María de Buenos Aires

×

Expand

Ross Zentner

Laureano Quant, Kelly Guerra and Kirstin Chávez in Madison Opera's production of "María de Buenos Aires."

Laureano Quant, Kelly Guerra and Kirstin Chávez in Madison Opera's production of "María de Buenos Aires."

What if you crossed opera with a tango? Interested? Argentine composer Astor Piazzolla’s 1968 opera María de Buenos Aires features slinky rhythms and adult themes — María is a sex worker, and there is intrigue and sadness as well as romance — in this sometimes surreal tale that follows its heroine into the afterlife. This unusual opera has been growing in popularity and productions over the past few years; this is its Madison Opera premiere, with dancers from Kanopy Dance. It is sung in Spanish with projected English translations. Shows at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 31 and at 2:30 p.m. on Feb. 2.

media release: Madison Opera livens up winter with its first production of María de Buenos Aires, a tango opera by the legendary Argentine composer Astor Piazzolla. A dark, surreal story told through song, poetry, and dance, María de Buenos Aires will have performances on January 31 at 7:30pm and February 2 at 2:30pm in the Capitol Theater.

Born in the slums of Buenos Aires “one day when God was drunk,” title character María turns to the city in a desperate quest for freedom, falling in love with its tango rhythms. In a series of emotional moments, María and those around her reckon with violence, death, and ultimately rebirth.

With music by Astor Piazzolla and libretto by Horacio Ferrer, María de Buenos Aires premiered in 1968 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Its stunning music and unusual story eventually turned it into one of the most-performed Spanish-language pieces in the world.

“I am so thrilled to produce María de Buenos Aires in Madison, as it is one of the most intriguing works we have ever performed,” says Kathryn Smith, Madison Opera’s General Director. “Piazzolla’s sensational music, Ferrer’s beautifully surreal poetry, and the way that opera fuses with dance make it a piece like no other.”

Mezzo Kelly Guerra debuts as María, the title character who “sings a tango no one has ever sung.” Guerra has sung the role with Kentucky Opera, and has also sung with the Metropolitan Opera, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Opera Santa Barbara, and Chautauqua Opera.

Baritone Laureano Quant debuts as El Payador, the other singer in the piece, playing everyone from a poet to a psychoanalyst. Quant is a recent graduate of Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Ryan Opera Center, and has also sung with Wolf Trap Opera, Staatsoper Stuttgart, and Ópera de Colombia.

Kirstin Chávez portrays El Duende, an other-worldly being who tells us the story of María. Chávez has performed the title role in Carmen around the world, from the U.S. to China, Japan, Australia, and Great Britain, and sang at Madison Opera’s Opera in the Park 2006.

Kanopy Dance is an integral part of the production, with choreography by the company’s co-artistic director, Lisa Thurrell, and company members Miye Bishop, Nathan Castro Llanos, Carolyn Fitzgibbons, Hannah King, Maddie Lindbeck, Edward Salas, and Alex Trofka playing saints, sinners, and everything in between. Kanopy was also an

important part of Madison Opera’s production of The Seven Deadly Sins / Trouble in Tahiti in 2023. Also appearing in the production are Marjorie Pan as young María and local artists George Abbott III, Hailey Cohen, Lifan Deng, Kimberly Grez, Eleanor Mayerfeld, and Tyler Stone as the Ensemble.

Frances Rabalais directs this new production, returning to Madison Opera after directing Tosca last season. Kamna Gupta conducts the piece in her Madison Opera debut, along with members of the Madison Symphony Orchestra. The design team for this new production is Katy Fetrow (set), Karen Brown-Larimore (costumes), and Tláloc López-Watermann (lighting).

The opera will be sung and spoken in Spanish, with projected English translations.

Madison Opera's 24/25 season brings our signature theatrical blend of both classic and newer works. From Rossini's comic The Barber of Seville to Piazzolla's striking María de Buenos Aires and Mozart's phenomenal Don Giovanni, this is a season you do not want to miss.

See all three operas for as little as $69 and be guaranteed dates on your calendar for the chance to laugh, the chance to be moved, and above all the chance to feel the human connection that only happens when we share opera together.

Subscriptions may be purchased at madisonopera.org or over the phone at 608-238-8085. To be mailed a physical brochure, please send us an email.

Friday evening performances begin at 7:30 pm

Sunday afternoon performances begin at 2:30 pm