Opera InSight offers an illuminating look at each season’s productions, with special focus on directors’ choices and musical interpretation. By highlighting the psychological themes of the narrative and focusing on this season’s productions, we reveal how opera makes a compelling mirror of the human condition — its foibles and triumphs, loves and vendettas, dilemmas and humor. Jamie and Olga perform Selected excerpts from the operas.

For the first time, Opera InSight includes live performances. This season includes Puccini’s Madama Butterfly and Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin, two timeless tragedies of love found and lost; Mozart’s The Magic Flute, with its lush music and trials of the heart; Handel’s 1725 Rodelinda, a melodrama of passion and intrigue that rivals modern film noir; and the American premiere of Tobias Picker’s Lili Elbe, a moving portrayal of a transgender protagonist’s transition.

Whether you are new to opera or a longtime patron seeking fresh insight, Opera InSight provides an engaging welcome and a deeper appreciation of these works. Which operas will inspire you this season? Opera InSight can help launch your journey.

WHEN: Friday June 26, 2026
WHERE: University of New Mexico, Hodgin Hall, in the Bobo room
1889 Central Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106
PRESENTERS: Don Fineberg, Olga Perez Flora, Jamie Flora

FORMAT:
Morning Panel Discussion from 9 am – 12 pm. All 5 operas considered individually emphasizing the Santa Fe Opera’s current productions.
Afternoon Seminar from 1:45 – 4:45 pm. Detailed and fun small group investigation of the themes introduced in the morning session.
Program punctuated by live performances.

PRESENTERS:
Don Fineberg is a psychiatrist. His presentations focus on a variety of topics related to clinical practice, education, and the arts, especially opera. For years he has given pre-performance talks for the Santa Fe Opera. He has led Opera and Psychology seminars for more than 20 years. For the last 5 festival seasons, his Opera InSight video series appears on the Santa Fe Opera website.  In 2026, Opera InSight returns to a live format, including live performances, to enhance your anticipation of your opera experience by taking an even deeper dive into opera’s musical and psychological themes.

Olga Perez Flora, Cuban-American mezzo-soprano, earns praise for both for her “smoky toned” voice, as celebrated by Opera News, as well as her role as a dedicated music educator. She currently serves as Associate Professor of Voice and Head of the Voice Area at the University of New Mexico. With expertise and passion, she nurtures the next generation of vocal artists. Renowned for her compelling portrayal of Carmen, Dr. Flora brings depth, passion, and charisma to every stage she graces. She has appeared with opera companies and symphonies both nationally and internationally, including her 2026 Carnegie Hall debut as the mezzo-soprano soloist in Mozart’s Coronation Mass. Along with tenor James Flora, Dr. Flora recently released a debut album, Canciones de mi Corazón, a celebration of Cuban classical repertoire.

James Flora, celebrated American tenor and voice educator, has been hailed for his “resonant, impeccably trained voice and fearless singing.”  His acclaimed repertoire ranges from Verdi and Wagner to works by Carlisle Floyd and beyond. James serves as Assistant Professor of Voice at the University of New Mexico. Many of his students sing in young artist programs like Houston Grand Opera Studio and Santa Fe Opera Apprentice program. James has sung with the Metropolitan Opera Chorus under Maestro Donald Palumbo in recent productions of Die Meistersinger von Nürenberg and Fidelio. He will sing the role of Dick Johnson in Livermore Valley Opera’s 35th Anniversary production of La Fanciulla del West.

COSTS:
Symposium $125 per person (includes 8:30 am morning coffee bar and both sessions)
Morning panel discussion only $65 per person (student tickets $25 per person)
Early registration fee $110 (ends May 15)

For more information, contact Koppany Pusztai at kpusztai@santafeopera.org

Principal Education Sponsor

Thanks to our hosts