A good day for local elementary school and homeschooled kids. We took our ten-year-old daughter to see a sweet one-act version of Donizetti's Don Pasquale at the Lensic Theater this morning, performed by the The Santa Fe Opera's Apprentice Tour Singers. Originally meant by its composer as a mere trifle, the comedic opera's lightheartedness and gaiety seems perfect for kids.The Santa Fe Opera does an extraordinary job of outreach to area elementary school kids and we often attend these events. The singers: soprano Martha Guth, tenor Aaron Blake, baritone David Giuliano, and bass Sam Handley, who was outstanding in the role of the Don.
As for the Lensic, it was built in 1931 by the Boller Brothers of Kansas City originally as a film and vaudeville palace. In 1999 the theater was completely renovated to both preserve its pseudo-Moorish, Spanish Renaissance style. The Lensic Performing Arts Center, as it is now called, seats 504 in the orchestra and 317 in the balcony. Lead photo of Lensic interior by Robert Reck. All others by moi.
