Opera Cultura

Información generál

HISTORY

Our programming in the past has included presenting opera, showcasing exceptional performing artists, collaborating with ethnic folk dance artists, and providing performing arts training programs in schools and at various locations throughout San Jose.

Our first presentation was the co production of Armienta’s chamber opera Rio de Mujeres with the Mission Chamber Orchestra in fall of 2008. Since then, we have presented performances at Movimiento de Arte y Cultura (MACLA), the Mexican Heritage Plaza and other venues. In fall of 2010, we worked with local dance artists to explore the theme of death and transcendence across cultures; it culminated in a video production at CreaTV and a live performance at MACLA in December 2010.

With funding from the Silicon Community Foundation, we also provided a composition artist-in-residency program at San Jose High School the same year. In 2011, we produced several projects. They included an opera artist in residency at the Luther Burbank School District, the second annual summer performing arts conservatory program at the Mexican Heritage Plaza, and presented at the Ultima Parada - A Celebration of Life on the Day of the Dead Event at San Jose Women’s club.

In January 2012 , we co - produced Armienta’s musical drama/operetta La Llorona at New York’s Teatro Latea and produced La Llorona in San Jose in fall of 2012. In our 2013 ­ 2014 season, we will be producing our annual summer performing arts conservatory program for youth (ages 12 ­ 18), a fall concert entitled Zarzuela and Beyond, and a community invigorated song cycle opera titled Tales of Pilgrimage (Cuentos de Peregrinacion).

COMPOSER HECTOR ARMIENTA

Hector Armienta, a nationally recognized Mexican American composer, focuses on creating work that explores the Mexican and Mexican-American cultural experience. His awards and commissions include those from Meet the Composer, the NEA, Arts International, Opera Pacific, the Pacific Symphony, two San Francisco Arts Commissions, Oakland East Bay Symphony, and Western Stage Theater. His work for orchestra and theater has received support from three NEA grants in artistic excellence, including a new work for orchestra entitled, Postcards from Mexico.

Currently, he is developing his most ambitious project, a music theater trilogy Aguas Ancestrales/Ancient Waters. The trilogy is based on and inspired by the life of his grandmother, Paula Lopez. The second installment of that trilogy, River of Women/Rio De Mujeres has had three productions so far. Llorona/The Weeping Woman – A Musical Drama, part one of the trilogy, received its world premiere in October 2008 and had its off off Broadway premiere at Latea Theater in January of 2012. He is now embarking on completing the final installment, La Muerte/Death - a full length opera.

EDUCATOR AND RESIDENT ARTIST

Mr. Armienta has been an artist in residence and/or teaching artist for several organizations such Pacific Symphony, Opera Pacific, San Francisco Opera, and others. As part of his mission to provide educational opportunities to young people, he oversees the Opera Cultura Summer Conservatory program and serves as a teaching artist for San Francisco Opera. He also maintains a private piano and composition studio.

UPCOMING PROJECTS
Upcoming projects include Cuentos de Peregrinacion (Tales of Pilgrimage) - A Song Cycle Opera and the Los Angeles premiere of La Llorona.

Mr. Armienta holds a bachelor of music degree from California Institute of the Arts and under the tutelage of Maestro Conrad Susa, received a Masters in Music Composition at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.