New Works Forum
OPERA America’s New Works Forum is the pre-eminent national convening dedicated to improving the quality and quantity of new American opera.
Since 2011, the forum has brought together individuals from all areas of the field, including producers, composers, librettists, conductors, designers, and publishers, to ask questions and share knowledge about creating and producing new operatic works.
Robust presentations on commissioning, coproducing, storytelling, and technology are paired with live performances of new works and works-in-development. These convivial gatherings have fostered new connections between artists and producers that have resulted in countless fully realized productions on American stages.
The New Works Forum is supported by the Mellon Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, Francis Goelet Charitable Lead Trusts, and the Theodore H. Barth Foundation, Inc.
Wednesday, January 11:
New Works Featured Presentations #1 & #2 — Sarah in the Theatre & Caravana de Mujeres
6:00 p.m. | OPERA America's National Opera Center
Libretto: Laura Barati
Caravana de mujeres: Inspired by a real Spanish matchmaking service that introduces Latina immigrants to rural Spanish farmers, Caravana de mujeres follows Luz, a Colombian immigrant in her 60s, as she searches for love and companionship. On a bus to the countryside, Luz is horrified to learn that her niece, Natalia, has not only booked a trip to the wrong town, but to a place she’s avoided for six years: her ex-fiancé’s hometown. Natalia is shocked to learn that Luz was engaged to farmer Juan Antonio until his mother disapproved of his engagement to an immigrant. Unable to defy his mother, Juan Antonio ended their engagement — but is at that night’s event, hoping to see Luz. As Luz faces the farmer that got away, Natalia is forced to confront her prejudices about her aunt’s aspirations for romantic connection. Caravana de Mujeres is an earnest comedy that examines our very human desire for love and companionship while exploring the social dynamic between Latinx immigrants and native Spaniards.