Culminating in an encore performance of “Cumbanchero” with fellow faculty from Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, Ana María Martínez’ “Noche Española” filled Morrison Theater at Brockman Hall for Opera Sept. 13. The Spanish-language recital, a first for the Shepherd School, featured Grammy Award®-winning soprano Martínez collaborating alongside six opera studies students to inspire a deeper appreciation of Spanish and Latin American musical traditions, uniting generations of performers and audiences through the power of music.
The recital featured a variety of performances, from the lighthearted “Chiquitita la Novia” by Fernando Obradors to the intense “No puede ser” by Pablo Sorozábal. Students Olivia Gonzales, Gabriel Natal Báez, Lucila Zavala, Rebeca Gonzalez Maldonado, Nidia Guevara-Nolasco and Edmond Rodriguez brought vibrant interpretations to each piece with projected imagery and on-screen translations enhancing the experience. Bethany Self, principal coach of opera studies, collaborated with all performers on the piano. They were joined by Benjamin Armistead Shepherd Distinguished Professor of Violin Cho-Liang Lin, associate professor of percussion Matthew Strauss (percussion) and Lynette S. Autrey Professor of Double Bass Paul Ellison (double bass), as well as Shepherd School students Michail Thompson (trumpet) for the encore.
Learn about upcoming events at the Shepherd School here.
