August 6 – 13, 2023
There is a special quality about Santa Fe that has attracted visitors for more than 400 years. It is the oldest capital city in the United States. It is unique in its blending of Native American, Hispanic and Anglo cultures and is renowned for its wealth of museums and fascinating architecture.
The Santa Fe Opera House is nestled in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and offers a panoramic view of sunsets and stars through open sides. The acoustics are incomparable and an English translation of the opera is available in front of your seat.
Operas you will see on the Tour
Tosca by Giacomo Puccini
Seasoned operagoers and newcomers alike are drawn to Tosca for its theatricality fueled by love, jealousy and political intrique as relevant today as when it premiered in 1900 at Rome’s Teatro Costanzi. Conductor John Fiore leads an exciting cast with soprano Angel Blue in the title role. The role of Cavaradossi is played by Freddie De Tommaso in his much-anticipated American debut. Grammy and Emmy-winning baritone Reginald Smith, Jr. will make his company debut as the villainous Scarpia.
Rusalka by Antonin Dvořák
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. 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 highest price for the chance to love a human. Led by conductor Likiya Yankovskaya, the company welcomes back soprano Ailyn Pérez to sing the title role. Tenor Robert Watson sings the role of the Prince and soprano Mary Elizabeth Williams is the Foreign Princess. Mezzo-soprano Michaela Martens is Ježibaba and bass James Creswell sings Vodnik.
Pelléas et Mélisande by Claude Debussy
Not seen on the Santa Fe Opera stage since 1977, Debussy’s masterpiece is presented in a riveting new site-specific production directed and designed by Netia Jones. With Pelléas, Debussy’s orchestra is a character of its own; one of the 20th-century’s most influential scores propelling a visceral drama that never fails to move. Music Director Harry Bicket conducts a cast headlined by two thrilling singers in their Santa Fe Opera debuts: baritone Huw Montague Rendall and mezzo-soprano Samantha Hankey. Also making company debuts are Korean baritone and 2021 Cardiff Singer of the World Gihoon Kim as Golaud and Estonian bass Ain Anger in the role of Arkel. Audience favourite mezzo-soprano Susan Graham returns to the Santa Fe Opera stage as Geneviève.
The Flying Dutchman by Richard Wagner
Richard Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman is a piece not heard on the Santa Fe Opera stage in over 30 years. Stage Director David Alden who has directed every other Wagner opera, is excited to give us this powerful new production set during the Industrial Revolution. In this retelling, the legend of a ghost ship forever condemned to sail the seas takes on psychological depths. Thomas Guggels, the 29 year-old incoming Music Director of the Frankfurt Opera, conducts an all-star cast including Nicholas Brownlee in the role of the Dutchman, acclaimed soprano Elza van den Heever as Senta, bass Morris Robinson as Daland, Richard Trey Smagur as Erik and Bille Bruley as Steuermann.
Orfeo by Claudio Monteverdi
Rounding out the 2023 Festival Season is the world premiere of a new orchestration by Nico Muhly of one of opera’s earliest written and regularly performed works, Monteverdi’s seminal Orfeo. The direction is in the hands of Yuval Sharon in his company debut. One of the greatest exponents of the title role, superstar tenor Rolando Villazón, makes his company debut. Soprano Lauren Snouffer sings the roles of La musica and La speranza, mezzo-soprano Paula Murrihy sings La messaggera, James Creswell is Caronte and baritone Blake Denson is Plutone.
Tour Costs
Prices quoted in this brochure are in Canadian dollars based on a full tour, and airfares and foreign exchange rates in effect at time of printing (November 2022). We reserve the right to adjust the tour cost if there are substantial price changes.
- Guild Members: Cdn. $4,290 per person based on sharing twin accommodation.
- Non-Guild Members: Cdn. $4,340
- Single supplement: Cdn. $1,265
Tour Includes
- Airfare between Vancouver and Albuquerque
- Transfers between Albuquerque and Santa Fe
- Accommodation for 7 nights at the Inn of the Governors including daily Mountain Sunrise Breakfast
- Welcome Sherry and Biscochitos
- One pre-opera buffet
- State taxes and hotel porterage
- Return transfers between the Inn of the Governors and the Santa Fe Opera House
- Five opera tickets (Section 4)
- Day excursion to Georgia O’Keeffe’s home and Ghost Ranch including admissions
- Excursion to the Allan Houser Sculpture Garden and Madrid
- Vancouver Opera Guild Tour Director
- $150 donation to the Vancouver Opera Guild ($200 for non-members)
Tour Does Not Include
- Tour cost does not include airport taxes of approx. $180.
