La belle Hélène 2003
A riotous romp…
…through the love lives of the all-too-human Greek gods and goddesses in Offenbach’s sublime comic masterpiece.
Synopsis
Act I
Helen and the other women of Sparta complain to the goddess Aphrodite that love has vanished from their world. On the other hand, Helen is intrigued by the report that Paris has won the love of the most beautiful woman on earth, since she is reputed to be that woman. The kings of Greece arrive in a mock-heroic procession and proceed to play a series of party games, with the prize to be awarded to the winner by Helen herself. Paris, disguised as a shepherd, is triumphant. Helen and Menelas invite Paris to dine with them. Calchas, the high priest, arranges for a phony emergency, which requires Menelas to depart immediately for Crete, leaving Helen and Paris together for an intimate dinner.
Act II
Helen vows to resist Paris, although she is clearly attracted to him. She asks Calchas to send her a dream in which she can see Paris and she falls asleep. Disguised as a slave, Paris enters and Helen awakens. The two sing a love duet, which Helen justifies by saying that it is just her dream. Menelas returns unexpectedly, interrupting the kissing couple, and Paris is sent back home to Troy.
Act III
The kings have all gone to an off-season holiday at the beach. Aphrodite, angered that Paris has not yet won Helen, has put the entire population into a frenzy of sex and adultery. The other Greek kings urge Menelas to think of the country, rather than his marriage, and give Helen to Paris. He has another plan, however, and summons the “High Priest of Venus” to arrange for help. The High Priest arrives – it is Paris, again in disguise – and orders that Helen set sail to Cythera with him. Helen, recognizing Paris, pretends to resist, but the population insists that she leave. She finally agrees and Paris reveals his true identity, after the boat has sailed from shore.
Artists
Susan Graham
Mezzo-soprano
Hélène
Susan Graham
Hometown: Roswell, NM
SFO Debut:
Flora Bervoix, La traviata, 1989
Past Seasons:
Geneviève, Pelléas et Mélisande, 2023
Prince Orlovsky, Die Fledermaus, 2017
Clairon, Capriccio, 2016
Grand Duchess, The Grand Duchess of Gerolstein, 2013
Susan Graham and Friends Gala Concert, 2012
Cecilio, Lucio Silla, 2005
Hélène, La belle Hélène, 2003
Orchestral Concert, 2002
Beatrice, Beatrice and Benedict, 1998
Cherubino, The Marriage of Figaro, 1991
Dorabella, Così fan tutte, 1990
Composer, Ariadne auf Naxos, 1990
Annina, Der Rosenkavalier, 1989
William Burden
Tenor
Paris (June 27 - August 15)
William Burden
Hometown: Miami, FL
SFO Debut:
Lindoro, The Italian Girl In Algiers, 2002
Santa Fe Opera Apprentice: 1989, 1990
Past Seasons:
The Podestà, La finta giardiniera, 2015
Frank Harris, Oscar, 2013
Shepherd, King Roger, 2012
Susan Graham and Friends Gala Concert, 2012
Captain Vere, Billy Budd, 2008
Benedict, Beatrice and Benedict, 2004
Paris, La belle Hélène, 2003 (June 27 – August 15)
Ambassador from Edom, Judith, 1990
Lackey, Der Rosenkavalier, 1989
Brandon Jovanovich
Tenor
Paris (August 20 & 23)
Brandon Jovanovich
Hometown: Billings, MT
SFO Debut:
Baron Lummer, Intermezzo, 2003
Santa Fe Opera Apprentice: 1996, 1997
Past Seasons:
