Review: Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, Reunited in Opera
The New York Times • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo, renowned artists with a tumultuous relationship, were united in Gabriela Lena Frank’s opera "El Último Sueño de Frida y Diego," which imagines their reunion and reconciliation in the afterlife.
- The opera, featuring a libretto by Nilo Cruz, premiered at San Diego Opera in 2022 and has since been performed across California before opening in a new production at the Metropolitan Opera.
- The story, inspired by the Orpheus myth, follows Frida guiding Diego to the underworld on the Day of the Dead, exploring themes of love and mortality in a concise, 1 hour and 45-minute performance.
- Composer Gabriela Lena Frank’s music is noted for its storytelling and playful mythology, complemented by Cruz’s libretto, both effectively conveying character and mood with charm and clarity.
- Despite mixed reviews of the latest production’s staging, the opera’s score and narrative have proven resilient and engaging across different interpretations.