The Santa Fe Opera Announces the 2026 Season
The Santa Fe Opera Announces Celebrated Favorites, a Company Premiere and an American Premiere in the 2026 Season
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, 2026: An enhanced revival of Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin from the 2021 Season
July 25, 2026: Handel’s Rodelinda, a company premiere and new Santa Fe Opera production inspired by an acclaimed production commissioned by Hudson Hall at the historic Hudson Opera House
August 1, 2026: The American premiere of Lili Elbe, an opera in two acts by Grammy-winning American composer Tobias Picker and librettist Aryeh Lev Stollman
Visitor Experiences will include Tailgating, Tours, Preview Dinners, Free Prelude Talks & More
Individual Tickets & Subscriptions on sale now at santafeopera.org
Santa Fe, NM — In 2026, the Santa Fe Opera presents a lineup of classic, rarely performed and new works. 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, showcasing the opera’s singing and technical apprentices. The first performance on August 16 honors the longtime tradition of staged scenes from the repertoire. The second performance on August 23 will feature the Apprentice singers in a concert with The Santa Fe Opera Orchestra.
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 the American premiere of 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 2025 and 2026 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.
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. Former Apprentice singers Jarrett Ott and Le Bu perform Sharpless and the Bonze, respectively.
12 performances are scheduled: July 3, 8, 11, 17, 24; August 3, 8, 10, 15, 20, 26 & 29, 2026
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. Susanne Sheston serves as Chorus Director.
Making company debuts are Josh Lovell as Tamino, Joélle Harvey as Pamina, Rainelle Krause as the Queen of the Night and Alexander Köpeczi as Sarastro. Several former Apprentice singers return, including Will Liverman as Papageno, Spencer Hamlin as Monostatos and Le Bu as the Speaker. 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, 2026
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 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, Susanne Sheston serves as Chorus Director and Athol Farmer is the Choreographer.
Conducted by Keri-Lynn Wilson in her company debut and SFO head of music staff Robert Tweten (August 19), the production features an international cast. Making both American and company debuts are Azerbaijani mezzo-soprano Elmina Hasan in the role of Olga and Peruvian tenor Iván Ayón-Rivas as Lensky; making company debuts are Olga Kulchynska as Tatyana, Mattia Olivieri as Onegin and Lindsay Ammann as Larina. Alexander Köpeczi is Prince Gremin, former Apprentice singer Meridian Prall returns as Filipyevna and Ya-Chung Huang performs Monsieur Triquet.
6 performances are scheduled: July 18, 22, 31; August 6, 12 & 19, 2026
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.
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 and William Guanbo Su as Garibaldo.
5 performances are scheduled: July 25, 29; August 7, 11 & 21, 2026
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. Susanne Sheston is the Chorus Director and Seán Curran serves as Choreographer.
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 and former Apprentice singer Andrew Harris as Professor Warnekros.