B.F. Pinkerton, Madame Butterfly, 2010
Pâris, La belle Hélène, 2003 (August 20 & 23)
Apollo, Semele, 1997
Welko, Arabella, 1997
François Le Roux
Baritone
Calchas
François Le Roux
Hometown: Rennes, France
SFO Debut:
John Ruskin, Modern Painters, 1995
Past Seasons:
Calchas, La belle Hélène, 2003
Barry Banks
Tenor
Ménélas
Barry Banks
Hometown: Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom
SFO Debut:
Oreste, Ermione, 2000
Past Seasons:
Astrologer, The Golden Cockerel, 2017
Ménélas, La belle Hélène, 2003
Stroh, Intermezzo, 2003
Timothy Nolen
Baritone
Agamemnon
Timothy Nolen
Hometown: Rotan, TX
SFO Debut:
Löwel Perl, The Black Mask, 1988
Past Seasons:
Mr. Flint, Billy Budd, 2008
Benoit, La bohème, 2007
Somarone, Beatrice and Benedict, 2004
Agamemnon, La belle Hélène, 2003
The Notary, Intermezzo, 2003
Taddeo, The Italian Girl in Algiers, 2002
Popolescu, Countess Maritza, 1999
Major Domo, Ariadne auf Naxos, 1999
Somarone, Beatrice and Benedict, 1998
Don Alfonso, Così fan tutte, 1997
Popolescu, Countess Maritza, 1995
Frank, Die Fledermaus, 1992
Mr. Peachum, The Beggar’s Opera, 1992
Michael Kirkpatrick
Bass
Philocome
Michael Kirkpatrick
Hometown: Fort Collins, Co
Santa Fe Opera Apprentice: 2003
Past Seasons:
Philocome, La belle Hélène, 2003
Kristin Rothfuss
Mezzo-soprano
Oreste
Kristin Rothfuss
Hometown: Santa Barbara, CA
Santa Fe Opera Apprentice: 2002, 2003
Past Seasons:
Oreste, La belle Hélène, 2003
Leah Wool
Mezzo-soprano
Léoena
Leah Wool
Hometown: New York, NY
Santa Fe Opera Apprentice: 2003, 2004
Past Seasons:
Maidservant, Beatrice and Benedict, 2004
Léoena, La belle Hélène, 2003
Meredith Barber
Soprano
Parthoenis
Meredith Barber
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Santa Fe Opera Apprentice: 2002, 2003
Past Seasons:
Parthoenis, La belle Hélène, 2003
Adam Kirkpatrick
Tenor
Ajax I
Adam Kirkpatrick
Hometown: La Grange, GA
Santa Fe Opera Apprentice: 2003
Past Seasons:
Ajax I, La belle Hélène, 2003
Wilbur Pauley
Baritone
Ajax II
Wilbur Pauley
Hometown: Beaver, PA
SFO Debut:
Speaker, The Magic Flute, 1993
Santa Fe Opera Apprentice: 1981, 1984
Past Seasons:
Pistola, Falstaff, 2008
Alcindoro, La bohème, 2007
Jupiter, Platée, 2007
Stefano, The Tempest, 2006
Hobson, Peter Grimes, 2005
Ajax II, Le belle Hélène, 2003
The Lawyer, Intermezzo, 2003
Pistola, Falstaff, 2001
Truffaldino, Ariadne auf Naxos, 1999
K.S. Liebenberg, Countess Maritza, 1999
First Player, The Protagonist, 1993
Equerry, The Tsar Has His Photograph Taken, 1993
NCO/Grey-haired Minister, We Come to the River, 1984
Second Priest, The Magic Flute, 1984 (August 4 – 23)
Alcindoro, La bohème, 1981
Captain of the Guard, The Barber of Seville, 1981
Fourth Shepherd, Daphne, 1981
Marriage License Clerk, News of the Day, 1981
Dimitri Pittas
Tenor
Achille
Dimitri Pittas
Hometown: New York, NY
SFO Debut:
First Armed Man, The Magic Flute, 2006
Santa Fe Opera Apprentice: 2002, 2003
Past Seasons:
Alfred, Die Fledermaus, 2017
Faust, Faust, 2011 (August 8 – 27)
Nemorino, The Elixir of Love, 2009
Rodolfo, La bohème, 2007 (July 20 -August 25)
Narraboth, Salome, 2006
Anniversary Arias Gala Concert, 2006
Achille, La belle Hélène, 2003
Sarah Elizabeth Wilson
Soprano
Bacchis
Sarah Elizabeth Wilson
Hometown: Washington, D.C.
