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Opera Extravaganza: The Santa Fe Opera Festival Season

Program Number: 11299RJ
Start and End Dates:
7/29/2013 - 8/4/2013; 8/4/2013 - 8/10/2013; 8/12/2013 - 8/18/2013; 8/19/2013 - 8/25/2013;
Duration: 6 nights
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Price starting at: $1,336.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Opera; Music Festivals Activity Level: t (see description)
Meals: 16; 6 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 5 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian    

Run the full gamut of the opera world and attend several productions, the exciting culmination of music, theatre, writing, art and dance. Program lectures will inform you about the composer, music, singers and the story of each work you experience.




Highlights

• Attend an array of staged productions starring some of the finest singers from the U.S. and abroad in the spectacular open-air amphitheater.
• Enjoy a Santa Fe city field trip and go backstage at the opera complex.
• Expert-led field trips include the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, two New Mexico State Museums, and Los Alamos.



Activity Particulars

Walking up to one mile per day; paved and uneven packed dirt terrain. Elevations of 7,000 feet.



For information on categories and accompanying theater seating, call or go to www.roadscholar.org/11299.




Date Specific Information

7-29-2013

Program includes five operas: Offenbach’s “La Grande Duchesse de Gerolstein,” Morrison’s “Oscar” (world premiere), Rossini’s “La Donna del Lago,” Verdi’s “La Traviata,” Mozart’s “Marriage of Figaro.”



8-4-2013

Program includes five operas: Verdi’s “La Traviata,” Rossini’s “La Donna del Lago,” Offenbach’s “La Grande Duchesse de Gerolstein,” Mozart’s “Marriage of Figaro,” Morrison’s “Oscar” (world premiere).



8-12-2013

Program includes five operas: Mozart’s “Marriage of Figaro,” Rossini’s “La Donna del Lago,” Offenbach’s “La Grande Duchesse de Gerolstein,” Verdi’s “La Traviata,” Morrison’s “Oscar” (world premiere).



8-19-2013

Program includes only three operas and is priced accordingly. Mozart’s “Marriage of Figaro,” Verdi’s “La Traviata,” Offenbach’s “La Grande Duchesse de Gerolstein.”



Coordinated by Road Scholar.




Santa Fe

A cosmopolitan city famous for its world-renowned opera, chamber and choral music and for its art and artists, Santa Fe is situated at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Nearby, eight historic, continuously occupied pueblos and small Hispanic villages divulge a heritage that is impeccably preserved in this multi-cultural state capital.
Accommodations
Comfortable hotel with heated pool.

Road Scholar Instructors
These instructors are participating on at least one date of this program. Please note that changes may occur.
Ronald Roybal
Ronald Roybal is a professional musician who performs in the New Mexico area. A descendant of Spanish Colonial and Pueblo (Tewa) peoples, he has been nominated for four Native American Music Awards for his flute and Spanish guitar recordings. Ronald has been featured twice on NPR’s “Performance Today” program and has performed live at concert venues such as the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival and the Colorado Music Festival. He holds bachelor’s degrees in anthropology and psychology.
 
Oliver Prezant
Oliver Prezant has presented lectures for the Santa Fe Opera, the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, and numerous other organizations. He is the Music Director and Conductor of the award-winning Santa Fe Community Orchestra, and was on the faculty of The College of Santa Fe for many years. He studied conducting at The Pierre Monteux School and is a graduate of The Mannes College of Music in New York City.
 
Meals and Lodgings
   DoubleTree by Hilton Santa Fe
  Santa Fe 6 nights
 DoubleTree by Hilton Santa Fe
Type: Full Service Hotel
  Description: The hotel has recently been completely remodeled, and offers cheerful Southwestern decor throughout. Of particular interest to our participants is the easy access to transportation to other parts of the city. There is a public bus stop right in front of the hotel, and buses run frequently to the downtown area, to the museums, and other parts of Santa Fe. There is convenient shopping nearby as well, with drug and grocery stores within a few minutes' walk. Several shopping centers surround the hotel, so bookstores, clothing stores, restaurants, hobby and craft stores and many others are nearby.
  Contact info: 4048 Cerrillos Road
Santa Fe, NM 87507 USA
phone: 505-473-4646
  Room amenities: Newly redecorated rooms feature Southwestern decor. You'll also find hair dryers, irons and ironing boards, dataports, refrigerators upon request, cable television, and many other amenities.
  Facility amenities: Restaurant, lounge, indoor/outdoor pool, exercise room and gift shop, as well as ample free parking and very easy access from I-25.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: best seasonal rates Arrange for pre and post stays directly with hotel at (505) 473-4646.
  Check in time: 3:00 PM
  Additional nights after: best seasonal rates Arrange for pre and post stays directly with hotel at (505) 473-4646.
  Check out time: 12:00 PM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
Check in at hotel any time after 3:00 pm. 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM in the hotel lobby for registration. You will be staying at DoubleTree by Hilton Santa Fe that night.
  End of Program:
Program ends after buffet breakfast in hotel dining room between 6:00 & 10:00 AM; checkout by noon. You will be staying at DoubleTree by Hilton Santa Fe the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. No special documents or waivers required.
  Parking availability:
Parking is free at the hotel. Participants have access to their vehicles throughout the program.
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Santa Fe
  Nearest city or town:  Albuquerque
  Nearest highway: I-25
  Nearest airport:  Albuquerque International Sunport and Santa Fe Airport (very small; commuter service from Denver only)
  From End of Program
  Location: Santa Fe
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

