Guild Events
Maestro Joe Illick: Telling Stories Through Music
Tuesday, May 14, 2024
5:00 to 6:30 pm (MDT) Presentation begins
Check-in begins at 4:30 pm
Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 107 W. Barcelona Rd, Santa Fe
You know that the Santa Fe Opera’s Festival Season is not far away when you hear that Maestro Joe Illick will be returning to the Santa Fe Opera Guild with his ever-popular annual presentation, Telling Stories Through Music. Maestro Illick will play the piano and talk to us about four of the operas slated for 2024: Verdi’s La traviata, Mozart’s Don Giovanni, Strauss’ Der Rosenkavalier, and Donizetti’s Elixir of Love.
A long-time member of the Santa Fe Opera Guild commented recently, “No matter how familiar I think I might be with an opera I always learn something new listening to Joe Illick.” She went on to say, “His deep knowledge of music, combined with his engaging stage presence, always adds up to a delightful evening.”
We hope you can join us on Tuesday, May 14 at 5:00 pm at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation as Maestro Joe Illick helps us gear up for the excitement of the Santa Fe Opera’s 2024 Festival Season.
Santa Fe Opera Guild - Apprentice Singers Dinner
Friday, May 31, 2024, 5:30 - 7:30 pm (MDT)
McCune Terrace, Santa Fe Opera
The Apprentice Dinner is now sold out.
We are thrilled to announce that the Santa Fe Opera Guild Apprentice Singers Dinner will be held on McCune Terrace at the Santa Fe Opera Ranch on May 31, 2024. This event is open only to members of the Santa Fe Opera Guild. We are so pleased that the 2024 season features forty-four talented singers from several countries. The Apprentice Singers Dinner is beloved by everyone and lasting friendships have resulted because members have generously hosted these emerging opera singers. The joy we have all felt in watching careers unfold is priceless.
If you would like to Host an Apprentice, you can do so using the Host an Apprentice button below. If you have questions, you can contact events@santafeoperaguild.org
Albuquerque Opera Guild - Italian Night 2024
Tuesday, April 9, 2024 at 6 pm
Albuquerque Sheraton Uptown, 2600 Louisiana Blvd NE, ABQ
The Albuquerque Opera Guild invites you to their annual fundraising event, Italian Night featuring the Young Voices of The Santa Fe Opera. The event will include a special tribute to former President, long-time Guild member, and Santa Fe Opera supporter, Estelle H. Rosenblum (who passed away November 13, 2023).
Vivace Book Group - Verdi With a Vengeance: An Energetic Guide to the Life and Works of the King of Opera by William Berger
Tuesday, March 26, 2024, 2:00-3:00 pm
Santa Fe Main Public Library
145 Washington Ave, Santa Fe
Vivace returns to an in-person event as we discuss Verdi With a Vengeance: An Energetic Guide to the Life and Works of the King of Opera by William Berger. Join us for a lively discussion of Berger’s detailed, humorous, and astute book on Verdi’s reign as the king of opera. Our discussion promises to be a lively session led by Santa Fe Opera Guild President Bernadette Snider.
William Berger is a noted expert on opera; he has also written popular books about Wagner and Puccini. A reviewer of his Verdi title raves, “William Berger has given another improbable performance, serving up a book as thorough as it is funny and as original as it is astute, an utterly indispensable guide for novice and expert alike.”
When you are purchasing a book for the Vivace series, we hope you'll consider buying from our local Santa Fe booksellers.
There is no charge for this event, but registration is required.
Santa Fe Opera Guild - Der Rosenkavalier: ‘An old Viennese waltz, sweet yet saucy’
Friday, March 15, 2024, 6pm
Check-in: 5:30pm
Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 107 W Barcelona Rd, Santa Fe
Join us as renowned speaker Desirée Mays puts this Richard Strauss opera in the context of a world sorely in need of comedy. We look forward to seeing you!
Santa Fe Opera Guild - 2024 Annual Luncheon
Tuesday, February 20, 2024, 11:30 am
La Fonda on the PlazaTM
The Santa Fe Opera Guild is delighted to announce that Director Emeritus of the Apprentice Program and international opera singer, David Holloway, will be our guest speaker at the Annual Luncheon.
The luncheon will take place in the La Terraza room and Garden Terrace the of La Fonda on the PlazaTM in downtown Santa Fe. La Terraza is always a favorite among guests as an opulent and memorable venue.
Registration for the Annual Luncheon is now closed.
