The Santa Fe Opera Announces Rachel Willis-Sørensen will perform the role of Donna Anna in DON GIOVANNI from July 29

Emily Doyle Moore | media@santafeopera.org | 505-986-5908

International soprano and former Apprentice Singer Rachel Willis-Sørensen will perform the role of Donna Anna in Don Giovanni from July 29

Santa Fe, NM — The Santa Fe Opera announces international soprano and former Santa Fe Opera Apprentice singer Rachel Willis-Sørensen will perform the role of Donna Anna in Don Giovanni with six performances between July 29 and August 23. Recently, Apprentice singer Rachel Fitzgerald made her Santa Fe Opera debut in the role, with performances on June 29, July 5 and July 10.

Don Giovanni

Opening June 29 is Mozart’s masterpiece Don Giovanni in a fresh interpretation by Stephen Barlow who returns to Santa Fe on the heels of his extremely popular production of Rossini’s The Barber of Seville in 2022. The production draws parallels between the notorious seducer, “D.G.,” and the eponymous character in Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray who pursues pleasure and eternal youth. The Victorian London-era setting is created by scenic and costume designer Yannis Thavoris and lighting designer Christopher Akerlind; they are joined by choreographer Mitchell Harper. The chorus master is Susanne Sheston. Sordelet, Inc. oversees fight and intimacy direction.

Santa Fe Opera Music Director Harry Bicket returns to the podium to conduct an all-star cast headlined by bass-baritone Ryan Speedo Green in his first turn in the title role. Current Santa Fe Opera Apprentice singer Rachel Fitzgerald sings Donna Anna (June 29, July 5 and 10) and former Santa Fe Opera Apprentice singer Rachel Willis-Sørensen sings Donna Anna (July 29 through August 23). Mezzo-soprano Rachael Wilson makes her American house debut as Donna Elvira and tenor David Portillo returns to the Santa Fe Opera stage in the role of Don Ottavio. Two former Apprentice singers, bass-baritone Nicholas Newton and soprano Liv Redpath, appear as Leporello and Zerlina. Bass William Guanbo Su makes his company debut as Masetto and bass Soloman Howard is the Commendatore.

Nine performances are scheduled: June 29; July 5, 10, 29; August 3, 6, 16, 21 and 23.

Don Giovanni

Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte
Premiered October 29, 1787, Estates Theatre, Prague, Czech Republic

A New Santa Fe Opera Production
9 performances — June 29; July 5, 10, 29; August 3, 6, 16, 21 & 23
Sung in Italian with opera titles in English and Spanish
Approximate run time: 3 hours and 25 minutes including a 25-minute intermission

Please be advised that this production contains the use of strobe lights as well as
depictions of violence including sexual assault and simulated gunfire.

The 2024 Season is Dedicated to the Memory of
Richard Gaddes, Former General Director of the Santa Fe Opera

Production support provided by
The Tobin Endowment
The Robert & Ellen Vladem Perpetual Fund for Opera Production

Additional artistic support by
E.H. Corrigan Foundation Fund

The performances of Harry Bicket are supported by
Joseph M. Bryan, Jr.

The performances of Ryan Speedo Green are supported by
Sarah Billinghurst Solomon

The performances of Nicholas Newton are supported by
Guy L. and Catherine D. Gronquist

The performances of Rachel Willis-Sørensen are supported by
The Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation & Kay and Anthony Marks

Creative Team

Conductor Harry Bicket
Director Stephen Barlow
Scenic and Costume Design Yannis Thavoris
Lighting Design Christopher Akerlind
Chorus Master Susanne Sheston
Choreographer Mitchell Harper
Fight & Intimacy Directors Sordelet, Inc.

Cast

Don Giovanni Ryan Speedo Green
Donna Anna Rachel Fitzgerald*= (June 29, July 5 & 10)
Donna Anna Rachel Willis-Sørensen+ (July 29 through August 23)
Donna Elvira Rachael Wilson*~
Don Ottavio David Portillo
Leporello Nicholas Newton+
Zerlina Liv Redpath+
Masetto William Guanbo Su*
Il Commendatore Soloman Howard

The Santa Fe Opera Orchestra & Chorus

*Santa Fe Opera debut, ~American debut, +Former Santa Fe Opera Apprentice, =Current Santa Fe Opera Apprentice

About Rachel Willis-Sørensen

American soprano Rachel Willis-Sørensen is known for her diverse repertoire ranging from Mozart to Wagner. She made her debut at the Santa Fe Opera in 2010 while an Apprentice in the role of First Lady in Mozart’s The Magic Flute. This season, in addition to Donna Anna in Don Giovanni, she performs the role of the Marschallin in Strauss’ Der Rosenkavalier.

