This week has been an absolute crazy week. I World Premiered the Children's Opera, "Lucinda y Las Flores de la Nochebuena" a children's opera about the Mexican Folk Tale on the creation of the Poinsettia. Now don't get me wrong I've been in a few other operas i.e. Albert Herring by Britten and Carmen by Bizet, but this opera was different.
Not only was it written for four of the Vocal Performance Majors here at Fresno State, but the composers worked closely with us and our voice types to fit the opera so well. I mean, how many people can say they premiered an opera and the composer specifically wrote an aria or piece from the opera just for them based on their voice?!
This beauty of an opera was so amazing especially because the success of the opera was based on the children's participation. The children would actively be asked to yell during it or sing to make sure the bad guy (me, ah yes,t the bass stereotype devil) didn't get away with his wrong doings. Honestly, I like children as much as the next person, but I found a real appreciation in this show. The children laughed, sang along and cried with us as we went through the motions of Lucinda finding the beautiful Poinsettia miracle.
Singing were the amazing Alejandra Tejeda as Lucinda, Chrysanthe Pappas as Mama (de Lucinda) Ed Olivarez as Nobody (a character named Nobody yes) and Christopher Rodriguez as Everybody (yes I am named Everybody). This beautiful opera has actually restored my hope in the future generations of children and musicians. At first I wasn't quite sure how the opera would be taken especially as most children don't really see opera as something necessary or important, however, thanks to the wonderful interactions in the show I really believe they all enjoyed it.
The Composer, Evan Mack, and Librettist, Josh McGuire, were an absolute joy to work with and helped us turn this idea into a real life opera. I mean honestly, who ever would have thought premiering an opera at the ripe age of 20 would be a possibility for myself! I just hope we did everyone justice in these last 8 shows and that they continue to flourish!