Albuquerque

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Sandia Shuttle Express
phone: 888-775-5696
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$27
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

70 minutes 
   

Let shuttle service know, when you make reservations, at which hotel you'll need to be dropped off in Santa Fe and when you'll be returning to Albuquerque. This shuttle also picks up and delivers to the Albuquerque AMTRAK STATION. Reservations for the shuttles must be made at least 24 hours in advance of your travel date, or your place will not be guaranteed on the shuttle.
 
Driving Directions
  Albuquerque International Sunport Exit the airport west onto Sunport Boulevard, which will take you to Interstate 25. Go north on I-25 to Santa Fe exit 278, Cerrillos Road (approximately 55-60 miles). Travel about 2.5 miles into Santa Fe; DoubleTree by Hilton Santa Fe is at the intersection of Airport/Rodeo Road and Cerrillos Road and will be on your RIGHT. There is a stoplight at that intersection; the DoubleTree by Hilton Santa Fe is about a block further.
  Interstate 25 From the north or south, take I-25 to Santa Fe exit 278, Cerrillos Road. Travel about 2.5 miles into Santa Fe; the DoubleTree by Hilton Santa Fe is at the intersection of Airport/Rodeo Road and Cerrillos Road and will be on your RIGHT. There is a stoplight at that intersection; the DoubleTree by Hilton Santa Fe is about a block further.
Elevation Note: Santa Fe is at an elevation of 7,000'.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Hotel Check-In, Orientation and Introductions
(Monday, July 29)
   
 Arrive To: Arrive in Santa Fe; check in anytime after 3:00 PM at the DoubleTree by Hilton. Register with the program group leader in designated area between 4:00 and 5:30 PM.
 Dinner: Dinner in hotel dining room from 6:00 to 7:00 PM
 Evening: Program orientation and introductions in hotel meeting room from 7:00 to 8:30 PM
   
Accommodations: DoubleTree by Hilton Santa Fe
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Walking and Driving Exploration of Santa Fe; Georgia O'Keeffe Museum; Evening Opera will be Offenbach's "The Grand Duchess of Gerolstein"
(Tuesday, July 30)

Note: Walking up to one mile over course of the day over uneven paved and packed dirt terrain; climbing a few steps, standing at museum for up to an hour
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast in hotel dining room from 7:00 to 8:30 AM
 Morning: CLASS: Opera, Opera, and More Opera. Runs from 9:00 AM to 11:45 AM and includes one break from 10:15 to 10:30 AM.
 Lunch: Lunch in the hotel's dining room from 12:00 to 1:00 PM
 Afternoon: At 1:15 PM, leave for a guided walking and driving exploration of Santa Fe, "The City Different." Stops include the historic downtown Plaza and the New Mexico State Capitol building, that has a wonderful and historic art collection, followed by the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum.

Bus returns to the hotel at 4:30 PM.

 Dinner: Dinner in the hotel dining room from 5:30 to 6:30 PM
 Evening: Bus departs hotel at 6:45 PM for the Santa Fe Opera production of Jacques Offenbach's "The Grand Duchess of Gerolstein," featuring mezzo-soprano Susan Graham in the title role. Spoiled and domineering, the Grand Duchess gets what she wants-- until she sets her sights on the young soldier Fritz (Paul Appleby). Her amorous pursuit mobilizes everything we need for a howling good time: wealth, wine, and wicked satire.

Return to hotel late!
   
