The striking, state-of-the-art, open-air theater has won several important design awards and is widely recognized for blending contemporary design aesthetics with traditional building materials. It commands a panorama of breathtaking scenery, with the Jemez Mountains to the west and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the east. 1

Audience Seating
Features a dual roof supported by cables attached to a ship's mast

The current theatre opened in 1998 with a seating capacity of 2,128 and an additional 106 standing room places. Every seat and standing room position offers an Opera Titles screen—a digital computer screen on which instantaneous translations in English and Spanish are broadcast.

Stationary and Suspended Roof

The combined area of the sweeping stage and mezzanine roofs covers 26,615 square feet with a clerestory joining the two roofs. The "shape of the sound" inspired the roof concept. Its curves directly follow the acoustic reflections of sound from the stage to the audience. Another advantage of the large roof is its capability to collect rainwater; approximately 60,000 gallons can be stored annually and used to maintain the opera grounds.

Stationary and Suspended Roof