Lyric Opera to go from Mozart to mariachi

Tue Oct 23, 2012 at 10:50 am

By Lawrence A. Johnson

Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán. Photo: Steve Jennings

The Lyric Opera of Chicago will present the Chicago premiere of Cruzar la Cara de la Luna, the world’s first “mariachi opera” in April of next year.

Composed by José “Pepe” Martínez, music director of the Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán, Cruzar la Cara de la Luna (To Cross the Face of the Moon) was commissioned and premiered by Houston Grand Opera in 2010 during Lyric Opera general director’s Anthony Freud’s tenure there to mark the year’s Mexican anniversaries of independence and revolution.

“The opera is real mariachi,” said Freud in a statement released by the company on Monday. “It encompasses nearly every classic rhythmic and stylistic structure of mariachi.” The opera follows three generations of the Velásquez family “as they confront questions of national and personal identity.”

The opera will star Mexican mezzo-soprano Cecilia Duarte who created the role of Renata in Houston and feature Martinez’s Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán.

In addition to the April 7 performance at the Civic Opera House, additional performances will be mounted at the Benito Juarez Community Academy and the Gennesee Theatre in Waukegan.

The presentation is part of Lyric Unlimited, the company’s community outreach initiative.
lyricopera.org

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One Response to “Lyric Opera to go from Mozart to mariachi”

  1. Posted Oct 26, 2012 at 9:26 pm by ARMANDO

    This is great, this event will make history in Chicago, If it is possible please let me know when tickets are available.

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