Accommodations: DoubleTree by Hilton Santa Fe
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Backstage Visit to Santa Fe Opera; Performance of Theodore Morrison's "Oscar"
(Wednesday, July 31)

Note: Walking up to one mile over the course of the day over paved terrain. Backstage visit involves walking uphill and several flights of stairs. Optional modified tour available with advance request
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast in hotel dining room from 8:00 to 9:00 AM
 Morning: CLASS: Opera, Opera, and More Opera. Runs from 9:00 to 11:45 AM and includes one break from 10:15 to 10:30 AM.
 Lunch: Lunch in the hotel dining room at 12:00 PM
 Afternoon: Board the motor coach in front of hotel at 1:00 PM for a back stage visit at the Santa Fe Opera.

This visit involves some walking uphill and several flights of stairs. Optional modified tour available with advance request to Road Scholar Santa Fe (505) 983-0613. Bus will return to hotel around 3:30 PM for a rest period.

 Dinner: Dinner in the hotel dining room from 5:30 to 6:30 PM
 Evening: Bus departs hotel at 6:45 pm for performance of Theodore Morrison's "Oscar." "Oscar" is Theo Morrison's vividly observed opera about Oscar Wilde-- whose legendary wit concealed a life of high principle and agonizing persecution. Pursuing the beautiful in life and art, Wilde became a social pariah in London society even as his plays won unprecedented success in London theatre. His portrayal by contertenor David Daniels promises to be one of the most moving characterizations of recent years on any stage. Dwayne Croft and Heidi Stober as Walt Whitman and Ada Leverson, with William Burden as his friend and eventual biographer, Frank Harris. Evan Rogister returns to conduct this world premiere.

Bus returns to the hotel late!

   
Accommodations: DoubleTree by Hilton Santa Fe
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: State Museums of New Mexico on Museum Hill; Rossini's "La Donna del Lago"
(Thursday, August 1)

Note: Walking up to one mile over paved terrain; standing up to one hour at a time in museums
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast in hotel dining room from 8:00 to 9:00 AM
 Morning: CLASS: Opera, Opera, and More Opera. Runs from 9:00 to 11:45 AM and includes one break from 10:15 to 10:30 AM.
 Lunch: Lunch in the hotel dining room from 12:00 to 1:00 PM
 Afternoon: Bus departs at 1:30 PM for field trip.

You'll visit the museums on Museum Hill: the Museum of International Folk Art and the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture.

Bus departs at 4:00 PM for return to the hotel.

 Dinner: Dinner at the hotel from 5:30-6:30 PM
 Evening: Bus departs from the hotel at 6:45 PM for Santa Fe Opera's presentation of Rossini's "La Donna del Lago." This dramatic tale remains Sir Walter Scott's best-plotted love story and Rossini's most romantic opera. The incomparable Joyce DiDonato sings the title rols, Elena. Acclaimed at the Paris Opera and La Scala, DiDonato has become today's foremost interpreter of this spectacular rold. The cast also features two stellar coloratura tenors, Lawrence Brownlee and Rene Barbera, in the high-flying roles of Uberto and Rodrigo. Daniela Barcellona sings the role of Malcolm. Stephen Lord returns to lead this Santa Fe debut.

Return to the hotel late!

   
Accommodations: DoubleTree by Hilton Santa Fe
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Free Afternoon; Dinner on Your Own; Santa Fe Opera's Production of Verdi's "La Traviata"
(Friday, August 2)

Note: Walking up to one mile over paved terrain
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast in hotel dining room from 8:00 to 9:00 AM
 Morning: CLASS: Opera, Opera, and More Opera. Runs from 9:00 to 11:45 AM and includes one break from 10:15 to 10:30 AM.
 Lunch: Walk two blocks to the Blue Corn Cafe near the DoubleTree for lunch from 12:30-1:30 PM
 Afternoon: Free afternoon on your own in Santa Fe. Since dinner is also on your own tonight, you may wish to come back to the hotel and have dinner at a nearby restaurant, or you can have dinner downtown. If you elect to have dinner downtown, the bus will pick you up at a designated location at 7:00 PM for the trip to the Santa Fe Opera.
 Dinner: Dinner on your own. If you come back to the hotel in the afternoon, the bus will leave at 6:45 PM to go to the Opera. If you are downtown, the bus will pick you up at a designated downtown location at 7:00 PM. We'll provide restaurant lists so you can decide where you want to eat.
 Evening: Bus departs from the hotel at 6:45 PM to take you to Santa Fe Opera for a performance of Verdi's "La Traviata." Honoring the bicentennial of Verdi's birth, the Santa Fe Opera revives one of his most popular operas. Glamour and gaiety are on full display in director-designer Laurent Pelly's vision of the Parisian demimonde, but so is a much darker side. While elegant gowns and jewels create a glittering tableau, the partygoers of "La Traviata" inhabit a cynical world of power relations. Making her Santa Fe Opera debut as Violetta is American soprano Brenda Rae, who has generated excitement in starring roles in Europe. Tenor Michael Fabiano is Alfredo, Violetta's lover.

