The Santa Fe Opera Invites Community to Opera in the Park with a Free Screening of La bohème on September 21
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Media Contact: Emily Doyle Moore | media@santafeopera.org | 505-986-5908
Event Contact: Anna Garcia | agarcia@santafeopera.org
Santa Fe, NM — The Santa Fe Opera is pleased to announce the return of Opera in the Park with a free, public screening of Giacomo Puccini’s La bohème at the Santa Fe Railyard Park on Sunday, September 21 at 4:30 pm. The company invites long-time opera fans and curious newcomers to bring a picnic and enjoy the live-recorded performance in stunning resolution and vivid operatic sound, celebrating the magic of open-air opera from The Crosby Theatre. The new production, which opened the opera’s season on June 27, has received enthusiastic acclaim from audiences and critics alike. Peter Alexander for Sharps and Flatirons writes, “The cast is strong, the sets intriguing, the orchestra excellent, as always. And Santa Fe nights lend themselves perfectly to this drama of bohemian companionship, young love and loss.” This event is part of the opera’s 68th Festival Season celebrations and ongoing commitment to bringing the joy of opera to the communities of New Mexico.
The Santa Fe Opera wishes to acknowledge Opera in the Park sponsors: The Santa Fe Railyard Community Corporation, City of Santa Fe and the Santa Fe Opera’s Principal Education Sponsor, the Hankins Foundation. Brian Weed directs the video recording with support from assistant director Nathan Troup and post-production by Cut Print Video Production; Kabby Sound Studios provides the audio engineering. Artist appearances are made possible through the American Guild of Musical Artists, AFL-CIO and the American Federation of Musicians, Local 618. More information about the event can be found online at www.santafeopera.org/whats-on/opera-in-the-park-2025.
About La bohème
In the vibrant playground of 1920s Paris, six Bohemians come together in pursuit of connection, meaning and artistic greatness. A new co-production with Seattle Opera and set in this golden age of artistic revolution, Puccini’s timeless tale of love, longing and sacrifice resonates anew. In his review for the Santa Fe New Mexican, Mark Tiarks sums it up nicely: “…the 2025 Bohème stands in the top tier of recent Santa Fe Opera productions.”
With scenery by Allen Moyer, costume design by Constance Hoffman and lighting by Duane Schuler, audiences can expect a visual feast that complements the emotional depth of a work that has captivated audiences through every medium: the opera house, on Broadway and in film. David Zimmerman designs wigs and makeup for the production. The Chorus Director is Susanne Sheston and the Children’s Chorus Director is Willem van Schalkwyk. Andrew Moss serves as Fight and Intimacy Director.
Conductor Iván López Reynoso leads a talented international cast. American soprano and former Apprentice singer Sylvia D’Eramo sings Mimì alongside several artists making their company debut: Chinese tenor Long Long is Rodolfo; Polish baritone Szymon Mechliński is Marcello, marking his U.S. debut; American soprano and former Apprentice singer Emma Marhefka is Musetta; and Mexican-American baritone Efraín Solís sings Schaunard. American bass Soloman Howard returns to the SFO stage as Colline, with American bass Kevin Burdette portraying both Benoît and Alcindoro.
La bohème
Music by Giacomo Puccini
Libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa
Based on Scènes de la vie de bohème (1851) by Henri Murger
Premiered February 1, 1896, Teatro Regio, Turin, Italy
A New Co-Production with Seattle Opera
Production support generously provided by
The Tobin Endowment
Additional artistic support by
E.H. Corrigan Foundation Fund
The performances of Sylvia D’Eramo are supported by
David & Frances Ertel
The performances of Emma Marhefka are supported by
The Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation
The performances of Efraín Solís are supported by
The Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation
Creative Team
Conductor Iván López Reynoso
Director James Robinson
Scenic Design Allen Moyer
Costume Design Constance Hoffman
Lighting Design Duane Schuler
Wig & Makeup Design David Zimmerman
Chorus Director Susanne Sheston
Children’s Chorus Director Willem van Schalkwyk
Fight & Intimacy Director Andrew Moss
Cast
Mimì Sylvia D’Eramo+
Rodolfo Long Long*
Marcello Szymon Mechliński*~
Musetta Emma Marhefka*
Colline Soloman Howard
Schaunard Efraín Solís*
Schaunard Korin Thomas-Smith= (August 14, 19 & 23)
Benoît/Alcindoro Kevin Burdette
Parpignol Ángel Vargas*=
Sergeant Evan Lazdowski*=
Officer Randell McGee=
Street Vendor Jacob Abrahamse*=
The Santa Fe Opera Orchestra & Chorus
*Santa Fe Opera debut, +Former Santa Fe Opera Apprentice,
=Current Santa Fe Opera Apprentice, ~American debut
For Calendar Keepers:
What: A free community screening of a live-recorded performance of Puccini’s La bohème presented by the Santa Fe Opera.
When: Sunday, September 21
Where: Railyard Park, 740 Cerrillos Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87505
Time: 4 pm lawn seating opens
Screening begins: 4:30 pm
Run time: Approximately 2 hours with no intermission
More information: Learn more at www.santafeopera.org/whats-on/opera-in-the-park-2025
Highlights trailer: www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyYISKVuXQE
Contact Information
For questions about the venue or event, please contact Manager of Programs and Partnerships Anna Garcia at agarcia@santafeopera.org.
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.
Discover More: santafeopera.org
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