seán Curran (M. Butterfly, 2022); Marcus Doshi (La traviata, 2024); Greg Emetaz (The Righteous, 2024); Athol Farmer (Eugene Onegin, 2021); Rick Fisher (Rigoletto, 2025); Gary McCann (Der Rosenkavalier, 2024); Allen Moyer (La bohème, 2025); Robert Perdziola (La traviata, 2002); Jean-Marc Puissant (The Pearl Fishers, 2019); Brigitte Reiffenstuel (The Pearl Fishers, 2019)
Composer
Tobias Picker (Emmeline, 1996)
Chorus Director
Susanne Sheston (2025 Season)
^Current Santa Fe Opera Apprentice, +Former Santa Fe Opera Apprentice, ~American Debut
Apprentice Scenes
August 16
Sung in various languages with opera titles in English and Spanish
Tickets from $5 to $25
Featuring:
The Apprentice Program for Singers
The Apprentice Program for Theater Technicians
Stage Directors Michelle Cuizon and Alison Pogorelc
Apprentices in Concert with the Santa Fe Opera Orchestra
August 23
Sung in various languages with opera titles in English and Spanish
Tickets from $5 to $25
Featuring:
The Apprentice Program for Singers
The Apprentice Program for Theater Technicians
The Santa Fe Opera Orchestra
Conductor James Gaffigan
Stage Director Melanie Bacaling
About The Santa Fe Opera
Recognized in 2022 as “Festival of the Year” at the International Opera Awards, the Santa Fe Opera annually draws 70,000 people from New Mexico and around the globe. Nestled atop a mountain vista in northern New Mexico, the company’s iconic Crosby Theatre is open on three sides, allowing visitors to enjoy performances complemented by the elements. Since 1957 the company has presented over 2,000 performances of 180 operas by 92 composers spanning five centuries of opera, creating a legacy of 45 American premieres and 19 world premieres.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility at the Santa Fe Opera
Opera has the power to speak truth, broaden perspectives and invite empathy. The Santa Fe Opera is committed to the continuous work of becoming an antiracist and anti-oppressive organization and incorporating the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility. Our goal is to create a joyful and engaging environment in which a diverse community of artists, staff, volunteers and audiences alike belong.
The mission of the Santa Fe Opera is to advance the operatic art form by presenting ensemble performances of the highest quality in a unique setting with a varied repertory of new, rarely performed and standard works; to ensure the excellence of opera’s future through apprentice programs for singers, technicians and arts administrators; and to foster an understanding and appreciation of opera among a diverse public.
Discover More: SantaFeOpera.org
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