Opera Cultura presents the Northern California premiere of the bilingual opera Frida by Mexican-American composer Robert Xavier Rodríguez. The highly-regarded opera incorporates music from Mexican folk traditions to tell the dramatic story of the life of Frida Kahlo - one of the most visionary and iconic artists of the twentieth century.
THE STORY
Sung in both Spanish and English, Frida is the story of renowned Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, wife of the country’s great muralist Diego Rivera. Her tortured life unfolds in a flowing succession of scenes. Diegos preoccupation with art and other women shrivel Fridas soul and her demands for love drain him; they need one another desperately. Divorce is imminent. Fridas health deteriorates; only painting permits emotional release, translating her agonies into a series of canvases. Her fate is to live alone, engulfed by pain, but her paintings live forever, reflecting hidden dreams and inspiring courage to transcend conventional boundaries.
This production is supported in part by:
Applied Materials Foundation, the California Arts Council, Castellano Family Foundation, the City of San Jose, Fleishhacker Foundation, Knight Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, SVCreates in partnership with the County of Santa Clara, the Cultura Guild, and Friends of Opera Cultura.
Music by Robert Xavier Rodríguez
Book by Hilary Blecher
Lyrics and Monologues by Migdalia Cruz
Recommended for ages 12 and over