Okay, so I can’t believe that we almost left NM without really talking about or posting pictures of the opera!! Bah… SORRY!!! (I must give credit where credit is due, some of these pictures are from our friends Joe and Megan. She really got wonderful pictures and basically blew mine out of the water so here you go :) There is SO much to tell about the opera house. I’ve been on a few tours, and it really is amazing! The house itself is breathtaking really. The location was originally chosen for its natural acoustics. In the early 1950’s, its founder John Crosby and other men rode their horses down in the foothills and shot pistols to see where the best acoustics were, and that determined where the house was to be. The house is open on both sides as well as directly through the back of the stage. The opera must start after sunset for this reason and many opera goers get there early to watch the amazing New Mexico sunsets before the show begins. I know so many of the singers take the time to sit behind stage and watch it go down as well. The opera house sits on 300 acres of land where it houses the opera Ranch. The Ranch consists of rehearsal space, private lesson and coaching rooms, a cantina where staff and family can come and eat fantastic meals, BEAUTIFUL grounds, and last but not least a pool where family can come anytime to swim. :) Holla!! The tours took you back stage, in the costume shop (AMAZING!!), to where the props and stages were, all the while hearing so much about the high caliber of singers, directors, costume and tech crew and what it takes to be apart of this competitive program. It really does make me SO proud of my wonderful husband for the opportunity to be here for the summer, and the chance for his dreams to be a reality :) We are SO BLESSED!!!!!