Youth Nights at the Santa Fe Opera

The Santa Fe opera is doing their youth nights again this summer. I went last year because I've ALWAYS wanted to go the Santa Fe Opera and this is an affordable way to do it, plus expose your kids to great music. (I was so impressed, by the way. This opera is world famous and worth going to at least once in your life-time.) Here's the deal- they have two nights that are available for the shows. They're doing "Tosca" Monday June 25th and "The Pearl Fishers" on Tuesday June 26th. (These are dress rehearsals but I couldn't tell that it was one last time- they ran straight through perfectly). The cost is $16 for adults and $8 for kids. Here's a catch- you have to buy tickets in packages (1 adult, 2 kids or 2 adults, 3 kids with extra kid tickets available..... you must bring the kids ages 6+.)You have to buy your tickets over the phone by calling 1-800-280-4654. Plus they offer a free chartered bus ride to and from the ABQ Lowe's on 1-25 at Paseo. (Space is limited and you have to reserve your seats by speaking with the people at the ABQ opera guild at 792-6869 x. 104) The bus I believe leaves ABQ around 5 PM and brings you back around midnight. There are picnic tables up there and we brought a dinner to eat alfresco. There is also a great pre-show talk that is kid friendly that helps them know what the show is about. Also, there are little screens by each seat that translate what they're singing into English. The opera is an open air theater and the shows start at sundown, around 9 PM. There are more details here at http://www.santafeopera.org/communityactivities/youthprograms/youthnights.aspx Advice- read the opera synopses on their website before you choose which one you want to see. My girls LOVED going last year and we're planning on doing the Tuesday show this year if anyone else wants to tag along. Questions? email me at melissa dot lee dot spencer at gmail dot com