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The world-renowned dramatic soprano was last seen on the New Mexico stage in the 2005 Peter Grimes. She made her Santa Fe debut a decade ago singing Ariadne.
Gluck's infrequently-performed work concerns the devotion of Queen Alceste to her dying husband Admete, and how she is rewarded for her sacrifices. Santa Fe's new production makes use of the restructured French-language version, significantly altered by the composer in adapting it from its original Italian. Francisco Negrin, who staged Santa Fe's Agrippina, directs, collaborating with Louis D_sir_, who makes his company debut designing the scenery and costumes.
Brewer is joined onstage by Paul Groves making his company debut as Admete, Wayne Tigges as Hercules, Tom Corbeil as The Infernal God, Nicholas Pallesen as the Herald and High Priest, Aaron Blake as Evandre and Matthew Morris as Apollo.
Alceste runs in repertory (three more times) through Aug. 19. Also currently running is Donizetti's Elixir of Love starring Dimitri Pittas, La Traviata with Natalie Dessay, Lucas Meacham as Don Giovanni and the world premiere of Paul Moravec's The Letter.
For full schedule and ticket purchases, visit Santa Fe Opera.
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All photos by Ken Howard.