Famous Spanish-language opera airs in Whitefish

Whitefish Theatre Company, in collaboration with the Whitefish Arts Council and the Whitefish Performing Arts Center, presents Mexican composer Daniel Catán’s opera “Florencia en el Amazonas” as part of the 2023-2024 live streaming season of the Metropolitan Opera Live in HD. 

This spellbinding and romantic opera will be shown on Saturday, Dec. 9 at 10:55 a.m. at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center. Approximate run time is 2 hours and 30 minutes, including one 30-minute intermission. Tickets are sold only at the door which will open at 10:30 a.m. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students, paid by cash or check only. 

One of the most famous Spanish-language operas, “Florencia en el Amazonas” tells the enchanting story of glamorous diva, Florencia Grimaldi. Florencia is headed to Manaus to perform at its opera house, while also hoping to reunite with her lover who vanished long ago in the Amazonian rainforest. Inspired by the magical realism of writer Gabriel García Márquez, this Met premiere is perfect for those new to the opera as it is filled with “glorious music, richly evocative lyrics, waterborne dreams and nightmares, and classic heartbreak.”

The story begins in the early 1900s in the Amazon rainforest as passengers aboard the steamboat El Dorado are traveling to hear the legendary but intensely private opera singer Florencia Grimaldi sing at the reopening of the theater in Manaus. Riolobo, a mystical character who can assume many forms, introduces the embarking passengers: Paula and Alvaro, a middle-aged couple attempting to rekindle their marriage; Rosalba, a journalist researching a biography on Grimaldi; and Florencia herself, travelling alone and incognito, harboring a burning desire to find her long-lost lover Cristóbal, a butterfly hunter, whose love unlocked her staggering powers of musical expression.

En route, Rosalba accidentally drops her research notes overboard. The captain’s nephew, Arcadio, manages to rescue them, and the pair becomes aware of a strong mutual attraction. The evening concludes as Paula and Alvaro’s attempt at a romantic dinner dissolves into a bitter quarrel. Initially unaware of her identity, the captain tells Florencia of the fate of Cristóbal, who disappeared without trace in the jungle, thus dashing her dearest ambition. As a heated card game brings out the contrasting sexual and hostile tensions between Rosalba and Arcadio and Paula and Alvaro, a violent storm brews outside. Trying to save the ship from being crushed, Alvaro is swept overboard. The captain is knocked unconscious, and despite Arcadio’s efforts at the helm, the ship runs aground.

In Act II, Paula mourns the loss of Alvaro, realizing that it was pride — not lack of love — that stood between them. Riolobo appears again mysteriously to return Alvaro to the ship, claiming that Paula’s laments saved him from death. Rosalba, distraught that her notebook has been ruined in the storm, talks to the incognito Florencia about her research, resulting in Florencia’s passionate declaration that her musical gift was a result of her love for Cristóbal. Rosalba realizes that she is talking to her heroine and, hearing her story, decides her own love for Arcadio shouldn’t be suppressed. To Rosalba’s joy and relief, Arcadio reciprocates her feelings. Paula and Alvaro have also rediscovered their joy and love for each other.

At last, the El Dorado reaches Manaus, only to learn that cholera has struck the town and the passengers dare not disembark. As the opera’s closing scene develops, Florencia laments her loss of Cristóbal, but as she dreams of finding him, her spirit drifts towards his in the mystical transformation of a butterfly.  

The Met premiere stars soprano Ailyn Pérez as Florencia Grimaldi, with Yannick Nézet-Séguin on the podium to lead a spellbinding new production by Mary Zimmerman that brings the mysterious and magical realm of the Amazon to the Met stage. A distinguished ensemble of artists portray the diva’s fellow travelers, including soprano Gabriella Reyes as the journalist Rosalba, bass-baritone Greer Grimsley as the ship’s captain, baritone Mattia Olivieri as his enigmatic first mate, tenor Mario Chang as the captain’s nephew Arcadio, and mezzo-soprano Nancy Fabiola Herrera and baritone Michael Chioldi as the feuding couple Paula and Alvaro. The opera is hosted by Rolando Villazón who will offer exclusive behind-the-scenes content and cast interviews.

Food and beverages will be available for purchase during the performance. Visit  www.whitefishtheatreco.org or call 406-862-5371 for more information.