Santa Fe Opera history

1963: Catron begins a 25-year run as board chair as the Foundation records its first donation of $251.30

In 1965, the Apprentice Program for Theater Technicians was added, and it too has become an important training tool.

1966: Foundation’s opens first Museum Shop in Museum of Fine Arts basement

Tags: Cardillac, Igor Stravinsky, John Crosby, Madame Butterfly, Paul Hindemith, Puccini, santa fe opera, santa fe opera fire of 1967, Sweeney Gym, The Barber of Seville

The theatre was rebuilt in 1968 with seating being boosted from 480 to 1,889 due to the popularity of the venue.

1972: Foundation establishes permanent offices in the historic downtown Hewett House

1973: Sales at downtown Museum Shops, including at the Palace of the Governors, reach $122,926

1981: Foundation hires its first development officer

1983: Foundation assets reach $2.1 million

1986: Foundation hires first executive director to oversee 16 paid employees.

1987: The Museum of Indian Arts & Culture opens with a Foundation museum shop inside.

1988: Foundation helps the Friends of the Palace purchase the historic Segesser Hide paintings for the Palace of the Governors.

1989: Foundation funds the “Museum Express,” a traveling exhibition mini-van.

1995: Foundation receives its first major bequest, a $2 million gift from the estate of Santa Fe fiber artist Maggy Ryan.

To celebrate the opening night of the new theatre, the Santa Fe Opera put on the production of… Puccini’s Madama Butterfly.The second theatre, which included many expansions to accommodate backstage, scenery, and storage facilities lasted until the end of the season in 1997.

1998: Foundation launches Licensing and Product Development program

2000: Foundation establishes permanent endowment funds of $250,000 each for the four Museum of New Mexico museums

2001: Foundation establishes planned giving program

Crosby, who died in 2002, had the unique distinction as being the longest running general director of an opera company in the United States.

The current name, The New Mexico Museum of Art, was adopted in 2007 to reflect the breadth of New Mexico art.

He retired following the 2008 season when Charles MacKay, then General Director of Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, became the third General Director in the Santa Fe opera’s history.

Santa Fe Opera, 2012 season, tickets, schedule, Casa Escondida B&B

When accepting his appointment as General Director, Meya named Alexander Neef as the opera’s first Artistic Director and appointed Harry Bicket, Santa Fe Opera’s Chief Conductor since 2013 and Artistic Director of The English Concert, to be the company’s Music Director.

2016: Foundation launches Centennial Campaign for New Mexico Museum of Art; receives largest cash gift in its history of $4 million to build Vladem Contemporary

One of the most anticipated premieres was the 2017 production of The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs, an opera about a modern-day tech guru.

2019: Foundation moves to the Shonnard Campus at 1411 Paseo de Peralta

39 performances, consisting of five operas, were to take place in 2020 including a world premiere.