In a first for Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, Grammy Award®-winning soprano Ana María Martínez will host a Spanish-language recital in celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month. “Noche Española” will feature performances by Martínez, who is a professor of voice at the Shepherd School, as well as six opera studies students and surprise guests. The production will also include projected images inspired by the musical works and on-screen translations.
“I am so excited for us to bring this all-Spanish program to the Rice community from the Brockman Hall for Opera stage,” Martínez said. “When Dean Matthew Loden first approached me to present an all-Spanish program, I was thrilled and grateful for the opportunity to share repertoire which is dear to me and which I have been privileged to have been listening to since infancy.
Martínez and director of opera studies Joshua Winograde worked together to incorporate voice majors of Hispanic heritage from across the voice studios in this performance
“I think that this perfectly exemplifies our camaraderie as faculty and students at the Shepherd School of Music,” Martínez said. “Many of the students performing in the recital are familiar with the pieces they will be performing, and some of the pieces are new to them — history and innovation, known and discovering, all part of the creative and learning process as students and artists.”
Martínez is renowned for her captivating performances and significant contributions to the world of opera. With a career that spans the globe, Martínez has graced the stages of prestigious venues such as The Metropolitan Opera, Royal Opera House Covent Garden and Teatro Colón. Her repertoire includes iconic roles like Rusalka, Carmen and Mimi in La Bohème. Martínez is also recognized for her leadership roles in the arts, serving as the firstartistic adviser for Houston Grand Opera. Additionally, she engages in diverse artistic endeavors, from voicing characters in Amazon’s “Mozart in the Jungle” to performing at the Kennedy Center Honors.
Beyond the stage, Martínez is a dedicated educator and advocate for young musicians. She offers master classes, judges elite vocal competitions and supports emerging talent through initiatives like the Ana María Martínez Encouragement Award. Her achievements extend to the recording studio, where her work includes Grammy-nominated albums and collaborations with opera superstars such as Plácido Domingo and Andrea Bocelli. Martínez, who grew up in Puerto Rico and New York, holds degrees from the Juilliard School and continues to inspire as a leader and cultural ambassador, contributing to various causes and sharing her wisdom with the next generation of artists.
“I am deeply proud of, and impressed by, each student and how deeply they wish to share their love of this repertoire with the world,” Martínez said. “As we continue to always aim to unite and heal, inspire and empower through the arts, our wish is that this recital be a source of joy and that it ignites curiosity for all the wonderful Spanish music that exists and the music that begs to be written still.”
“Noche Española” will showcase a rich tapestry of Spanish and Latin American music with selections that span various styles and emotions, from the lighthearted to the deeply passionate.
“Ana María Martínez is a true luminary in the world of opera, not only as a performer but also as a guiding force for our students at the Shepherd School,” Winograde said. “‘Noche Española’ is a unique opportunity for our students to collaborate with one of the most celebrated voices of our time, immersing themselves in the rich musical traditions of Spain and Latin America. This recital showcases the incredible range of our students and the profound influence of Spanish and Latin American repertoire on the global operatic stage. It’s an evening that promises to be both educational and inspirational, highlighting the cultural diversity that is central to the art of opera.”
The evening will feature a rich selection of Spanish and Latin American music with Shepherd School students Olivia Gonzales, Gabriel Natal Báez, Lucila Zavala, Rebeca Gonzalez Maldonado, Nidia Guevara-Nolasco and Edmond Rodriguez performing pieces that range from the playful charm of Fernando Obradors’ “Chiquitita la Novia” to the dramatic intensity of Pablo Sorozábal’s “No puede ser.” Click here to learn more about the repertoire.
Free tickets for “Noche Española” Sept. 13 at 7:30 p.m. in Morrison Theater at Brockman Hall for Opera are available here. Seating is general admission.