The Santa Fe Opera and the Center for Contemporary Arts (CCA) invite you to set the stage for the 2026 Festival Season with a specially curated film series exploring the powerful intersection of cinema and opera.

Each screening is thoughtfully paired with a production from the Santa Fe Opera’s summer season, offering new perspectives on timeless stories of love, identity, transformation and human connection. Featuring introductions and conversations with members of the season’s creative teams, these evenings provide a unique opportunity to experience opera through a cinematic lens.

Join us Wednesdays at 6 pm throughout July for evenings of film, conversation and discovery.

Start Time: 6 pm
Location: Center for Contemporary Arts (CCA)
1050 Old Pecos Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87505

Wednesday, July 1 at 6 pm
The Magic Flute (1975)

To open the series, director Christopher Luscombe joins us to introduce a screening of Ingmar Bergman’s The Magic Flute (1975). Based on The Magic Flute by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, this beloved opera follows Prince Tamino on a fantastical journey of love, trial and transformation. With its iconic score and rich symbolism, The Magic Flute remains one of the most enchanting works in the operatic repertoire.

Christopher Luscombe began his career as an actor with the Royal Shakespeare Company before establishing an international reputation as a director across theater and opera. His work has been seen at the National Theatre, Shakespeare’s Globe and in the West End, where his productions have received multiple Olivier Award nominations and wins. His production of The Rocky Horror Show has toured globally for more than 20 years. In opera, he has directed works for companies including Garsington Opera, Bergen National Opera and Wexford Festival, and he makes his Santa Fe Opera debut this season with The Magic Flute.

Film Runtime: 135 minutes
MPA Rating: NR

Buy Tickets at CCA

Wednesday, July 15 at 6 pm
Brief Encounter (1945)

Director Alessandro Talevi introduces a screening of David Lean’s Brief Encounter (1945), written by Noel Coward, a poignant cinematic exploration of love, restraint and missed connection. The film’s emotional landscape offers a compelling companion to Eugene Onegin by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, in which deeply felt emotions unfold beneath the rigid conventions of society.

Recognized as one of the leading opera directors of his generation, Alessandro Talevi is known for his imaginative and psychologically insightful productions. His work has been seen at major houses worldwide including Teatro Real, La Fenice, Opera North and the Santa Fe Opera, where he returns this season to direct Eugene Onegin. Born in Johannesburg, he studied music and art history before training at the Royal Academy of Music in London and now lives in Turin.

Film Runtime: 86 minutes
MPA Rating: NR

Buy Tickets at CCA

Wednesday, July 29 at 6 pm
The Danish Girl (2015)

To conclude the series, the director of Lili Elbe James Robinson joins us to introduce a screening of Tom Hooper’s The Danish Girl (2015). Inspired by the life of pioneering transgender artist Lili Elbe, the film traces a deeply personal journey of identity, transformation and love, resonating with the themes explored in this season’s American premiere.

James Robinson is General & Artistic Director of Seattle Opera and one of the most respected directors working in opera today. He has staged productions at The Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago and companies around the world, including several acclaimed world premieres. A frequent collaborator with Santa Fe Opera, his past productions include La bohème, Vanessa, Dr. Sun Yat Sen and Così fan tutte. His work is known for its emotional depth and commitment to contemporary storytelling.

Film Runtime: 120 minutes
MPA Rating: R

Buy Tickets at CCA

Bonus Screening at Sky Cinemas Midtown!

Film Screening Only

Sunday, July 12 at 11 am
Location: 1020 Midtown Calle Central. Santa Fe, NM 87505
Gaslight (1944)

Get in the mood for R.B. Schlather’s noir-inspired reimagining of Handel’s Rodelinda with a special matinee screening of George Cukor’s Gaslight.  This classic psychological thriller of manipulation, power and hidden truths offers a compelling cinematic prelude to one of the season’s most anticipated productions.

Film Runtime: 114 minutes
MPA Rating: NR

Buy Tickets at Sky Cinemas

Principal Education Sponsor

Thanks to our Host