The Santa Fe Opera Announces the Return of Opera in the Park

The Santa Fe Opera Announces the Return of Opera in the Park: Bring a Picnic and Enjoy a Free Screening of Rusalka on September 10

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Santa Fe, NM — The Santa Fe Opera is pleased to announce the return of Opera in the Park. A free and public screening of Antonín Dvořák’s Rusalka will take place at the Santa Fe Railyard Park on Sunday, September 10 at 4:30 pm. This event is part of the opera’s 66th Festival Season celebrations and ongoing commitment to bringing the joy of opera to the communities of New Mexico.

Opera in the Park — In Santa Fe, a free screening of Dvořák’s Rusalka will take place at the Railyard Park in Santa Fe. Lawn seating opens at 4 pm MDT and the screening begins at 4:30 pm. There will be no intermission. The Santa Fe Opera invites opera fans and newcomers to bring a picnic and enjoy the performance. The screening will be presented on two LED walls (17′ x 10′ 3.9mm resolution video trailer system) while sound will be broadcast via outdoor speakers.

The Santa Fe Opera wishes to acknowledge Opera in the Park sponsors Exxon Mobil Corporation, Santa Fe Railyard Community Corporation, City of Santa Fe and the Hankins Foundation. The performance recordings are directed by Jesse Fisher and assistant directed by Nathan Troup, with sound engineering by Kabby Sound Studios. Artist appearances are made possible through the American Guild of Musical Artists, AFL-CIO and the American Federation of Musicians. The screening of Rusalka is made possible by arrangement with Boosey & Hawkes, Inc., agent for DILIA – Theatrical, Literary andAudiovisual Agency, Association of Authors. More information about the event can be found online at https://www.santafeopera.org/whats-on/opera-in-the-park-2023/.

For Calendar Keepers

When: Sunday, September 10
Where: Railyard Park, 740 Cerrillos Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87505
Seating Opens: 4 PM
Performance Begins: 4:30 PM
Run Time: Approximately 2 hours 32 minutes (no intermission)

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a ticket?
No registration or ticket is required! The Opera in the Park event is free to everyone. We encourage anyone who is feeling unwell not to attend a performance.

Advisory
This production contains depictions of violence.

Are the screenings suitable for children?
The opera is suitable for families; however, we urge caution in bringing young children. For more information or to discuss the suitability of these productions for members of your family, please contact Anna Garcia at agarcia@santafeopera.org.

How early can I arrive?
Seating opens on the lawn at 4 PM and is first-come, first-served.

Weather
Opera in the Park will proceed rain or shine. However, under adverse weather conditions such as (but not limited to): lightning, high wind, or torrential rain or hail, we may cancel the event, if necessary. Check the Santa Fe Opera’s social media channels for updates.

Bathrooms
Facilities are available on-site.

Sight & Sound
Two LED walls (17′ x 10′ 3.9mm resolution video trailer system) will provide attendees with a state-of-the-art viewing experience, while sound will be broadcast via outdoor speakers.

Subtitles
English and Spanish subtitle translations will be provided.

Parking
FREE parking is available on-site.

Directions
The Railyard Park Santa Fe is located at 740 Cerrillos Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87505, on the corner of Cerrillos Road and Paseo de Peralta.

What Should I Bring?
Guests are encouraged to bring their own portable seats, blankets and lawn chairs.

Food & Beverage
We encourage guests to bring a picnic and non-alcoholic beverages.
If you plan to bring your own picnic, please plan accordingly:
• Bring water for yourself and your pet
• Bring a blanket or cloth camping chair
• No glass containers of any kind
• No alcohol is permitted at the event
• Plastic utensils only – metal forks and knives are not allowed on site
• Coolers are permitted
• No large umbrellas; small folding umbrellas only
• No tables or tents
• No open flames

Pets
Pets are allowed but must be on a leash and under control at all times.

Contact Information
For questions about the venue or event, please contact Anna Garcia at agarcia@santafeopera.org.

About Rusalka  — Sir David Pountney’s electrifying new production of Rusalka meets Dvořák’s turn-of-the-century masterpiece at the potent intersection of timeless fairy tale and timely psychological drama. Scenic Designer Leslie Travers and Lighting Designer Malcolm Rippeth return to Santa Fe while Costume Designer Marie-Jeanne Lecca makes her company debut alongside Costume Realizer Zeb Lalljee. Nicola Bowie is the Choreographer. Susanne Sheston is the Chorus Master and Rick Sordelet, Christian Kelly-Sordelet and Shireen Yehya serve as Fight and Intimacy Directors.

Dvořák began writing Rusalka late in his career when he had turned his attention almost exclusively to mythical themes. With echoes of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid, the opera weaves the tale of a water nymph who pays the ultimate price for the chance to love a human being. Responding with sharply contrasting vocal styles and sound worlds for the opera’s mortal and supernatural characters, Dvořák vividly portrays the impossibility of merging the two worlds and the despair of the individual caught between them.

