A Journey of Faith/Un Camino De Fe (1993)

A Story about Faith and Holding on to a Dream

A Youth Opera (commissioned by Opera Pacific)

Based on a true story, Un Camino De Fe is a story within a story. It opens with a young Latina high school girl struggling with a writing assignment for a competition. Convinced that her family history is not interesting enough to tell, she is confronted by her older brother, who recounts through a series of flashbacks the emotional and difficult challenges her family faced as immigrants in the United States. Plagued by the Coyote (immigrant smuggler), the opera’s antagonist, the family grapples with poverty, rejection and disillusionment, at times finding its only support in the father’s vision and faith. Thanks to her brother’s inspiring stories, the girl’s pride in her family and heritage is revived.

Videos

Production Details

Runtime

45 minutes

Number of Performers:

Six

Characters:

Maricela - A young high school girl (soprano) & mostly non singing role. She learns from her brother Ricardo about how her family's journey from Mexico to the United States. Also doubles as the Virgin of Guadalupe.

Ricardo - Brother (tenor): Plays older brother in the first and last scene. However, during the flashbacks, he plays a young boy reluctant to leave his home in Mexico.

Jorge - Father (low baritone): Strong willed and determined to find a better home for his family.

Elisa - Sister(lyric soprano): Young sister, energetic

Carmela - Mother (mezzo soprano): Like her husband, wants to provide her children a better life.

Don Coyote III: Coyotes/Smuggler (low baritone): Landlord and opportunist, preys on the innocent. He also doubles as a truck driver.

Style of music:

The music incorporates Mexican style songs (corridos), and traditional western harmonies and melodies.

Space Requirements:

A stage and a piano