Santa Fe Opera: A Desert Sanctuary for Emerging Talent and Rare Premieres

Back in 1956, in the arid highlands just north of Santa Fe, New Mexico, a young conductor from New York envisioned creating an outdoor opera venue. Though many doubted the feasibility of such a project in the Southwest, John Crosby was undeterred. His passion for opera had been ignited during his youth at the Metropolitan Opera.

Almost seventy years later, the Santa Fe Opera stands as a beacon for singers, directors, stage designers, and conductors worldwide. Its summer season, commencing annually in late June, serves as a vital stepping stone for numerous artists progressing to major houses, including the Metropolitan Opera.

Robert K. Meya, the current general director, recently highlighted the enduring legacy of artists who launched their careers on this stage before moving to prominent opera venues. Crosby’s original ambition was closely linked to the Metropolitan Opera, inspired by his early exposure to Richard Strauss’s works there. This connection propelled Santa Fe to present several of Strauss’s operas for the first time in the United States.

This dedication to promoting Strauss’s lesser-known compositions has become a hallmark of the company. Notably, six of Strauss’s operas received their U.S. professional premieres at Santa Fe, including “Capriccio” in 1958 and “Intermezzo” in 1984, decades after the composer’s death in 1949.

Continuing Crosby’s vision, the Santa Fe Opera often features a world premiere or U.S. premiere in nearly every season among its five main productions, distinguishing the company as an incubator for new and rare operatic works.