Music by: Héctor Armienta
Libretto by: Héctor Armienta
Duration: 1 hour, 45 minutes
Premiere: Opera Southwest, October 2024
Two Corners, composed by B.E. Boykin with libretto by Jarrod Lee, explores the evolving friendship of a Black woman, Florine, and a white woman, Sarah, during the unrest of the Civil Rights movement. Told through a series of flashbacks, Florine and Sarah reflect on their different perspectives of race, friendship, and the status quo.
FORCES
Roles:
Diego de La Vega ( Leading) - Lyric Tenor; Early thirties. Criollo ( Spanish blood but born in New Spain/the Americas. ) In search of his purpose and his destiny. Heir to the de La Vega estate, which is situated close el pueblo Reina de los ´Angeles.
Ana Maria Soza ( Leading) - Lyric Soprano; Early thirties; A mestiza and grandaughter to Toypurina. Revolutionary spirit, who is determined to help the poor and her people.
Octavio Rivera y Moncada (Feature)- Verdi Baritone - Thirties; Peninsular ( Born in Spain but lives in the Americas); Géneral and Alcalde ( Mayor) of Los ´Angeles. Believes in Spanish supremacy and Spanish imperialism.
Carlotta de Obragón ( Leading) - Mezzo Soprano; Late thirties; Born and raised in Sevilla Spain. Daughter of the Governor of alta California. Now living in Los Ángeles. Was once romantically involved with Diego in Sevilla. Wealthy, feels entitled, and secretly still harbors feelings for Diego.
Sergeant José Maria Gomez ( Supporting) - Baritone; Forties; Moncada’s aide, but desperately unhappy. Seeking love.
Luisa (Supporting) - Coloratura Soprano; Late twenties; Servant at the Vega Estate. Not content as a servant and seeking love.
Toypurina (Solo bit) - Mezzo Soprano; Late fifties; Tongva Native American. As a youth, led the revolt against the mission in San Gabriel. Now, she serves as the caretaker of the Vega Estate. She was once Diego’s nanny.
Chorus - ( including Zazueta, Margarita, soldiers, townspeople, the poor)
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
Trombone
Harp
Percussion ( triangle, glockenspiel, chimes, cymbals, toms, bass drum)
Strings ( 6,6,6,4,2)
Guitar
Project Statement
The work is set in the early 1800's, when there was great political upheaval in Spain and México. Inspired by true events in history and based on the pulp fiction character Zorro, a young man returns from Spain to the place of his birth -el pueblo de Los Ángeles. It is there, he will find his destiny and be reunited with a young mestiza he was once forbidden to love.
MEDIA
