Actress Klea Blackhurt returns to Opera North in its summer production of “Into the Woods” at the Blow-Me-Down Farm, which is part of the Saint-Gaudens National Historic Park in Cornish.
Provided by Opera NorthThere’s still a sense of playful spunk at Blow-Me-Down Farm, where history and entertainment go hand in hand on what was once part of the famous Cornish Artist Colony.
Despite a several-year pandemic and more recently torrential downpours, three summer productions will take place “come hell or high water” at the farm, which is part of the Saint-Gaudens National Historic Park.
This marks Opera North’s 42nd season, and its 10 years of work to create a national park for the arts with the the National Park Service.
This year’s Opera North productions include Offenbach’s “Orpheus in the Underworld,” Verdi’s “Rigoletto” and Sondheim’s “Into the Woods” (with Klea Blackhurst as the witch).
The historic farmhouse sits on the banks of the Connecticut River and was owned by Charles Beaman, the New York lawyer and friend of sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens. Beaman convinced the artist to bring his family to Cornish in 1885.
The Cornish Colony of artists and writers, which was established in the 1890s, followed.
Opera North has been pursuing a long-range plan to restore and rehabilitate the historic farmhouse.
Grants have funded significant repairs to the exterior of the building, including window replacements, roof and foundation work and a new coat of paint (selected to match the original).
As the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance has noted, all work is performed according to the preservation standards of the Department of the Interior.
At the same time, Opera North has made ongoing improvements to the audience experience at the Farm. Under its signature circus tent “Miss Charlotte,” the company has improved its stage lighting and air circulation.
This summer it is investing in luxury bathroom trailers to replace the porta potties.
“Not the most exciting aspects of the Summerfest experience, but definitely designed to make the audience more comfortable,” according to Opera North.
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EDITOR’S NOTE: Blow-Me-Down Farm is located on the west side of Route 12A near the intersection with Saint-Gaudens Road. Plug “364 NH-12A” into GPS.
Opera North’s Summerfest 2024 at the farm includes the spoof “Orpheus in the Underworld,” described by the company as the “hottest party in hell,” on July 11, 12 and 14; Rigoletto,” about a jester’s antics having serious consequences, on July 21, 24 and 27; and “Into the Woods,” where happily ever after comes with a price, from Aug. 1 to 4.
Saint-Gaudens National Historic Park’s buildings, galleries and visitor center will reopen Memorial Day Weekend. Trails are open year-round during daylight hours.
For more information, go to www.nps.gov/saga or call 603-675-2175.
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