The Ballad of Baby Doe is one of the most treasured American operas. Its plot is based on the lives of actual historical figures from Colorado, Horace Tabor and his wife, Elizabeth (“Baby”) Doe Tabor. Memorable arias include the title heroine’s arias “Willow Song” and “Letter Aria,” as well as Horace Tabor’s “Warm as the Autumn Light.”
The opera The Ballad of Baby Doe premiered at the Central City Opera in Colorado in 1956 with Dolores Wilson in the title role. The opera’s New York premiere, directed by Vladimir Rosing, was presented at the New York City Opera in 1958, starring Beverly Sills as Baby Doe Tabor.
Genre: Full-Length Musical, Drama Length: 2 Acts Rating: Appropriate for All Audiences