The title character’s well-known “Song to the Moon” provides a mere taste of Rusalka’s vast musical riches. This opulent score has often been called Dvořák’s most Wagnerian work, not only for its equal treatment of orchestra and voices and for its subtle use of leitmotifs, but also for its shimmering, nearly impressionistic instrumentation, evoking the lapping of waves on water, nocturnal forest sounds and even the reflection of moonlight on the lake.

Led by conductor Lidiya Yankovskaya in her company debut, the company welcomes the return of soprano Ailyn Pérez, who makes a notable role debut as Rusalka. Three other cast members make their company debuts: tenor Robert Watson sings the role of the Prince, mezzo-soprano Raehann Bryce-Davis is Ježibaba and soprano Mary Elizabeth Williams is the Foreign Princess. Bass James Creswell sings Vodník, and numerous Apprentice artists make company debuts: Ilanah Lobel-Torres (First Wood Sprite); Lydia Grindatto (Second Wood Sprite); Meridian Prall (Third Wood Sprite); Jordan Loyd (Gamekeeper); Spencer Reichman (Hunter); and the role of the Kitchen Girl is shared by Kaylee Nichols (through August 8) and Tessa Fackelmann (August 17, 22).

Rusalka

Music by Antonín Dvořák
Libretto by Jaroslav Kvapil
Premiered on 31 March 1901, Prague
A Company Premiere and New Santa Fe Opera Production
6 Performances — July 22, 26; August 4, 8, 17 & 22
Sung in Czech with opera titles in English and Spanish
Run time: Approximately 2 hours 57 minutes; includes a 25-minute intermission

Please be advised: This production may contain depictions of violence.

Production support generously provided by
The John Crosby Production Fund
Robert & Ellen Vladem

Additional artistic support provided by
National Endowment for the Arts

The performances of Lidiya Yankovskaya are supported by
The Marineau Family Foundation

The performances of Ailyn Pérez are supported by
Martha Allday in memory of Dr. Robert L. Allday

The performances of Raehann Bryce-Davis are supported by
The MacKay Fund for Debut Artists

Original production support generously provided by
The Avenir Foundation, Inc.
Robert & Ellen Vladem

Creative Team
Conductor Lidiya Yankovskaya*
Stage Director Sir David Pountney*
Scenic Designer Leslie Travers
Costume Designer Marie-Jeanne Lecca*
Costume Realizer Zeb Lalljee*
Lighting Designer Malcolm Rippeth
Chorus Master Susanne Sheston
Choreographer Nicola Bowie
Fight & Intimacy Directors Rick Sordelet, Christian Kelly-Sordelet, Shireen Yehya

Cast
Rusalka Ailyn Pérez
The Prince Robert Watson*
Vodník James Creswell
Ježibaba Raehann Bryce-Davis*
The Foreign Princess Mary Elizabeth Williams*
First Wood Sprite Ilanah Lobel-Torres*=
Second Wood Sprite Lydia Grindatto*=
Third Wood Sprite Meridian Prall*=
Gamekeeper Jordan Loyd*=
Kitchen Girl Kaylee Nichols*= (through August 8)
Kitchen Girl Tessa Fackelmann*= (August 17 & 22)
Hunter Spencer Reichman*=

The Santa Fe Opera Orchestra & Chorus

*Santa Fe Opera Debut, = Current Santa Fe Opera Apprentice, +Former Santa Fe Opera Apprentice

The 2023 Season — Scheduled in the Santa Fe Opera’s 66th Festival Season are 38 performances including two evenings of Apprentice Scenes. The company holds to its mission and time-tested programming model: a balanced and varied repertory of new, lesser-performed and standard works. Having recently opened on June 30 and July 1 are two standard works, Tosca and The Flying Dutchman, followed by two lesser-performed works, Pelléas et Mélisande and Rusalka, on July 15 and July 22. Rounding out the season and presented for the first time on July 29 was Monteverdi’s seminal Orfeo with a world premiere orchestration by American composer Nico Muhly. Tickets are on sale now at santafeopera.org.

About The Santa Fe Opera —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 179 operas by 91 composers spanning five centuries of opera, creating a legacy of 45 American premieres and 18 world premieres. In November 2022, the company was recognized as “Festival of the Year” at the International Opera Awards.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility at the Santa Fe Opera — Opera has the power to speak truth, broaden perspectives and invite empathy. The Santa Fe Opera is committed to the continuous work of becoming an antiracist and anti-oppressive organization and incorporating the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility. Our goal is to create a joyful and engaging environment in which a diverse community of artists, staff, volunteers and audiences alike belong.

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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