SIMULCAST - A Midsummer Night's Dream 2021

Synopsis
Artists
Simulcast FAQs
Photography
Video

Join us for a “DRIVE-IN” Simulcast Opera Experience!

For the 2021 Season, each evening’s performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream will be simulcast onto two state-of-the-art LED video walls in our lower parking lots. There you will find sweeping views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, and the opera playing on your own car radio!

Tickets must be purchased in advance.

Entrance: Exit 168 of US 84/285. Enter on Opera Drive – turn right before you get to the main theater parking lot on the south side of the theater. There will be parking lot attendants to direct you in to the lot.

Before you purchase tickets, please review our FAQs.

Music by

Benjamin Britten

Libretto by

Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears after William Shakespeare

Sung in

English

On Screen Translations

English
Spanish

Premiered

une 11, 1960 at the Aldeburgh Festival, England

Collaboration with

Garsington Opera

Directed for the Screen by

Bruce Bryant

Assistant Video Director

Beth Krynicki

Audio Engineer

Michael Schweppe

Simulcast Production Company

Staging Solutions

Screens Provided by

db Production Services

Production Support Generously Provided by

Avenir Foundation, Inc.
Sarah Billinghurst Solomon & Howard Solomon

The Engagement of Harry Bicket is Supported by

Joseph M. Bryan Jr.

The Engagement of Netia Jones is Supported by

The Marineau Family Foundation

Performances of Erin Morley Supported by

The Peter B. Frank Principal Artist Fund

The performances of Iestyn Davies are supported by

The MacKay Fund for Debut Artists

Simulcast Sponsors

Brooke Suzanne Gray
James V. & Dana Pope Manning
Gene & Jean Stark

Run Time

Approximately 3 hours 10 minutes with one 25 minute intermission and one 20 minute intermission

Act I

At twilight, Fairies prepare to deck the Athenian woods with dew. The nimble Puck announces their King Oberon and Queen Tytania, who have strained the bonds of Nature herself with a custody battle over a little changeling pageboy whose mother served the Queen. Tytania refuses to share the King’s bed until he should return the child.

Oberon sends Puck to fetch the juice of a rare flower, which, when dropped upon Tytania’s eyes, will make her fall in love with the first creature she sees. Thus he’ll be revenged, holding her affections captive until she deliver up the pageboy.

Hermia and Lysander flee to the woods from her father’s order that she marry Demetrius. Soon after comes Demetrius fleeing Helena’s pursuit. Oberon enters and overhears, and bids Puck drop the magic flower-juice on Demetrius’ eyes to make him reciprocate Helena’s affection, restoring the symmetry of the pair of pairs, while he himself will take the rest for Tytania.

Six craftsmen meet to rehearse a play which they hope to perform for the wedding of Duke Theseus of Athens to Queen Hippolyta of the Amazons. After some discussion, Peter Quince, the leader, casts Nick Bottom as the lover Pyramus and Francis Flute as his lady Thisbe.

Puck, finding Lysander and Hermia asleep, mistakes Lysander for Demetrius and sprinkles the juice over his eyes. Demetrius arrives with Helena at his heels; he abandons her near the sleeping pair. Helena rouses Lysander, who is instantly smitten. He proclaims his love and she, believing he mocks her, runs off in a rage. He follows, leaving Hermia to awaken alone from a terrible dream.

The Fairies sing their Queen to sleep, and Oberon drops the magic juice upon her eyes.

Act II

The craftsmen, gathered in the woods for rehearsal, consider some revisions to their script. Puck overhears and decides to have some fun by turning Bottom’s head into that of an ass. The transformation puts Bottom’s terrified colleagues to flight. Left alone, he sings to cheer himself … and Tytania, waking to his strains, is smitten on the spot. Her fairies fly to attend him, and he falls asleep in her arms.

Oberon and Puck enter, comparing notes. Seeing Hermia and Demetrius stagger in — she accusing him of having killed Lysander — they realize Puck has enchanted the wrong Athenian. Demetrius stops to rest, and Oberon bestows an antidote on him whilst Puck flies to find the others.

No sooner does Helena enter with Lysander on her heels than Demetrius awakes, ready to adore her. Smothered by the praises of both men, who roundly reject the arriving Hermia, Helena reaches the peak of exasperation, accusing Hermia of goading the fellows to such a cruel joke. The quartet quarrels furiously: and Oberon, equally furious with Puck, orders him to administer the antidote to Lysander. Puck leads the lovers through the woods by imitating their voices, until they all fall into a dazed sleep; then sweetly applies the solution.

Act III

Your Health and Safety is our first concern! Audience Participation Required!

Tickets:

Tickets will be issued via Email. We recommend taking a screenshot of your tickets as WiFi may be unreliable in the parking lots.
Please check your spam folders if you do not receive your tickets at least a week prior to the event. You should see a confirmation immediately after your purchase.
Tickets are non-refundable. Exchanges, however, are possible.
Simulcasts 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. ONLY IF A SIMULCAST IS CANCELLED will refunds be issued to the original ticket holder.
We encourage anyone who is feeling unwell not to attend a performance. If you have any COVID-19 symptoms, please call the Box Office prior to your performance to discuss your ticket options. We will work with patrons on a case-by-case basis.

Parking:

Tickets are general admission within price zones.
Oversized vehicles will be parked as to no obstruct viewers from behind, to the best of our ability.
NO RVs or trailers will be allowed, utility or otherwise.
Smaller cars will be parked either closer to the screen or in a more central area within their price zone.
Parking attendants may need to move your location prior to the performance to allow for better viewing for all cars.
You may open the hatch of your car or SUV, however it cannot obstruct the view of other patrons.
Please remain with your vehicle at all times unless visiting the restrooms.
Pets are not allowed in the theater or parking lot.

Masks:

Masks are required when entering the Santa Fe Opera facilities and restrooms.
Your face mask should:
- Have two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric
- Completely cover your nose and mouth
- Fit snugly against the sides of your face without gaps
- Have a nose wire to prevent air from leaking out of the top of the mask
- Single layer masks, gaiters or masks with visible exhalation valves or vents are not acceptable.

Tailgating:

Food may be consumed inside your vehicle or immediately adjacent to your vehicle.
Alcohol is not allowed.

Restrooms:

Restrooms will be available in the parking lot, including an ADA accessible, gender neutral facility. Please accompany any minors or dependents.
Patrons must sanitize their hands both before and after using the restroom facilities.

Sound: