Dozens of operas premiere every year, and most are never heard of again.
A notable exception is “The Ballad of Baby Doe,” which Central City Opera debuted in 1956. Nearly 20 companies in cities ranging from San Francisco to Amarillo, Texas, have mounted productions of it in the past 15 years alone.
Given the success of the Douglas Moore creation, based on one of the most famous stories in Colorado’s mining history, it was only natural that Central City would present a 50th-anniversary production during its 2006 season.
The company, which has regularly revived the opera, last presented it 10 years ago.
“I knew that if we did it in ’96, then we had to do it in 2006 for its 50th anniversary, so I didn’t touch it for 10 years, which is about the longest we ever go without doing ‘Baby Doe,’ because it’s our signature American work, if you will,” said Pat Pearce, the company’s general director.
The anniversary production opens June 24 and runs for 14 performances through Aug. 6.
Here is a look at six other operas that the region’s opera companies are presenting this summer:
“The Magic Flute,” Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, July 1-Aug. 25, Santa Fe Opera |Any opportunity to see Mozart’s last and, in many ways, most magical opera is always welcome. But this production of the mystical fairy tale has an added draw – the chance to hear the great French soprano Natalie Dessay as Pamina, the queen’s daughter.
“The Coronation of Poppea,” Claudio Monteverdi, July 8-Aug. 4, Central City Opera|The company is offering its first production of 17th-century composer Claudio Monteverdi’s final and perhaps best opera, which is set amid the decline of the Roman Empire. British conductor Nicholas Kraemer, a noted baroque specialist, will lead a pit orchestra of 10 original instruments – a first for Central City.
“Cinderella,” Jules Massenet, July 15-Aug. 24, Santa Fe Opera|Mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato, who will appear in the title role, just won a Royal Philharmonic Society Award. Her Covent Garden appearance in “The Barber of Seville” was hailed as “a revelatory celebration of Rossini’s style and spirit.”
“Our Town,” Ned Rorem, July 29 and 31 and Aug. 2, Aspen Opera Theater Center, Aspen Music Festival, Wheeler Opera House|Conductor David Zinman will lead the Western debut of Rorem’s new adaptation of Thornton Wilder’s popular 1938 play. The Indiana University Opera Theater presented the world premiere in February to positive reviews.
“The Tempest,” Thomas Adès, July 29-Aug. 17, Santa Fe Opera|The American premiere of this operatic adaptation of Shakespeare’s famous play will feature three of the original members of the Covent Garden cast. The 35-year-old English composer gained almost instant fame with his 1995 chamber opera, “Powder Her Face,” which was performed everywhere from Helsinki to Aspen.
“Albert Herring,” Benjamin Britten, Aug. 15 and 17, Aspen Opera Theater Center|Certainly England’s most notable opera composer since Henry Purcell in the 17th century, Britten is considered by many experts to be the top English-language composer ever. Among his masterpieces is this 1947 comic work in which he shows his considerable gift for parody.
