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Ainadamar
80
Spanish
Synopsis
The opera is told in reverse in a series of flashbacks, focusing on Margarita Xirgu, a celebrated actress, as she remembers her friendship with the Spanish poet and playwright Federico García Lorca. The story begins in 1969 as Xirgu, now recalling her past, prepares for another performance. The narrative flashes back to a summer evening in 1936 Spain, where Lorca is arrested and executed by Falangist forces for his socialist politics and homosexuality. The opera explores themes of artistic courage, martyrdom, and the power of memory
Composer
Osvaldo Golijov
Lyricist / Librettist / Playwright
David Henry Hwang (libretto)
Year of composition/publication / premiere
2003
Genre
Opera
LGBTQAI+ category
Gay, Queer
Level of centrality
Main character
Characters
Federico García Lorca
Voice type
Mezzo-Soprano
Pronouns
he/him
Publisher / Rights holder
Boosey & Hawkes (Hendon Music)
Where to buy / access the work
The vocal score is available for purchase from sheet music retailers such as Stretta, Offenbach Edition, and Sheet Music Plus
Performance rights
For performance rights, please contact the composer and/or publisher to ensure legal compliance.
Official website
Audio recording(s)
Video performance(s)
Keywords
Osvaldo Golijov, Ainadamar, Fountain of Tears, David Henry Hwang, Federico García Lorca, Margarita Xirgu, Spanish opera, queer opera, contemporary opera, 21st-century, Tanglewood, Santa Fe Opera, Metropolitan Opera, LGBTQ+, Spanish Civil War