Tour Schedule
August 6, 2023: Vancouver-Albuquerque-SantaFe
Early morning departure from Vancouver by Alaska Airlines to Seattle with connecting flight to Albuquerque. Bus transfer to the Inn of the Governors in Santa Fe.
Welcome Sherry and Biscochitos on arrival.
August 7, 2023: Santa Fe
Evening transfer to the Opera House for the performance of Tosca.
August 8, 2023: Santa Fe-Allan Houser-Santa Fe
Today an excursion to the Allan Houser Sculpture Garden. Meander among 80 monumental works situated on 15 acres where the renowned sculptor lived and worked. An indoor gallery exhibits hundreds of drawings, paintings and smaller sculptures. Continue to Madrid and free time for lunch. Evening transfer to the Opera House for the performance of Rusalka.
August 9, 2023: Santa Fe
Evening transfer to the Opera House for the performance of Pelléas et Mélisande.
August 10, 2023: Santa Fe
Today visit the home of Georgia O’Keeffe, an American artist whose extensive portfolio of work included countless paintings inspired by the landscape of northern New Mexico. After moving from New York to Abiquiu in 1949 she lived in a 5,000 sq. ft. home dating from the Spanish Colonial era. Also tour the landscape of Ghost Ranch and see the scenes and actual locations of her paintings.
Evening transfer to the Opera House for the performance of The Flying Dutchman.
August 11, 2023: Santa Fe
Evening transfer to the Opera House for the pre-opera buffet followed by the performance of Orfeo.
August 12, 2023: Santa Fe
All day at leisure.
August 13, 2023: Santa Fe-Vancouver
Morning bus transfer to Albuquerque for your Alaska Airlines flights to Seattle and Vancouver.
CONTACT
Lis Dawson 604-922-8008
or
Genny MacLean (Great Expeditions) 604-738-5535
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
This paragraph defines our responsibility with respect to all our tours. Please read it carefully. Payment of deposit represents an acceptance by purchaser of the following terms and conditions. Great Expeditions (its owners, outfitters, agents and employees) gives notice that all arrangements for accommodation, transportation and/or all related travel services, have been made by Great Expeditions only as agent, upon the express condition that Great Expeditions shall not be liable for any injury, damage, delay, mishap, inconvenience or irregularity occasioned through the default of any company or individual engaged in providing the arranged accommodation. Great Expeditions cannot be responsible for negligent conduct or financial irresponsibility of these suppliers, since they maintain no control over them. Such passenger conveyance, hotel accommodation, etc. is subject to the laws of the state or country where provided. In addition Great Expeditions assumes no liability resulting directly or indirectly from any of the following causes: acts of God, detention, annoyance, weather, quarantines, strikes, civil disturbance, theft, government regulations, etc. over which it has no control. Great Expeditions reserves the right to substitute hotels and leaders and to alter the itinerary when deemed necessary or advisable. The right is also reserved to cancel any trip prior to departure upon the refund of all payments received, which shall release Great Expeditions from any further liability. Great Expeditions reserves the right to decline to accept or retain any person or member of any tour should such person’s actions or general deportment impede the operation of the tour or the rights or welfare or enjoyment of other members of the tour, and it is agreed a refund of the amount recovered from suppliers of unused land services is the limit of Great Expeditions’ responsibility.
CARRIER’S RESPONSIBILITY
No carrier shall have or incur any responsibility or liability to any passenger or for property accompanying passengers, except for its liability as a common carrier. In particular, Great Expeditions advises the customer that any air carrier’s liability may be limited by its tariffs, conditions of carriage and international conventions and agreements.
BC Reg. 2629
RESERVATIONS
A non-refundable deposit of $500 per person is required at time of booking, plus insurance premium, if required. Balance of payment is due by May 31, 2023.
CANCELLATIONS
All payments are non-refundable unless space can be resold.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
We strongly recommend that tour members purchase trip cancellation/interruption insurance to protect themselves against money loss in the event of cancellation due to personal or family illness. We also offer comprehensive insurance which includes trip cancellation/interruption plus excess hospital/medical benefits, baggage and travel accident. Some exclusions for pre-existing conditions do apply. Insurance premiums are age banded. Please ask for an insurance quote at time of booking.