Cruzar la cara de la luna
by Austin Opera
Feb. 01 - Feb. 04
Thursday, Saturday-Sunday
The first ever mariachi opera, Cruzar la Cara de la Luna/Crossing the Face of the Moon, follows the two families of Laurentino, a Mexican man who has moved to the United States to work, even though that means leaving behind his wife Renata and son Rafael. Although he sends money home, and visits when he can, his choices have tragic consequences for his family left in Michoacán. Decades later, he lies dying. Now an elderly man, cared for by his American son Mark and granddaughter Diana, Laurentino questions the true meaning for him of ‘family’ and ‘home’ after a life straddling two cultures, a life in which he kept so many secrets from those he loved. Even as he draws his final breath, the two strands of his life finally come together in an emotional reunion, and Laurentino perhaps finds the answers he needs to rest peacefully.
Review by Victoria Schwarz for Austin Broadway World, February 4, 2023
Embroidered with the ultimate symbol of migration, the Monarch butterfly, Cruzar is set in Texas and Mexico in both the past and the present. José ‘Pepe’ Martínez’s groundbreaking score blends the unique sound oo Trío Chapultepec (Vincent Pequeño, Israel Alcala, and William Carlton Galvez) with a full opera orchestra in a new orchestration by David Hanlon. Martínez collaborated on the libretto with the eminent writer and stage director, Leonard Foglia, who also wrote the book and directed the premiere production.
Do not miss your opportunity to experience the extraordinary cast bringing this universal story to life this February. Daniel Noyola and Cassandra Zoé Velasco make their Austin Opera and role debuts as the separated spouses, Laurentino and Renata. Veteran Cruzar cast members Efraín Solís and Efraín Corralejo make their Austin Opera debuts as Laurentino’s sons Mark and Rafael. Making her Austin Opera and role debut in the role of Diana, Laurentino’s granddaughter, is Lily Guerrero. Austin Opera Curator of Hispanic and Latinx Programming Claudia Chapa makes her role debut as Lupita alongside Daniel Montenegro who portrays her husband Chucho.
Austin Opera’s Sarah and Ernest Butler Music Director Timothy Myers will conduct this company premiere, collaborating with director David Radamés Toro. Cruzar la Cara de la Luna is the first full-scale opera supported by the Butler Fund for Spanish Programming.
Cruzar la cara de la luna
by José ‘Pepe’ Martínez, Leonard Foglia, David Hanlon
Austin Opera
February 01 - February 04, 2024
February 1 - 4, 2024
Dell Hall, Long Center, Austin
Tickets:
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2024 AT 7:30 P.M.
