(Santa Fe, NM) - Let’s get this out of the way: Maria is not a holiday movie. However, it’s an absolute must-watch for anyone familiar with opera. We approached the film with some trepidation, having been warned of its profoundly sad tone. We knew it would be a difficult watch, but given the magnitude of Angelina Jolie’s star power and the glimpses we’d caught in previews, we felt compelled to sit down and experience it. This will be a spoiler-free discussion—just some takeaways from our viewing…

When news of Mark Campbell’s librettist prize with OPERA America hit the internet, I sent him a congratulatory Facebook DM. What ensued was a weeks-long conversation that resulted in the wonderful Q&A below…