Santa Fe Opera Apprentice: 2003
Past Seasons:
Bacchis, La belle Hélène, 2003
Kenneth Montgomery
Conductor
Kenneth Montgomery
Hometown: Belfast, United Kingdom
SFO Debut:
Mignon, 1982
Past Seasons:
The Impresario & Le Rossignol, 2014
Susan Graham and Friends Gala Concert, 2012
Alceste, 2009
The Marriage of Figaro, 2008
Daphne, 2007
Cendrillon, 2006
Anniversary Arias Gala Concert, 2006
The Barber of Seville, 2005
Beatrice and Benedict, 2004
La belle Hélène, 2003
Intermezzo, 2003
La clemenza di Tito, 2002
Mitridate, 2001
The Marriage of Figaro, 2000
Idomoneo, 1999
Così fan tutte, 1997
The Rake’s Progress, 1996
Abduction from the Seraglio, 1994
Xerxes, 1993
L’incoronazione di Poppea, 1986
Il matrimonio segreto, 1984
Laurent Pelly
Director & Costume Designer
Laurent Pelly
Hometown: Fontenay-sous-Bois, France
SFO Debut:
La belle Hélène, 2003
Past Seasons:
The Marriage of Figaro, 2021
Candide, 2018
Don Pasquale, 2014
La traviata, 2013
La traviata, 2009
Platée, 2007
Cendrillon, 2006
Chantal Thomas
Scenic Designer
Chantal Thomas
Hometown: Paris, France
SFO Debut:
La belle Hélène, 2003
Pasts Seasons:
The Marriage of Figaro, 2021
Candide, 2018
Don Pasquale, 2014
La traviata, 2013
La traviata, 2009
Platée, 2007
Duane Schuler
Lighting Designer
Duane Schuler
Hometown: Elkhart Lake, WI
SFO Debut:
Madame Butterfly, 1996
Past Seasons:
The Flying Dutchman, 2023
Carmen, 2022
The Marriage of Figaro, 2021
Jenůfa, 2019
Candide, 2018
The Italian Girl in Algiers, 2018
Die Fledermaus, 2017
Don Pasquale, 2014
Fidelio, 2014
The Marriage of Figaro, 2013
La donna del Lago, 2013
La traviata, 2013
Tosca, 2012
Maometto II, 2012
King Roger, 2012
La traviata, 2009
The Letter, 2009
Alceste, 2009
Falstaff, 2008
The Marriage of Figaro, 2008
Così fan tutte, 2007
Platée, 2007
Carmen, 2006
Cinderella, 2006
Salome, 2006
The Tempest, 2006
Turandot, 2005
The Barber of Seville, 2005
Lucio Silla, 2005
Don Giovanni, 2004
Simon Boccanegra, 2004
Don Giovanni, 2004
La belle Hélène, 2003
Così fan tutte, 2003
Kátya Kabanová, 2003
Eugene Onegin, 2002
The Italian Girl in Algiers, 2002
Lucia di Lammermoor, 2001
Falstaff, 2001
Rigoletto, 2000
The Marriage of Figaro, 2000
Ermione, 2000
Countess Maritza, 1999
Carmen, 1999
Idomeneo, 1999
Madame Butterfly, 1998
The Magic Flute, 1998
La traviata, 1997
Semele, 1997
Laura Scozzi
Choreographer
Laura Scozzi
Hometown: Milan, Italy
SFO Debut:
La belle Hélène, 2003
Past Seasons:
Platée, 2007
Cendrillon, 2006
Agathe Mélinand
English Dialogue & Dramaturg
Agathe Mélinand
Hometown: Paris, France
SFO Debut:
La belle Hélène, 2003
Robert Wood
Chorus Master
Robert Wood
Hometown: Shaker Heights, OH
SFO Debut:
Simon Boccanegra, 2004
Past Seasons:
Don Giovanni, 2004
Beatrice and Benedict, 2004
La sonnambula, 2004
La belle Hélène 2003
- Tours
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