Española Valley Opera Guild - Posole Mio 2024
Sunday, February 18, 2024, 1-4 pm (MST)
Moving Arts Theater Española
At the corner of NM-68 and Eagle Dr., just north of the Ohkay Owingeh Casino Gas Station
POSOLE MIO! Is a fundraiser for the Española Valley Opera Guild that features homemade posole and desserts and a wine and cider cash bar by Black Mesa Winery. Guests will also be able to enter a fun raffle and bid on silent auction items which will include original art and gift certificates to area restaurants and resorts.
Entertainment will include live mariachi music by the local band Mariachi Euforia during the food and drink service from 1-2 pm. At 2 pm, guests will move into the theater (no food or drink allowed there) for vocal performances by Baritone Carlos Archuleta, Soprano Christina Martos and their daughter Marina Archuleta, a student at Los Alamos High School, all accompanied by Nathan Salazar. The Pojoaque Valley High School’s girls’ choir, Bella Voce, will then perform under the direction of Devin DeVargas. These vocal performances will be followed by the Moving Art Espanola Folkorico Dancers. The final performance will be 10-year-old soloist, Alani Rae Unzueta who will sing one song accompanied by her father on the piano. The Raffle and Silent Auction winners will then be awarded following the performance.
Adults $20 | Children age 12 and under $10 | Free Parking
Please pay by cash at the door.
Taos Opera Guild - ABCs of Conducting
Saturday, February 10 at 9:30 am (MST)
New Beginnings Church, 551 Cruz Alta Road, Taos
The Taos Opera Guild is excited to host Oliver Prezant with his informative and entertaining talk on the role of the conductor in opera. This talk is free for members of the Taos Opera Guild as well as all members of the Guilds of the Santa Fe Opera. Young people 22 years and younger will also be admitted for free. All other attendees are asked to pay $10.
Coffee and pastries will be served at 9:30 am (MST). The talk will begin at 10:00 am (MST).
Register at the event or click below to register online.
Los Alamos Opera Guild - Enhancing the Music: Costumes & Props from the Santa Fe Opera
Saturday, January 27, 2024, 2 pm
Fuller Lodge, 2132 Central Ave, Los Alamos
Join the Los Alamos Opera Guild for a special presentation by Blair Gulledge, Costume Director and Eileen Garcia, Props Director of the Santa Fe Opera.
They will provide a glimpse behind the scenes into how costumes and props enhance the music of the Santa Fe Opera productions. This special “show and tell” is sure to intrigue, surprise, and enrich. Last year’s presentation gave us a glimpse at plans for the new Opera Season!
All are welcome to attend this free event.
Santa Fe Opera Guild - Opera in the Films of Coppola and Scorsese
Tuesday, January 23, 6 pm (check-in 5:30 pm)
Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 107 W. Barcelona Rd, Santa Fe
Santa Fe Opera Guild favorite Mark Tiarks kicks off the first of our educational offerings for 2024 as he explores the weaving of opera scores into the films of Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola. There will be a “Meet and Greet” in the lobby with Mark after his presentation, which is a great time to say hello to Mark and mingle with your fellow members.
$10 for Guild Members, $20 for Non-Members
Virtual Vivace - Maria Callas Remembered: An Intimate Portrait of the Private Callas by Nadia Stancioff
Tuesday, January 16, 2024, 6-7pm (MST)
Virtual Check-In 5:50pm (MST)
The Vivace Book Club will meet on January 16 to discuss Maria Callas Remembered: An Intimate Portrait of the Private Callas by Nadia Stancioff. Maria Callas’s dear friend shares her personal memories of the woman who dazzled the opera world but remained at heart a woman who wanted most to be respected and loved for her true self.
The facilitator for the evening is Kathleen Wilson, who earned a doctorate in voice pedagogy from Columbia University and is a member of the Santa Fe Opera Guild Board.
The book discussion will be held via Zoom. The event is free, but you must register to attend. Registration will close at noon on January 16, 2024.
On the Town: New Mexico History Museum Reveals Treasures to Santa Fe Opera Guild Members
Tuesday, November 14, 2023
1:45 pm (MST) Arrival / 2:00 pm (MST) Docent-led tours begin
New Mexico History Museum , 113 Lincoln Ave, Santa Fe
The Santa Fe Opera Guild kicks off the new On the Town series with a visit to the New Mexico History Museum. On the Town is designed to bridge cultural organizations in our community with innovative offerings.
This event is sold out.
