The Met Opera debuts Osvaldo Golijov's "Ainadamar," a flamenco-infused opera exploring Federico García Lorca's tragic death and his friendship with Margarita Xirgu. Directed by Deborah Colker, the Spanish-language work highlights Lorca's opposition to fascism, blending dance and electronic rhythms.
The life and death of Spanish poet Federico García Lorca, assassinated by fascist forces during the Spanish Civil War, is the subject of an opera making its Met Opera debut in New York on Tuesday.
Ainadamar, meaning “fountain of tears” in Arabic, brings flamenco and rumba to the Met’s prestigious stage, set against a backdrop of violence and war, in true operatic fashion. Premiered in 2003, this is Argentinian composer Osvaldo Golijov’s only opera, which earned him Grammy accolades in 2007. The three-scene story unfolds through dream-like flashbacks, recounting Lorca’s relationship with Catalan actor and director Margarita Xirgu.
The plot hinges on Xirgu’s memories, opening with her portrayal of Mariana Pineda in Lorca’s play. Her stories, surreal like Lorca’s verse, detail the poet’s opposition to the Falange and his 1936 assassination, driven by his socialist views and homosexuality, all woven into Xirgu’s memories of their friendship.
Speaking to AFP, the 63-year-old Golijov said he believes his work “sounds like it belongs at the Met and can sit at the table with the greats.”
Dance Takes Center Stage
The production marks the first opera directed by Brazilian director and choreographer Deborah Colker, renowned for her work with Cirque du Soleil, who staged it in Scotland in 2022. Dance plays a pivotal role alongside the drama and music, blending traditional opera with electronic sounds and rhythms.
Even the protagonists, such as soprano Angel Blue, who portrays Xirgu, dance. The opera features strong female characters, with Lorca played by Argentine-born mezzo-soprano Daniela Mack.
Mack, who also played Lorca in 2022, noted that the role presents a unique challenge, as “many elements are not necessarily present in a more traditional opera.”
Ainadamar is the latest effort by the Met to attract new audiences and expand its base. It follows last year’s success of Florencia en el Amazonas, making it the second Spanish-language opera staged at the Met in a row.
Colker is set to return in 2026 for a production of another Spanish-language opera, Frida and Diego. The Met has seen particular success with works by living composers, including The Hours and Fire Shut Up In My Bones.
This season opened with Grounded, an exploration of contemporary warfare and technology, set against the backdrop of motherhood.
With AFP
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