Ms. Willis-Sørensen is a regular guest at the leading opera houses around the world. Most recently she performed the role of Élisabeth in Verdi’s Don Carlos at the Grand Théâtre de Genève. She has also performed with the Wiener Staatsoper, Opéra national de Paris, Bayerische Staatsoper and LA Opera.

In 2021, Rachel signed a multi-record deal with Sony Classical. She won first prize at the Operalia competition in Los Angeles (2014) and at the Hans Gabor Belvedere Singing Competition (2011) and she was a winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions (2010). She has performed Strauss’s Four Last Songs multiple times, including notably at Buckingham Palace for an HRH Prince Charles birthday celebration.

She holds both Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from Brigham Young University and is an alumna of the Houston Grand Opera Studio.

Learn more about Ms. Willis-Sørensen at https://rachelwillissorensen.com.

Your Night at the Opera

In season, the Box Office is open 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (Monday through Saturday) and into the first intermission on performance nights. Individual tickets and subscriptions can be purchased online at santafeopera.org, in person or over the phone by calling 800-280-4654 or 505-986-5900.

Tickets and Subscriptions: Individual tickets begin at $37, or save up to 25% with a season subscription. For more information visit: https://www.santafeopera.org/tickets/subscriptions/

Family Nights: The Santa Fe Opera is proud to offer families the opportunity to see each opera at a discounted rate. Tickets are $15 for youth (ages 6-22) and $30 for the first two adults. Additional adult tickets may be purchased for $50. For more information and dates, please visit: https://www.santafeopera.org/community/family-nights

Backstage Tours: Experience the unparalleled natural beauty of the Santa Fe Opera’s setting, unique architecture and history. Discover how an opera production comes together with this “behind-the-scenes” tour. Tours take place Monday through Saturday at 9 am during June, July and August and last approximately 45 minutes. Adult tickets are $10 and are free for youth (ages 6-22). Note that Backstage Tours are not offered on June 21, July 3, July 10-13, July 17 or 19. Learn more at https://www.santafeopera.org/whats-on/backstage-tours-2024/.

Opera Shop: In season, the Opera Shop is open from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm (Monday – Saturday) and throughout the evening on performance nights. All proceeds from the Opera Shop help support the Santa Fe Opera.

Opera Dining: Add to your experience with Preview Dinners, Tailgate Picnics or Opening Night Dinners. Visit https://www.santafeopera.org/visiting/opera-dining/ for more information and to purchase.

Prelude Talks: A road map for your evening’s performance, these talks are complementary to ticket holders and are held in Stieren Orchestra Hall twice before most performances. The first talk is given two hours before the performance, and the second is given one hour before. Reservations are not required. Seating is limited. Due to high demand, the first talk is recommended for better availability. Note that Prelude Talks will not be offered on June 28 or before the Apprentice Scenes on August 11 and 18. Visit https://www.santafeopera.org/whats-on/prelude-talks-2024/ for more information.

Shuttles: Book a comfortable round-trip ride to the Santa Fe Opera from one of three hotels in town: The Drury Plaza Hotel, La Fonda, or Eldorado. The round trip cost is $65 per person. The early shuttle arrives in time to attend the Preview Dinner or the first Prelude Talk. The late shuttle arrives 30 minutes before the performance time. Shuttle tickets must be purchased by 3 pm the day before; they may sell out earlier. Once booked, no ticket is required to board our shuttle; your name will be on the driver’s manifest. Please arrive at your designated location at least five minutes before your scheduled pickup time.

Early Shuttle: https://www.santafeopera.org/whats-on/santa-fe-early-shuttle-2024/

Late Shuttle: https://www.santafeopera.org/whats-on/santa-fe-late-shuttle-2024/

Contact Us

The Santa Fe Opera is located at 301 Opera Drive, Santa Fe, NM 87506. Questions? Call the Box Office (9:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Saturday) at 800-280-4654 or 505-986-5900 or email boxoffice@santafeopera.org.

About The Santa Fe Opera – Recognized as “Festival of the Year” at the International Opera Awards, 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.

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.

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