Bus returns to the hotel late!
   
Accommodations: DoubleTree by Hilton Santa Fe
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6: Field Trip to Los Alamos; Performance of Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro"
(Saturday, August 3)

Note: Walking up to one mile over course of the day; standing up to one hour during museum visit
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast in hotel dining room from 8:00 to 9:00 AM
 Morning: CLASS: Opera, Opera, and More Opera. Runs from 9:00 to 11:45 AM and includes one break from 10:15 to 10:30 AM.

Bus departs for field trip to Los Alamos at 12:00 PM.

 Lunch: Boxed lunches to be eaten on the field trip
 Afternoon: Upon arrival, you'll have an exploration of Los Alamos with a step-on guide and selected stops, including the Bradbury Science Museum. Return to the hotel in Santa Fe by 4:30 PM.
 Dinner: Dinner in the hotel dining room from 5:30 to 6:30 PM and closing comments
 Evening: Bus departs hotel at 6:45 PM for the Santa Fe Opera's performance of Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro." Based on a daring play by Beaumarchais, a French supporter of the American Revolution whose modern ideas challenged traditional thinking on class and privilege, its bold assertion of human dignity is present throughout Lorenzo da Ponte's libretto and Mozart's score. It takes the form of a dizzying sex farce that culminates in a profound expression of redemptive love. The cast includes the return of rising star Susanna Phillips as the Countess Almaviva and Daniel Okulitch as her wayward husband. John Nelson conducts.

Return to the hotel late!

   
Accommodations: DoubleTree by Hilton Santa Fe
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Breakfast and Departure
(Sunday, August 4)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast is served buffet style in hotel dining room from 6:00 AM until 10:00 AM; you may depart at any time in the morning. Check-out time from the hotel is 12:00 PM.
 Morning: Independent departures from the hotel. Checkout time is by 12:00 noon.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast

Free Time Opportunities
  
  Santa Fe General Overview
Museums and galleries, e.g., Palace of the Governors Museum, Museum of Fine Arts, Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, Museum of International Folk Art, Museum of Indian Art and Culture, Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian, Spanish Colonial Museum, Laboratory of Anthropology, Rancho de los Golondrinas (recreation of a Spanish Colonial village), Gerald Peters Gallery, Nedra Matteucchi (Fenn) Gallery, Alan Houser Sculpture Garden, Houshang's Gallery, Alene Lapides Gallery, Laurel Seth Gallery and many more.

Historic buildings and churches include Sena Plaza, El Santuario de Guadalupe, the Oldest House, San Miguel Mission, St. Francis Cathedral, the Chapel of Loretto (with its miraculous staircase!) and Cristo Rey Church.

During late June, July and August, the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, the Santa Fe Desert Chorale and Santa Fe Opera are in full swing and there are many theatre productions and concerts going on in the city year round.

The Santa Fe Visitors' Guide provides seasonal listings of events, as does New Mexico Magazine. A link to Santa Fe's calendar of events, web sites and telephone numbers is listed below. For additional information, visit www.santafe.org

Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Suggested Reading List


109 East Palace Avenue: Robert Oppenheimer and the Secret City of Los Alamos


Author: Conant, Jennet


A History of Opera


Author: Abbate, Carolyn and Parker, Roger


Contemporary Southwestern Jewelry


Author: Pardue, Diana


Cooking With the Santa Fe Opera


Author: Santa Fe Opera Guild


Georgia O'Keeffe and New Mexico: A Sense of Place


Author: Buhler Lynes/Poling-Kempes/Turner


Georgia O'Keeffe: A Life


Author: Robinson, Roxana


Kobbe's Portable Opera Guide


Author: Earl of Harewood, editor


Portrait of an Artist: A Biography of Georgia O'Keeffe


Author: Lisle, Laurie


Rossini


Author: Gara Servadio


Rossini


Author: Richard Osborne


The Making of the Atomic Bomb


Author: Rhoads, Richard


The House at Otowi Bridge


Author: Church, Peggy Pond


The Santa Fe Opera: An American Pioneer


Author: Huscher, Phillip


The Santa Fe School of Cooking Cookbook


Author: Susan D. Curtis


Description: Contains some of the very best recipes from Santa Fe School of Cooking and features glorious photography.



Verdi With a Vengeance: An Energetic Guide to the Life and Complete Works of the King of Opera


Author: Berger, William




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