Sunday, September 22, 5-6pm
Teatro Ángela Peralta, Mesones 82
Free

Fireflies Don't Fly, children's opera

José Miguel Delgado, one of Mexico's most talented composers, has written a new children's opera that has been delighting audiences throughout Mexico. Like other excellent models of the children's opera form – think Hansel and Gretel, or Amahl and the Night Visitors – Delgado's work has immediate appeal to adults as well as children of all ages.

His opera, entitled Las luciérnagas no vuelan (Fireflies Don't Fly), with a libretto by Catalina Pereda y Pedro Antonio García, will have its San Miguel premiere this Sunday, September 22, at 5pm, at the Teatro Angela Peralta. The production is underwritten by FONCA (Fondo Nacional para la Cultura y las Artes), roughly the Mexican equivalent of the National Endowment for the Arts.

Because of FONCA's sponsorship, admission is free, and no tickets are required. The doors of the Peralta theater will open at 4:45pm.

Delgado has provided this synopsis of his opera: "In the world of fireflies, nature dictates that only the males can fly, while the females remain earthbound. Lucía, a female firefly who dreams of taking flight, sets on a journey in search for answers, during which she encounters creatures of all types – a queen bee, a fly, a butterfly... and a salamander who will teach her that accepting nature's laws doesn't necessarily mean that she won't be able to fulfil her dream."

Mexico City music critic Rodrigo Barajas Fonseca, reviewing a production of Las luciérnagas no vuelan last March, raved, "Incredible musical atmosphere, with actors who demonstrate great vocal ability."

Click on the photo below for a short promotional video for Las luciérnagas no vuelan.