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NEW SAN FRANCISCO OPERA CO-COMMISSION
By Gabriela Lena Frank and Nilo CruzJune 13, 17, 22, 25, 30, 2023
Divided in life. United in eternity.
It's been three years since she passed. Now on the Day of the Dead in 1957, a lonely, ailing Diego Rivera makes a final wish: to see his wife Frida Kahlo once more. And the underworld heeds his call.Journey through this bold world of desire and release in a pioneering new opera by Bay Area composer Gabriela Lena Frank and the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Nilo Cruz.
Meet the Cast
Sung in Spanish with English supertitles
Approximately 2 hours including one intermission
Two of the 20th century’s most influential painters are reborn in this new opera, a celebration of Mexican culture that tips its hat to the Orpheus myth and surrealism.
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Read what the press has said about the stars of the production.
"[Daniela Mack] sang with an irresistible combination of tonal luster and bravado, bringing energy and charm to her coloratura passages and delicate wit to her characterization."-San Francisco Chronicle
"[Nilo] Cruz’s words, however, are poetic and poignant, reminiscent of Alice Goodman’s librettos for the John Adams operas 'Nixon in China' and 'The Death of Klinghoffer,' which occupy a dreamy realm between historical fact and ethereal enigma."-New York Times
"[Gabriela Lena Frank] has a highly refined ear, which results in string writing that is exceptionally smooth and idiomatic yet that in its imitation of panpipes and other indigenous instruments bursts with color and fresh individuality."-Los Angeles Times
It’s 1957. Three years have passed since the Diego Rivera lost his wife, artist Frida Kahlo. But on the Day of the Dead, he’ll beg her to return—and the underworld will grant his wish.
Read Complete Synopsis ›
Video SelectionGet a sense of Gabriela Lena Frank and Nilo Cruz's work with this digital short, “The Five Moons of Lorca," produced by LA Opera, based on the life of Spanish playwright Federico García Lorca.
PERFORMANCES
June 13, 17, 22, 25, 30, 2023
* San Francisco Opera Debut
New San Francisco Opera co-commission withSan Diego Opera, Fort Worth Opera, DePauw University, School of Music, and with support from The University of Texas at Austin College of Fine Arts
This production is made possible, in part, by John A. and Cynthia Fry Gunn; and Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem.
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