Dallas Opera releases Mark Adamo’s 'Becoming Santa Claus' on DVD/Blu-ray
15th September 2017
Karen Almond, Dallas Opera
Drew Jackson, Dallas Edge
Announcing The Dallas Opera's world-wide DVD and Blu-ray release of Mark Adamo's latest critically acclaimed operatic tour-de-force, Becoming Santa Claus. Available starting September 15 for purchase exclusively through CD Baby, Becoming Santa Claus will inspire you to gather the family around your biggest screen and experience a fresh, joyful, holiday-themed tale, brought to life in this sparkling production by director Paul Curran and designer Gary McCann.*
Becoming Santa Claus, from the composer of Little Women, imagines how a spoiled Elf-Prince who values presents over "presence" might have matured into that icon of generosity we know today as Santa Claus. Both the music and libretto for this family-friendly fantasy were created by Adamo and commissioned by The Dallas Opera, which recorded the opera, live in high-definition, at the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House in December of 2015.
Becoming Santa Claus stars mezzo-soprano Jennifer Rivera as the conflicted Queen Sophine, tenor Jonathan Blalock as the troubled Prince Claus, and bass Matt Boehler singing the dual roles of Donkey/Messenger. This lively new work also featured Keith Jameson, Kevin Burdette, and Grammy winners Hila Plitmann and Lucy Schaufer, as a quartet of scheming palace elves.
In an Elven kingdom in the Far, Far North, Prince Claus is expecting his three Uncle Kings to come celebrate his 13th birthday at a party to end all parties; however, a bright star has signaled a momentous birth, and the Kings have, instead, sent regrets and gifts. Claus decides to outdo his uncles and dazzle this newborn with an assortment of the very latest toys — until he discovers the most treasured gift of all.
More information
Commissioned by The Dallas Opera, Becoming Santa Claus was presented in its World Premiere on December 4, 2015, in Dallas Texas. Its DVD/Blu-ray recording and post-production were generously underwritten by Maile Shea.
A wild Christmas gift…a delightfully inventive and over-the-top holiday show that explores Santa’s backstory with wit and whimsy…
Catherine Womack, D Magazine
Listen
NPR Classical: Re-Imagining Santa Claus from Grasping Kid to Avatar of Generosity
Watch
Dallas Opera: Mark Adamo talks about creating Becoming Santa Claus
*Eggnog not included.