Virtual Vivace: Florence! Foster!! Jenkins!!! The World's Worst Opera Singer by Darryl W. Bullock
Monday, October 2, 2023 at 6 pm MDT
Virtual Check-in at 5:50 pm MDT
The Vivace Book Club will meet on October 2 to discuss Florence! Foster!! Jenkins!!! The World's Worst Opera Singer by Darryl W. Bullock. The facilitator for the evening is Kathleen Wilson, who earned a doctorate in voice pedagogy from Columbia University and is a member of the Santa Fe Opera Guild Board.
The book discussion will be held via Zoom. The event is free, but you must register to attend. Registration will close at noon on October 2nd.
2023 Annual Meeting
Tuesday, August 29, 2023, 5:30 - 7:00 pm
McCune Terrace at the Santa Fe Opera
The Santa Fe Opera Guild is excited to announce that Chief Artistic Officer, David Lomelí is our speaker for this year's Annual Meeting. We are also grateful to the Santa Fe Opera Props Department who will provide items from the SFO stage as part of the auction during the evening. We will gather on beautiful McCune Terrace at the Santa Fe Opera on Tuesday, August 29, beginning at 5:30 PM for libations and hors d’oeuvres.
We hope you will join us as we review the Guild’s financial statement, introduce new members and officers of the Board of Directors, reminisce about the recently concluded 2023 opera season, and look forward to the 2024 Festival Season with David Lomelí.
This event is only for Santa Fe Opera Guild members and is limited to 100 attendees as per McCune Terrace capacity codes. There is no charge for the event, but registration is required. Registration closes August 23.
Join the Guilds of the Santa Fe Opera for Opening Night 2023!
A fundraising dinner for the Guilds of the Santa Fe Opera, Inc.
Friday, June 30, 2023, Registration 5:30 pm, Dinner 6:15 pm (MDT)
Dapples Pavilion at the Santa Fe Opera Ranch
Soon it will be Opening Night for the Santa Fe Opera! This year, the production to begin the 2023 Festival Season is Puccini’s monumental story of love, lust and political intrigue – Tosca. Begin your evening with a glass of sparkling wine, then enjoy an Italian-themed buffet complete with wine for the table; all included in the event fee!
Please note tickets for the opening night performance of Tosca should be purchased through the Santa Fe Opera Box office.
Santa Fe Opera Guild - Telling Stories Through Music with Joe Illick
Thursday, June 15, 2023, 6 pm MDT
Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 107 W. Barcelona Rd, Santa Fe
Maestro Joe Illick is back live to perform one of our favorite events, Opera: Telling Stories Through Music, his piano retrospective of the five operas of the upcoming Santa Fe Opera season. Mark your calendars for June 15 and join us for a fun and educational evening.
$20 for Members | In-person or Live Streamed
$30 for Non-Members | In-person or Live Streamed
Taos Opera Guild - 2023 Summer Gala
Tuesday, June 6, 2023, 5 - 8 pm MDT
The Zillioux Home, 210 Ledoux St, Taos
Join the Taos Opera Guild for an evening of food, wine, and music at the lovely Zillioux home, formerly the home and gallery of artist R.C. Gorman, in historic Taos.
Santa Fe Opera Guild - Meet the Apprentice Singers Dinner
Saturday, June 3, 2023, 6 - 8 pm MDT
Santa Fe Opera, Dapples Pavilion
We are thrilled to announce that the members-only Santa Fe Opera Guild Apprentice Singers Dinner is back live this year at Dapples Pavilion at the Santa Fe Opera Ranch. The Apprentice Singers Dinner is a fun way to kick-off the 2023 Santa Fe Opera season. Plan to attend the festivities and give a warm welcome to the future stars of Opera and treat them to a great meal and a glass of wine. See you at Dapples Pavilion.
Española Valley Opera Guild - Special Piano Concert
Saturday, May 20, 2023, 3-6 PM
Moving Arts Española, 68 NM-291
Join us for a concert presented by Moving Arts Española and the Española Opera Guild featuring acclaimed pianist Katya Grineva. Entry to the concert is by suggested donation of $20. Donations received will go to support the pianist herself and Moving Arts Española.
Santa Fe Opera Guild - Pelléas et Mélisande: Great Singers of the Past
Thursday, May 4, 2023, 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Santa Fe Woman’s Club, 1616 Old Pecos Trail, Santa Fe
Collector and student of historic records and great performers of the past, Ifan Payne will give an audio-visual presentation of the most important interpreters who sang the roles of Pelléas and Mélisande from 1904 to the present day.
Albuquerque Opera Guild - Italian Night
Tuesday, April 18, 2023
Reception 6:00 pm / Concert followed by Dinner and Raffle 6:30 PM (MDT)
The Albuquerque Opera Guild’s 2023 Italian Night, featuring the Young Voices of the Santa Fe Opera, will take place at the Albuquerque Sheraton Uptown in the Grand Wurlitzer Ballroom. Cost is $75, and registration closes on April 10.
