We attended The Marriage of Figaro at the Santa Fe Opera last Saturday and had a great evening overall.
The production felt fresh and kind of experimental. The performance took place on a large rotating platform, and the stage elements like walls and dividers were mobile and repositioned between scenes. Performers or crew would unlock and move them into place, which added a dynamic feel to the transitions. I'm not a musician, but the orchestra and singers all sounded excellent to me.
The venue is beautiful. We’ve been a few times, and the views of the surrounding mountains and the sunset never disappoint. The open-air setting is really special, though now and then you might hear loud cars from the highway nearby. After sundown, we even spotted some bats flying above the crowd, which was fun to watch.
Seating was generally comfortable, but I found the synthetic leather upholstery made it a bit warm after sitting for a while. Sightlines were still good even from the far side of our row, and the translation screens were easy to read and helpful.
We arrived around 5 p.m., giving us time to tailgate with our group before the show. We brought wine, snacks, and a folding table and chairs, and many other groups were doing the same, which created a friendly and festive vibe before the performance. The restrooms were clean and seemed to handle the crowd well during intermission. There were also drink stations offering alcoholic and non-alcoholic options, though I only grabbed water. Every staff member I interacted with was kind and helpful.
Getting out afterward took a little while, about 30 minutes, since there was only one way out, and a long line formed through the nearby casino area. It wasn’t a big deal, but something to keep in mind if you're in a rush.
Overall, it was a memorable evening and one I’d recommend, especially to anyone curious about trying opera in a unique setting. It might not be for everyone, opera can be long and sometimes slow for newcomers, but the setting, quality of the performance, and overall experience make it worth checking out. Bring a breathable layer if it’s hot, arrive early if you want to picnic, and enjoy the scenery.
