Argentinian composer Osvaldo Golijov’s Grammy Award-winning first opera dramatises the life and work of poet-playwright Federico García Lorca, who was assassinated by fascist forces at the start of the Spanish Civil War for his socialist politics and homosexuality. His story emerges through the memories of Catalan actress Margarita Xirgu, Lorca’s muse, soprano Angel Blue, who reminisces to her student Nuria, portrayed by soprano Elena Villalón. Lorca himself makes a dreamlike appearance, sung as a trouser role by mezzo-soprano Daniela Mack, and flamenco singer Alfredo Tejada completes the principal cast as the Falangist politician Ramón Ruiz Alonso, who arranged Lorca’s execution. Combining features of both an opera and a passion, Ainadamar is conducted by Miguel Harth-Bedoya in his Met debut.
RTÉ lyric fm, Saturday 5th April, 7pm-10pm