Santa Fe Opera Guild - Myth and the Flying Dutchman
Monday, April 17, 2023, 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Santa Fe Woman’s Club, 1616 Old Pecos Trail, Santa Fe
Please join us to hear Desirée Mays’ talk on the real and supernatural elements of the Flying Dutchman legend, its mythic implications, and the riveting score of Richard Wagner.
Santa Fe Opera Guild - Vivace Book Group: Tosca's Rome: The Play and the Opera in Historical Perspective by Susan Vandiver Nicassio
Tuesday, April 11, 3032, 4:00 - 6:00 PM
Vara Vinoteca, 329 W. San Francisco St, Santa Fe
A timeless tale of love, lust, and politics, Tosca is one of the most popular operas ever written. In Tosca’s Rome, Susan Vandiver Nicassio explores the surprising historical realities that lie behind Giacomo Puccini’s opera and the play by Victorien Sardou on which it is based.
Registration is limited to 15 people. Registration will close when the event capacity has been reached or on Friday, April 7, whichever comes first. We will maintain a waiting list in the event of cancellations.
Santa Fe Opera Guild - Czech It Out!
Wednesday, March 22, 2023, 6:00-7:00 PM
Santa Fe Woman’s Club, 1616 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe
Please join us to hear Mark Tiarks’ presentation of Czech It Out! - How Dvořák, Smetana, and Janáček created the Czech opera heritage and helped save a vanishing culture. This event is a “must attend” for anyone who plans to see Rusalka this summer at the Santa Fe Opera.
Los Alamos & Española Valley Opera Guilds - Young Voices
Sunday, March 19, 2023, 2 PM
Los Alamos Fuller Lodge, 2132 Central Ave, Los Alamos, NM
The Los Alamos and Española Valley Guilds of the Santa Fe Opera invite you to a recital of members of the Young Voices of the Santa Fe Opera featuring Samantha Brown, Arlo Jennings, Charlotte Grenier, Kaleb Romero, Oliva Long, and David Valesquez, who are accompanied by pianist Paul Roth. The event is free but donations are welcome.
Santa Fe Opera Guild - 2023 Annual Luncheon
Thursday, February 16, 2023, 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM
The Santa Fe Opera Guild’s Annual Luncheon is in-person for the first time since 2020! Join us at the beautiful Santa Fe room in the La Fonda on the Plaza™ hotel. The deadline for registration is February 3rd.
Española Valley Opera Guild - Posole Mio 2023
Sunday, February 5, 2023, 1:00-4:00 PM
Join the Española Guild for an afternoon of homemade posole, desserts, and live mariachi music!
Santa Fe Opera Guild - Reaching Out to a New Generation
Tuesday, January 17, 2023, 3:00-4:00 PM
The Santa Fe Opera Guild’s Education Committee is connecting with students in their classrooms. Last year we shared a presentation with gifted students in Roswell letting them know about the art form of opera and the Santa Fe Opera. If you are interested in seeing this PowerPoint presentation, join us via Zoom. The event is free but registration is required. The Zoom link will be shared with registrants the morning of the event.
Vivace Book Club: The Flying Dutchman
Monday, January 9, 2023, 6:00-7:15 PM
Vivace Book Club will meet on January 9 to discuss Richard Wagner’s opera The Flying Dutchman. Presenter for the evening is David Hughes, a member of the Wagner Society of Santa Fe. He is also a member of the Wagner Society of New York and contributes to its bi-monthly publication, Wagner Notes, and is currently the New York society’s International Liaison.
The book discussion will be held via Zoom. Free to all registrants.
2022 Opera Salon
The 2022 Opera Salon will take place at the Santa Fe Woman’s Club on Old Pecos Trail on November 6th. Refreshments are included in the cost of the event. Deadline for registration is Wednesday, November 2nd.
$20 members / $25 non-members
Bringing Zorro to the Opera Stage
Composer and librettist Maestro Héctor Armienta will discuss Zorro, his new opera that will be performed by Opera Southwest in October. This talk will be held at the Santa Fe Woman’s Club on Old Pecos Trail.
$0 members / $10 non-members
Vivace Book Club: The Impossible Art: Adventures in Opera by Matthew Aucoin
A user's guide to opera—Matthew Aucoin, "the most promising operatic talent in a generation" (The New York Times Magazine), describes the creation of his groundbreaking new work, Eurydice, and shares his reflections on the past, present, and future of opera.