In recent years, the venue has been the backdrop for productions about the dawn of the nuclear age in 1940s New Mexico and a world premiere of a techno-infused opera about Apple co-founder Steve Jobs. “The fact that we will be on stage in a few weeks is a testament to the hard work, unfailing optimism and sheer faith of the hundreds of staff members – both year-round and seasonal – who call the Santa Fe Opera their home,” he said. Meya did not address the opera’s financial situation during the news conference, but acknowledged that the journey over the past year has been long. Some patrons held on to their tickets for future years while others donated theirs back to the opera to help compensate seasonal staff members. In a regular year, the opera’s operating budget is about $25 million, with 40% coming from ticket sales and donations making up another 40%. Without a regular season, the opera was faced with a $10 million loss in revenue, leaving officials to stretch federal relief money and donations as far as they could go. More than $5 million in tickets had been sold last year before the opera was forced to cancel the 2020 season because of the pandemic. That has included investments in the opera’s audio and visual infrastructure for things like the simulcasting and other digital offerings, such as virtual backstage tours. “While the past year has presented countless challenges, it has also pushed us to explore new avenues for bringing opera to our community,” Meya said. That means the open air venue will have about 1,000 additional seats for every performance this summer and for the first time will offer nightly simulcasting outside on giant video walls.

Meya said during a virtual news conference that the company recently obtained approval from state officials to increase theater capacity and begin ticket sales on June 10.

ALBUQUERQUE – The gates at the famed Santa Fe Opera are open again, and General Director Robert Meya said Wednesday that he and the entire company are excited to return to the stage in July after nearly a year of planning and preparation amid the coronavirus pandemic.

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