Ten years ago this month, the classical music community was shocked by the sudden death of beloved composer Daniel Catán. The loss was most keenly felt in the opera world, where artistic leaders and audiences alike had embraced him and his music with great enthusiasm and respect. Born in Mexico in 1949, Catán went on to earn degrees from prestigious institutions in both the United Kingdom and the United States, including Yale, where he studied with Milton Babbitt. His lush and sumptuous Florencia en el Amazonas was the first Spanish-language opera to be commissioned by a major American company. With his love for opera came a profound understanding of how to write for the human voice, a proficiency that is undoubtedly one of the most important facets of his legacy. His lyrical, romantic operas are not only a pleasure to hear, but a pleasure to sing. Throughout the month of April, we invite you to join Wise Music Classical and artists across Mexico and the United States as we honour his life and his music.
April 7th & 14th 8:00 pm EDT Radio UNAM
Host Ana Lara features the composer on her radio show and podcast Hacia una nueva música on Mexico’s Radio UNAM.
April 8th, 9th & 11th Ópera de Bellas Artes
Mexico’s Ópera de Bellas Artes presents a tribute featuring excerpts from his operas as well as conversations on his life and work. Tune in on Facebook.
April 10th 7:30 pm EDT American Lyric Theater
American Lyric Theater will present a livestreamed concert following a three-part seminar celebrating BIPOC opera composers and librettists. Giovanni’s Aria from La Hija de Rappaccini is on the program.
April 9th & 10th Houston Grand Opera
Houston Grand Opera will present a live radio broadcast of their 2019 production of Florencia en el Amazonas. Listen live on the radio or stream online.
April 24th 8:30 pm EDT Chicago Opera Theater
Chicago Opera Theater presents the fully staged Chicago premiere of La Hija de Rappaccini. It will be available to stream for 72 hours following the premiere.
April 30th Opera America
Rounding out the month of tributes, Opera America presents a special tribute event with a special video presentation and selections from his operas, including La Hija de Rappaccini, Florencia en el Amazonas, Salsipuedes, and Il Postino. Follow our social media for additional information and updates.
Watch Now
The Butler Opera Center at the University of Texas at Austin commissioned the chamber version of La Hija de Rappaccini and the composer was working there in residency when he passed in 2011. Here, current UT Austin student Pei-Chun Wang performs Paula’s Aria from Florencia en el Amazonas.
Pei-Chun Wang performs Paula’s Aria from Florencia en el Amazonas.
For more information, please contact your local Wise Music Promotion Team. See Contact Us.
