This is the second world premiere opera produced by Fort Worth Opera. The first was Frau Margot by Thomas Pasatieri, which opened in 2007. Jorge Martín is a Cuban composer whose family moved to the U.S. in 1965. He acquired the rights to Cuban poet Reinaldo Arenas’ memoir Before Night Falls and wrote the libretto himself with the help of Dolores M. Koch, who translated the book and knew Arenas personally.

Performed in ENGLISH with projected English translations.
Bass Performance Hall, Fort Worth

story | As Reinaldo Arenas lies dying of AIDS in New York City he remembers his home in Cuba as Fidel Castro takes power. A counter-revolutionary and homosexual, he is prosecuted by the state for having his manuscripts published outside Cuba. After a period of imprisonment and torture, Reinaldo’s friend Lazaro receives permission to leave the country, but Reinaldo must find a way to escape to America. After learning he has a fatal disease, Reinaldo rushes to finish his memoirs and Lazaro stays by his side until the end.

ACT I | 1990: Reinaldo Arenas, internationally acclaimed author, is in the final stages of a deadly disease stemming from AIDS. In his small Manhattan walk-up he is struggling to finish his last work – his memoir. He invokes his Muses, the Sea and the Moon, to inspire him transporting him back in time to Cuba.

1958: Rey recalls his childhood, his friend Pepe, and the fun he had dancing with the other boys of his village. His spinster aunts scold Rey, but his mother comes to his rescue, encouraging him to always remember his home and to have hope for the future. As Rey contemplates all of the changes going on around him, he vows to escape from his tiny inland village to see the wider world by joining Castro’s Revolutionary Army.

New Years Day 1959: The rebels celebrate their victory with their camp leader, Victor. Among them Rey comes to see the brutality that revolutions inspire, especially the violence that happens to people who disagree with the new leaders.

A few years later, in Havana, Rey is studying with the famous writer Ovidio, who has taken Rey under his wing. As counterrevolutionaries and homosexuals, they know they are under surveillance by the state. Ovidio promises to help Rey smuggle his manuscripts out of Cuba, where they have been banned. After a secret reading session, Rey goes back to his room and begins to work, invoking his Muses. Pepe, who has turned informer for the state, is now spying on Rey. In a set-up, he lures Rey to the beach, where they cruise the men, and the police arrest Rey.

Morro Castle: Rey is interrogated by Victor, his former comrade from rebel days. Rey refuses to name those who smuggled his novels abroad, where his work has been acclaimed. Rey is tortured and put in solitary confinement. Finally, he is made to watch Ovidio confess publicly and to name names, including Rey. Devastated, Rey signs an agreement renouncing his homosexuality and swears never to publish his work without the state’s consent.

ACT II |1979: A bus has crashed into the gates of the Peruvian Embassy and Cubans pour into the compound to gain diplomatic immunity and to flee Cuba. Meanwhile, Rey meets Lazaro and they strike up a deep friendship. Rey refuses to see the people who betrayed him and will not listen to Ovidio’s entreaties. Lazaro learns he has just received the papers to leave Cuba through the port of Mariel. Though Lazaro does not want to leave Rey behind in Cuba, Rey encourages him to go. Alone on the street Rey is accosted by Victor, who casually informs him of Ovidio’s suicide. Distraught, Rey considers what he can do to escape Cuba. In a vision, his Muses inspire him to attempt escape as part of the Mariel boatlift. Rey applies for the visa, and at the seaport he has one more inspiration that allows him to escape. Victor, having gotten wind of Rey’s application to leave Cuba, arrives too late. Rey and Lazaro are reunited in the U.S.

Times Square New Years Day 1987: Rey meets Lazaro and tells him he has contracted a fatal virus. In fevered visions he sees Victor taunting him, and he implores Ovidio for time to finish his work.

1990: Rey’s work is done, and he entrusts his memoir to Lazaro, who helps Rey end his life, escaping the humiliations and suffering of a horrible disease. In a final vision, his Muses appear and sing to him as Lazaro scatters his ashes on the ocean.

Reinaldo Arenas | Wes Mason debuting at FWOpera

Baritone Wes Mason debuts next season with Fort Worth Opera in the leading role of Reinaldo Arenas in the world premiere of Jorge Martín’s Before Night Falls. His riveting portrayal in the workshop performance at the Seagle Music Colony prompted the composer and director to cast him in the premiere in Fort Worth – even though he is just now 23 years old. He made his professional debut with Virginia Opera at 19.

Ovidio | Jesus Garcia debuting at FWOpera

With a dynamic stage presence and soaring vocalism, internationally-acclaimed tenor Jesus Garcia has quickly become one of opera’s most sought-after young rising stars. Mr. Garcia is the recipient of numerous awards including a 2003 Tony Award Honor for his work as Rodolfo in Baz Luhrmann’s production of Puccini’s La Bohème on Broadway. He has also been a winner in numerous competitions including Plácido Domingo’s Operalia and the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, among others.

Victor | Seth Mease Carico returning to FWOpera

American bass-baritone Seth Mease Carico is rapidly becoming an important young force in opera. He appeared as Zuniga in Carmen and George Benton in Dead Man Walking for Fort Worth Opera’s 2009 Festival. Summer of 2009 finds Mr. Carico in residence with Lake George Opera, singing the role of the Imperial Commissioner in Madame Butterfly. In 2010 he will also sing Monterone in Nashville Opera’s production of Rigoletto.

Mother/The Sea | Janice Hall returning to FWOpera

Soprano Janice Hall is making her fourth appearance with the Fort Worth Opera, most recently appearing in Angels in America for the 2008 Festival. She has had a distinguished career in the United States and abroad, singing leading roles at Lyric Opera of Chicago, Washington National Opera, New York City Opera, Houston Grand Opera and the Santa Fe Opera Festival.