A new production of Osvaldo Golijov's opera Fountain of Tears (Ainadamar), with a libretto by David Henry Hwang, opened April 8 at Detroit Opera. The production, directed by Deborah Colker, is a co-production of Detroit Opera, Opera Ventures, Scottish Opera, Welsh National Opera, and the Metropolitan Opera, and is expected to come to the Met in the 2024-25 season.
The opera, which had its premiere in 2003, is based on the life of poet Federico García Lorca, who was arrested and executed by the Falange during the Spanish Civil War. Mezzo-soprano Daniela Mack plays Lorca, alongside soprano Gabriella Reyes as actress Margarita Xirgu, who starred in Mariana Pineda, one of Lorca's most famous plays. Soprano Vanessa Vasquez plays Xirgu's student Nuria, and flamenco singer Alfredo Tejada plays Ruiz Alonso, the Falangist who arrested Lorca.
A scene from Golijov's Fountain of Teara at Detroit Opera
A scene from Golijov's Fountain of Tears at Detroit Opera
Alfredo Tejada in Fountain of Tears
Alfredo Tejada in Fountain of Tears
A scene from Golijov's Fountain of Tears at Detroit Opera
Gabriella Reyes and Vanessa Vasquez in Fountain of Tears
Gabriella Reyes and Daniela Mack in Fountain of Tears
Gabriella Reyes and Daniela Mack in Fountain of Tears
Isaac Tovar in Fountain of Tears
Julia Ruiz Fernández and Isaac Tovar in Fountain of Tears
Julia Ruiz Fernández and Isaac Tovar in Fountain of Tears
Gabriella Reyes in Fountain of Tears
Gabriella Reyes, Daniela Mack, and Vanessa Vasquez in Fountain of Tears
Adam del Monte and Company in Fountain of Tears
Adam del Monte and Company in Fountain of Tears
Daniela Mack in Fountain of Tears
Daniela Mack in Fountain of Tears
Daniela Mack, Gabriella Reyes, and Vanessa Vasquez in Fountain of Tears
Gabriella Reyes and Company in Fountain of Tears
Vanessa Vasquez and Gabriella Reyes in Fountain of Tears
Golijov's flamenco-infused score is conducted by Antonio Najarro. Director Deborah Colker leads a creative team which includes flamenco choreographer Antonio Najarro, set and costume designer Jon Bausor, projection designer Tal Rosner, lighting designer Paul Keegan, and sound designer Mark Grey.
Performances of Fountain of Tears continue at Detroit Opera through April 16.
