 the santa fe opera (sfo) is an american opera company, located  north of santa fe in the u.s. state of new mexico. after creating the opera association of new mexico in 1956, founding director, john crosby, oversaw the building of the first opera house on the new-acquired former guest ranch of . the company has presented operas each summer festival season since july 1957, and is internationally known for introducing new operas as well as for its productions of the standard operatic repertoire. since its inception, the santa fe opera has staged forty-four american and eleven international premieres, and has commissioned ten new operas.the santa fe opera repertory list of commissioned works on santafeopera.org thumb|upright=1.8|the santa fe opera's crosby theatre viewed from the south showing the unusual roof line and how it is supported. the white, sail-like wind baffles (centre, middle distance) are designed to limit rain from entering the theatre. ==general history== thumb|plaque outside the crosby theatre commemorating the contributions of the founding general director, john crosby, and his parents lawrence and aileen john crosby, who was a new york-based conductor, founded the company in 1956, initially with the financial support of his parents who helped in the acquisition of the land and the building of the first opera house. one goal was to give american singers the opportunity to learn and perform new roles while having ample time for rehearsal and preparation in the context of a summer festival situation with the presentation of five operas in repertory. its first season began on 3 july 1957 with a performance of puccini's madama butterfly. crosby remained as general director until 2000, the longest general directorship in us opera history.allan kozinn,"stepping aside at an operatic oasis; founding director of the santa fe opera looks back on 43 years of innovation", the new york times, 6 september 2000 richard gaddes served as the company's general director from 2000 through 2008.craig smith, "sfo to hunt for director's successor". the new mexican, 9 august 2007.{{cite news | url=http://www.playbillarts.com/news/article/6903.html | title=santa fe opera general director submits (eventual) resignation | work=play
1956_establishments_in_New_Mexico American_opera_companies Buildings_and_structures_in_Santa_Fe,_New_Mexico Culture_of_Santa_Fe,_New_Mexico Musical_groups_established_in_1956 Opera_festivals Visitor_attractions_in_Santa_Fe,_New_Mexico