World's 1st Mariachi Opera at the Phoenix Symphony Hall

(Phoenix, Ariz) Arizona Opera brings the world’s first mariachi opera to the stage as it kicks off its 2014-2015 Season. Cruzar la Cara de la Luna has become a smash sensation around the globe, blending the passion and artistry of mariachi with the emotionally touching story of a Mexican immigrant family.  Commissioned in celebration of the anniversaries of Mexican Independence and Revolution, Cruzar la Cara de la Luna features the legendary Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán and promises to be an unforgettable night of raw energy, drama and virtuosity.
 
With music written by Jose “Pepe” Martinez, Mariachi Vargas Music Director and books and lyrics by Leonard Foglia, Cruzar la Cara de la Luna will be performed October 10^th and 11^th at 7:30, October 12^th at 2:00 pm in Symphony Hall in Phoenix and October 18^that 7:30 and October 19^th at 2:00 pm in the Tucson Music Hall in Tucson.  
 
Cruzar la Cara de la Luna is sung in Spanish and English with English supertitles. 
  
In the week leading up to the performances, Arizona Opera will host a Hispanic Heritage Festival October 6 – 11 in Phoenix and  Oct 13 – 19 in Tucson including demonstrations, mariachi and folklorico performances, lectures and family events.  (See detailed schedule below.)
  
About Cruzar la Cara de La Luna by Leonard Foglia
Where is home? Is it where we are born? Or where we live most of our lives? Is it with the family we leave behind or with the new ones we create? 
 
To Cross the Face of the Moon / Cruzar la Cara de la Luna follows three generations of a single family, divided by countries and cultures. As a Mexican/American man deals with the approaching death of his father, he is forced to face these questions about his own place in the world – straddling two cultures – as well as that of his immigrant father and his American daughter. As long buried secrets are revealed, he finds himself dramatically re-evaluating his own understanding of what makes a family. Like the Monarch butterflies that migrate every year to the birthplace of his father, the members of the Velasquez family must travel both physically and spiritually between Michoacán and Texas and look deep into their hearts before they learn where they truly belong.
 
CRUZAR LA CARA DE LA LUNA
Music by José “Pepe” Martínez
Lyrics by José “Pepe” Martínez and Leonard Foglia
Book by Leonard Foglia
An HGOco Production of Houston Grand Opera
Commissioned by Houston Grand Opera
Premiered at Houston Grand Opera in September 2010 
 
Cruzar la Cara de la Luna Participating Sponsors
 
Phoenix Performance Information
October 10 & 11 at 7:30pm; October 12 at 2:00pm
Symphony Hall
75 N. 2nd St., Phoenix, AZ  85004
 
Tucson Performance Information
October 18 at 7:30pm; October 19 at 2:30pm
Tucson Music Hall
260 S. Church St., Tucson, AZ  85719
  
Arrive one hour early to attend pre-performance lecture and stay after the performance to meet with cast and creative team to discuss the production.
 
Tickets:  Tickets start at $25 and are on sale at www.azopera.org or by calling 602-266-7464(Phx) or 520-293-4336 (Tuc)