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Los Bufones: A World Premiere

  • National Hispanic Cultural Center 1704 4th Street Southwest Albuquerque, NM, 87102 United States (map)

Los Bufones: A World Premiere Brings Velázquez’ Paintings to Musical Life

ALBUQUERQUE  –  The world premiere of Los Bufones, an innovative new song cycle for theatre, will run from January 19-22 at the National Hispanic Cultural Center as part of the NHCC’s Siembra: Latino Theatre Season

Based on Diego Velázquez’ mesmerizing paintings of jesters and dwarfs at the court of Philip IV of Spain, Los Bufones brings to life these fascinating individuals—comedians and outcasts, confidantes and spies—in a richly melodic work, sung in Spanish with English supertitles. 
 
For the King’s Bufones, who are both adored and hated in the world of the court, each day means striving for balance in a web of intrigues and ambitions. In musical solos and ensembles, they reveal their personal lives as intimates of the royal family, as well as their privileged perspective on the crumbling order, splendor, and decadence of mid-seventeenth century Spain at the end of its Golden Era.

Los Bufones, with music and libretto by Ron Strauss, Spanish version by María Cristina López, and stage direction by Jean Moss, is produced in collaboration with Santa Fe's Teatro Paraguas. The work features sopranos Ingela Onstad and Christina Martos, tenors Sam Shepperson and André García-Nuthmann, and baritones Michael Hix and Carlos Archuleta. Kristin Ditlow conducts, with Megan Holland on violin, Joel Becktell on cello, and Debra Ayers on piano.

The National Hispanic Cultural Center is dedicated to the preservation, promotion, and advancement of Hispanic culture, arts, and humanities, and is a division of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs. 

Performances

Thursday • January 19 • 7:30 p.m.
Friday • January 20 • 7:30 p.m.
Saturday • January 21 • 7:30 p.m.
Sunday • January 22 • 2:00 p.m.

Tickets

Performances are in the Albuquerque Journal Theatre. Tickets are $12, $17, and $22, with a $2 discount for students, seniors, and NHCC members, and are available from the NHCC Box Office, at 505.724.4771, or at nhccnm.org.

Earlier Event: January 21
Antonio Mares Tribute at Teatro Paraguas
Later Event: January 22
Los Bufones: A World Premiere