DOLORES (2025)
Music by Nicolás Lell Benavides
Libretto by Marella Martin Koch
Drama | Full-Length
7 Lead Singers, 4 Ensemble
The story of activist Dolores Huerta’s bold commitment to civil and workers rights movements against great odds, the pressure of US politics, and the tragedy of assassination. What do we do when our heroes are taken from us? We go on.
¡Sí se puede!
Co-commissioned by West Edge Opera, San Diego Opera, Opera Southwest, and BroadStage, with a rolling premiere beginning in August, 2025.
Dolores Huerta is a legend in the fight for farm workers’ rights. In June of 1968, the movement lost a major ally and Dolores lost a friend when Senator Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated. The opera focuses on Dolores’ struggles, triumphs, and tragedies during some of the most iconic and charged weeks of American history.
Characters
DOLORES, 38; Mezzo-Soprano; Chicano Civil Rights Movement leader and co-Founder and Vice-President of United Farm Workers; strategic, impassioned, tireless
LARRY, 55; Lyric Baritone; Filipino-American labor organizer and Assistant Director of United Farm Workers; disruptive, magnetic, bold
CÉSAR, 41; Bass-Baritone; Chicano Civil Rights Movement leader and co-Founder and President of United Farm Workers; self-sacrificing, soft-spoken, flinty
Senator Robert F. “BOBBY” Kennedy, 42; Tenor; Democratic presidential hopeful and younger brother to assassinated former president John F. Kennedy; charismatic, witty, likable
TRICKY DICK, 50s; Character Tenor; Republican presidential hopeful; ingratiating, manipulative, opportunistic
ETHEL, 40; Soprano; Coloratura Soprano; Bobby’s wife; self-assured, stylish, playful; doubles as HELEN, 40; Soprano; strong, devoted, determined
JUAN, 17; Tenor; immigrant busboy at The Ambassador Hotel; innocent, steadfast, sincere; doubles as JOURNALIST, 25+; Tenor; neutral and professional
FARM WORKER CHORUS
Time and Place
Spring, 1968.
In and around: the fields of Delano, California; downtown streets and hotel suites in Los Angeles, California; and a union hall in Washington, DC.
Anything is possible.
Act 1 Duration: 71 minutes
Act 2 Duration: 52 minutes
Total Duration: 2 hours 3 minutes
Instrumentation
1 Flute (Piccolo)
1 Clarinet in B♭ (Bass Clarinet in B♭)
1 Alto Saxophone
1 Bassoon
1 Horn in F
1 Trumpet in C
1 Trombone
1 Bass Trombone
1 Percussion (3 Timpani, 4.3 Marimba, Vibraphone, Snare Drum, Suspended Cymbal, opt. Splash Cymbal)
1 Piano
1 Electric Guitar (with Distortion Pedal)
Strings (1.1.1.1.1 minimum)
Production photos by Cory Weaver
The development of Dolores has taken place over the course of three years, with a series of milestones built into the process including:
January 2022 | A libretto reading with actors from Campo Santo at The Magic Theatre, led by Sean San Jose.
January 2023 | A piano-vocal workshop of Dolores at The Order of Odd Fellows, led by conductor Mary Chun and dramaturg Karina Gutiérrez.
August 2023 | Preview Performance at The Taube Atrium Theater in San Francisco.
August 2024 | A complete piano vocal workshop at The Oakland Scottish Rite Center.
World premiere in 2025: August 2, 10, and 16 with West Edge Opera in Oakland, CA.
Commissioners & Supporters Include: Steve Fletcher & Carl Croft, Christina & Kenneth Hecht, Terry McKelvey & Heli Roiha, Heidi Munzinger & Jonn Shott, William & Linda Scheiber, Carol Franc Buck Foundation, Alice Ditson Fund, The Fleishhacker Foundation, Sam Mazza Foundation, Phyllis Wattis Foundation, The National Endowment for the Arts, and Zellerbach Foundation.
“...dramatically tight and musically transporting.” “...a masterfully paced thriller” that “keeps the story on the boil...”
“...richly affecting...” with a “...resourceful and wonderfully eclectic score...”
“...an exceedingly timely social commentary on the times we live in...”
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