Near Santa Fe in Santa Fe County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Santa Fe Opera
Entrance One Mile Ahead
Photographed By J. J. Prats, April 27, 2013
1. Santa Fe Opera Marker
The Santa Fe Opera, founded in 1957, has won worldwide acclaim for the high standards of its presentations and the success of its apprentice program. World and American premieres as well as standard operatic favorites are presented here. Most operas are performed in English.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Arts, Letters, Music. A significant historical year for this entry is 1957.
Location. 35° 44.575′ N, 105° 56.067′ W. Marker is near Santa Fe, New Mexico, in Santa Fe County. Marker is on U.S. 285 near Opera Drive, on the right when traveling south. It is on the south-bound on-ramp at exit 186 between Opera Drive and the on-ramp. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Santa Fe NM 87506, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Vietnam War Memorial (approx. 2.9 miles away); In Honor of the Navajo Code Talkers (approx. 2.9 miles away); Santa Fe National Cemetery (approx. 3.2 miles away); In Honor of Those Who Gave the Ultimate Sacrifice (approx. 3.2 miles away); Glider Pilots Memorial (approx. 3.2 miles away); China-Burma-India Veterans Memorial (approx. 3.2 miles away); Navy Women Memorial (approx. 3.2 miles away); Cross of the Martyrs (approx. 3.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Santa Fe.
More about this
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Santa Fe Opera Company. Organization Website homepage:
“Every July and August since 1957, opera lovers have been drawn to the magnificent northern New Mexico mountains to enjoy productions by one of America's premier summer opera festivals. Here, The Santa Fe Opera's dramatic adobe theater blends harmoniously with the high desert landscape. It is this fusion of nature and art that leaves such an enduring impression on all who come.” (Submitted on April 28, 2013.)
2. Santa Fe Opera. Wikipedia entry:
“There have been three theatres on the present site of The Santa Fe Opera's approximately 150 acres of land. Each has been located on the same site on a mesa, with the audience facing West toward an ever-changing horizon of sunsets and thunderstorms, frequently visible throughout many productions when no backdrops are used. Over the years, due to the first and second theatres’ exposure to the elements, rainstorms drenched both audiences and orchestra members (and threatened their instruments), requiring occasional cancellations, postponements, or extended intermissions. This fact (plus several others, such as the desire to improve acoustics, to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, to improve patron facilities, and to provide more seating) led to the need
Photographed By J. J. Prats, April 27, 2013
2. Santa Fe Opera Marker
“Three key features of each of the theatres has been the fact that, unlike a conventional opera house or theatre, there is no fly system to allow for scenery to be lowered from above, there is no proscenium arch (and thus no curtain nor means of projecting surtitles), the sides of the house are open, and the rear of the stage may be completely opened to provide westward views.
“Performances begin close to sunset, so that the lighting of the productions is not compromised by the sides of the theatre being open to the outside environment, although since the 2011 season the starting time has been moved up by one half-hour from the original 9pm time. More social aspects of the performance starting time include giving opera-goers the opportunity to observe New Mexico sunsets against the surrounding landscape and the tradition of tailgate dining.” (Submitted on April 28, 2013.)
by Vivaverdi2013 via Wikipedia Commons, May 26, 2008
3. Santa Fe Opera Theatre
Viewed from the south showing the unusual roof line and how it is supported. The white sail-like wind baffles are designed to limit rain from entering the theater.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 19, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 28, 2013, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 537 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 28, 2013, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 3. submitted on April 28, 2013.
