Rasgando el Silencio (Breaking the Silence)

For the fifth and final season of the series Rasgando el Silencio, pianist Carmen Martínez-Pierret and cellist Israel Fausto are the guides who have introduced the audience to the repertory and the musical experience of women composers who, until now, have been unfairly eclipsed.

The new proposal is the first opera by Amy Beach (born Amy Marcy Cheney, 1867-1944), a pioneer North American composer whose enormous talent has begun to be appreciated with works (her Gaelic Symphony is a good example) that are performed with regularity in concert halls.

Cabildo (1932) did not premiere during Amy’s lifetime, and it will be performed here in concert version. Taking place in New Orleans, the opera narrates the story of the pirate and spy Pierre Lafitte who was decisive during the War of 1812 and is set – almost explicitly - to creole music. The twists and turns and melodies create an ambitious score which does justice to its composer and will surely surprise the audience of the Maestranza. By way of an overture, her Piano Trio op.150 (1938) will be played where it is possible to pick out tunes of the Inuit people.

Chamber opera in one act by Amy Beach
Libretto by Nan Bagby Stephens
Premiere on 27 February 1947
First time at the Teatro de la Maestranza