5 performances are scheduled: August 1, 5, 14, 18 & 27, 2026
2026 Debuts
Lindsay Ammann (Mezzo-soprano); Melanie Bacaling (Director); Lucy Crowe (Soprano); Hugh Cutting (Countertenor); Chris Fisher (Illusions); Anthony Gregory (Tenor); Joélle Harvey (Soprano); Elmina Hasan~ (Mezzo-soprano); Simon Higlett (Scenic Design); Karen Chia-ling Ho (Soprano); Ya-Chung Huang~ (Tenor); Alexander Köpeczi (Bass); Rainelle Krause (Soprano); Olga Kulchynska (Soprano); Christopher Luscombe (Director); Josh Lovell (Tenor); Doey Lüthi (Costume Design); Mattia Olivieri (Baritone); Marco Piemontese (Costume Design); Sun-Ly Pierce (Mezzo-soprano); Iván Ayón-Rivas~ (Tenor); Philip Rosenberg (Lighting Design); Aryeh Lev Stollman (Librettist); Masha Tsimring (Lighting Design); Keri-Lynn Wilson (Conductor); Jiaying Zhang (Associate Scenic Design)
2026 Returning Artists
With most recent or upcoming opera appearance
Singers
Le Bu+ (Rigoletto, 2025); Jonathan Burton (Tosca, 2023); Stephen Costello (Roméo et Juliette, 2016); Iestyn Davies (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 2021); Sylvia D’Eramo+ (La bohème, 2025); Spencer Hamlin+ (Der Rosenkavalier, 2024); Andrew Harris+ (Doctor Atomic, 2018); Will Liverman+ (La bohème, 2019); Lucia Lucas+ (The Letter, 2009); Jarrett Ott+ (The Lord of Cries, 2021); Meridian Prall+ (Orfeo, 2023); William Guanbo Su (Don Giovanni, 2024)
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)
+Former Santa Fe Opera Apprentice, ~American Debut
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
Creative Team
Conductor John Fiore
Director Melanie Bacaling*
Scenic Design Jean-Marc Puissant
Costume Design Brigitte Reiffenstuel
Lighting Design Rick Fisher
Chorus Director Susanne Sheston
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+
The Santa Fe Opera Orchestra & Chorus
*Santa Fe Opera Debut, +Former Santa Fe Opera Apprentice, ~American Debut
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
Creative Team
Conductor Harry Bicket
Director Christopher Luscombe*
Scenic Design Simon Higlett*
Costume Design Robert Perdziola
Lighting Design Philip Rosenberg*
Illusions Chris Fisher*
Chorus Director Susanne Sheston
Cast
Tamino Josh Lovell*
Pamina Joélle Harvey*
The Queen of the Night Rainelle Krause*
Sarastro Alexander Köpeczi*
Papageno Will Liverman+
Monostatos Spencer Hamlin+
Speaker Le Bu+
The Santa Fe Opera Orchestra & Chorus
*Santa Fe Opera Debut, +Former Santa Fe Opera Apprentice, ~American Debut
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
Creative Team
Conductor Keri-Lynn Wilson*
Conductor Robert Tweten (August 19)
Director Alessandro Talevi
Scenic & Costume Design Gary McCann
Lighting Design Rick Fisher
Chorus Director Susanne Sheston
Choreographer Athol Farmer
Cast
Tatyana Olga Kulchynska*
Eugene Onegin Mattia Olivieri*
Vladimir Lensky Iván Ayón-Rivas*~
Olga Elmina Hasan*~
Prince Gremin Alexander Köpeczi
Larina Lindsay Ammann*
Filipyevna Meridian Prall+
Monsieur Triquet Ya-Chung Huang
The Santa Fe Opera Orchestra & Chorus
*Santa Fe Opera Debut, +Former Santa Fe Opera Apprentice, ~American Debut
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
Creative Team
Conductor Harry Bicket
Production R.B. Schlather
Associate Scenic Design Jiaying Zhang*
Costume Design Doey Lüthi*
Lighting Design Masha Tsimring*
Cast
Rodelinda Lucy Crowe*
Bertarido Iestyn Davies
Grimoaldo Anthony Gregory*
Eduige Meridian Prall+
Unulfo Hugh Cutting*
Garibaldo William Guanbo Su
The Santa Fe Opera Orchestra
*Santa Fe Opera Debut, +Former Santa Fe Opera Apprentice, ~American Debut
Lili Elbe
Music by Tobias Picker
Libretto by Aryeh Lev Stollman
Premiered October 22, 2023, Theater St. Gallen, 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
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
Chorus Director Susanne Sheston
Choreographer Seán Curran
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+
The Santa Fe Opera Orchestra & Chorus
*Santa Fe Opera Debut, +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
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
About the Santa Fe Opera — Recognized in 2022 as “Festival of the Year” at the International Opera Awards, the Santa Fe Opera annually draws 85,000 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.
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.