Santa Fe Opera and Road Scholar
Scroll down for info on the Santa Fe Opera’s Opera Basics series and pre-show Prelude Talks, and Road Scholar’s Opera Extravaganza programs. These programs are presented by the organizations listed.
Oliver Prezant
Alexis Corbin
OPERA BASICS
The Santa Fe Opera’s Season Preview Series
in Santa Fe and Placitas, April–June, 2026
with Oliver Prezant, Kevin Vigneau
and Alexis Corbin
Wondering how plot, character, music, costumes, props, staging, and lighting go together to make Opera magic? Join us in Santa Fe or Placitas to deepen your experience and understanding of opera with Opera Basics!
Opera Basics is a series of five free, informative talks that will introduce you to the building blocks of opera while previewing the five productions of the Santa Fe Opera's 2026 Season.
This season, the series will feature Oliver Prezant and two new presenters: Oboist and UNM faculty member Kevin Vigneau, who will be speaking on Handel’s Rodelinda, and KHFM radio host Alexis Corbin, who will be speaking about Picket’s Lili Elbe.
In Santa Fe: Five Tuesday Evenings from 6–7:30 p.m.
In Placitas: Five Saturday Afternoons from 2–3:30 p.m.*
*Presented in partnership with the Placitas Artist Series
Madama Butterfly by Giacomo Puccini with Oliver Prezant
Santa Fe: Tuesday, April 7, from 6 – 7:30 pm
Placitas: Saturday, April 11, from 2 – 3:30 pm
The Magic Flute by W. A. Mozart with Oliver Prezant
Santa Fe: Tuesday, April 21, from 6 – 7:30 pm
Placitas: Saturday, April 25, from 2 – 3:30 pm
Eugene Onegin by Pyotr llyich Tchaikovsky with Oliver Prezant
Santa Fe: Tuesday, May 5, from 6 – 7:30 pm
Placitas: Saturday, May 2, from 2 – 3:30 pm
Rodelinda by George Frideric Handel with Kevin Vigneau
Santa Fe: Tuesday, May 19, from 6 – 7:30 pm
Placitas: Saturday, May 23, from 2 – 3:30 pm
Lili Elbe by Tobias Picker with Alexis Corbin
Santa Fe: Tuesday, June 2, from 6 – 7:30 pm
Placitas: Saturday, June 6, from 2 – 3:30 pm
ADMISSION IS FREE
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED
Seating is first come, first served.
For more information click the link:
Opera Basics is a presentation of the Santa Fe Opera.
Santa Fe Opera Prelude Talks
with Oliver Prezant,
Kevin Vigneau, and Alexis Corbin
July 4* - August 29, 2026
GET YOURSELF READY for the incredible productions of the Santa Fe Opera’s 2026 Season, with lively, informative, interactive Prelude Talks presented before each performance.* Whether you’re new to opera or a seasoned opera-goer, these 30-minute talks will take you inside the opera and the production to help you get the most out of your evening in the opera house.
Please note: this season Oliver will be covering three operas:
Madama Butterfly by Giacomo Puccini
The Magic Flute by W. A. Mozart
Eugene Onegin by Pyotr llyich Tchaikovsky
Two new presenters will be joining the roster:
Kevin Vigneau will be presenting talks on
Rodelinda by George Frideric Handel
Alexis Corbin will be presenting talks on
Lili Elbe by Tobias Picker
IMPORTANT INFO: There are TWO 30-minute talks in Stieren Orchestra Hall each evening: two hours and one hour before the performance.* These talks are provided for ticket holders and are free with your ticket. Seating is limited. For best seating availability, try the talk two hours before the performance.
*EXCEPTIONS: Prelude Talks are not offered on Friday, July 3 (opening night) or before the Apprentice Scenes on August 16 and 23.
Prelude Talks are presentations of The Santa Fe Opera.
For more information and tickets for the 2026 season, click the link below:
Road Scholar Opera Extravaganza:
The Santa Fe Opera Festival Season!
Three six-day seminars, starting on August 3, and August 10, and August 17, 2026.
Enjoy previews and post-performance discussions with Oliver and opera enthusiasts from the all over the country, as we explore the operas of the Santa Fe Opera’s 2026 Festival Season in depth and attend performances of all five productions. Over the course of the six-day seminar, you’ll have a chance to find your way into the workings of each opera: the plot, characters, and source material, as well as the language, libretto, and the music. Along the way, we’ll explore the art of the singers, conductor, director, and designers, and the elements of the production.
Opera Extravaganza seminars are presented by Road Scholar. For more information, click the link below:
Photo credits: Signage at the Santa Fe Opera, photo courtesy of Opus OP LLC, used by arrangement with the Santa Fe Opera. Oliver Prezant, Prelude Talks at the Santa Fe Opera and headshot, photos by Ruthanne Greeley. Radio Host Alexis Corbin: Brooke Bailey. Footer: Oliver Prezant, Prelude Talk at the Santa Fe Opera, photo by Ruthanne Greeley.