Farolitos of Christmas

Music by: Héctor Armienta

Libretto by: Héctor Armienta

Based on the Book by: Rudolfo Anaya

Duration: 1 hour

Commissioned by: Opera Southwest

Premiere: Opera Southwest, December, 2025

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Set in New Mexico during WWII, Farolitos of Christmas is a bilingual family opera about Luz, a young girl who keeps her family’s Christmas traditions alive. With music rooted in culture and community, it’s a celebration of love, light, and resilience. The opera is based on Rudolfo Anaya's book of the same title. 

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FORCES

Singers:

Luz  (Leading)  Young teenager - lyric soprano

Reina ( Leading) Young teenager - Mezzo soprano

Belinda (Supporting); Luz’s mother - Soprano

Dolorres  (Supporting); Reina's mother - Mezzo

Papa (Supporting) - Tenor

Abuelo (Supporting) - Baritone

Juan  (Solo bit) Boy 1 - Tenor

Samuel  (Solo bit) Boy 2 - Baritone 

Grocer (Solo bit) could be played by Abuelo (In one scene) - Baritone

Chorus - SATB

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Orchestra:

Flute 1

​Oboe 1

Clarinet in Bb -1

Clarinet in Bb - 2 ( doubles on bass clarinet)

Bassoon 1

Trumpet in C

Horn in F1

Horn in F2

Harp

Percussion ( xylophone, triangle, glockenspiel, chimes, cymbals, toms, bass drum)

Strings ( 6,6,6,4,2)

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