Composer Hector Armienta's Musical Drama - La Llorona
This weekend, Opera Cultura, the only Latinx focused opera company in the country, will present it in San Jose at the Mexican Heritage Theater - School of Arts and Culture June 28th - 30th.
Photo Aléxa Anderson
First produced in 2008 by Western Stage Theater in Salinas California, his Musical Drama, La Llorona, has had sold out productions in California, New York, and will have its Mexican Premiere in Jalisco México on November 2nd, 2019. This weekend, Opera Cultura, the only Latinx focused opera company in the country, will present it in San Jose at the Mexican Heritage Theater - School of Arts and Culture June 28th - 30th.
Anthony Ruiz Photography
Mr Armienta talks about the genesis for creating this work;
" La Llorona is part of a trilogy titled - Aguas Ancestrales. The cuento of La Llorona is a story that speaks to so many of us in the Mexican and Mexican American community. For some, it is a story that we grew up with as children. While popular media has exploited the story and focused on the horror element, her story is more than that. It is about her tragedy. It is about what would compel a mother to kill and drown her children. I also wanted to explore the question of fate and whether or not we are truly in control of that. Part of the development of this story took me to México in 2004 to explore the many versions of this legend. After that trip, I decide to incorporate some of the Mayan mythology and set the work in the late 19th century.
My hope is that those that come to see my tale of La Llorona, will come away with a deeper understanding of who she is and the power that her story holds on all of us"
