Pasión Latina

The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center presents Pasión Latina

Celebrating music from the Spanish-speaking world with Ana María Martínez & Friends

Celebrate music of the Spanish-speaking world with a free virtual concert starring and hosted by renowned soprano and Lyric favorite Ana María Martínez.

Presented by The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center, Pasión Latina also features prominent Ryan Opera Center alumni—Mexican-American tenor René Barbera, Mexican-American tenor David Portillo, Mexican tenor Mario Rojas, and Mexican-American bass-baritone Richard Ollarsaba—and two current 2020/21 Ryan Opera Center Ensemble members—Mexican soprano Denis Vélez and Puerto Rican baritone Ricardo José Rivera. Members of the Lyric Opera Orchestra will also appear in the concert finale.

These engaging artists will perform a dynamic selection of some of their favorite music from Puerto Rico, Mexico, Cuba, Guatemala, Argentina, and Spain, with piano accompaniment by Ryan Opera Center music director Craig Terry and current Ensemble pianist Chris Reynolds.   

 

  • Language: Performed in Spanish and English with Spanish and English closed captions.
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To hear voices of this caliber, and of such a wide range of approaches, taking on the song together was to be newly admiring of it.”

The Chicago Tribune

A nearly explosive finale... the piece seems to flourish in practically any setting.”

The Chicago Tribune

The songs provided a great deal fun and made a wonderfully energetic farewell for a fabulous evening of song.”

Broadway World

The singing was gorgeous and the accompanists excellent.”

Broadway World

Program notes

Program notes (Notas del programa)

Program notes (Notas del programa)

Welcome to Pasión Latina, a virtual celebration of music from the Spanish-speaking world. This eclectic program includes music that has been personally selected by our artists, and we invite you to explore each piece and get to know the selections better through our program notes.

Bienvenidos a Pasión Latina, una celebración virtual de la música del mundo de habla hispana. Este programa ecléctico incluye música que ha sido seleccionada personalmente por nuestros artistas, y los invitamos a explorar cada pieza y conocer mejor las selecciones a través de las notas de nuestro programa.

Learn more (Más información)

Streaming guide

Streaming guide

For live English or Spanish translations, we recommend turning on closed captions. For more tips and tricks to improve your viewing experience, visit our streaming guide.

Streaming guide

Pasión Latina videos

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“El día que me quieras” with Ana María Martínez and David Portillo

In this beautiful duet from Pasión Latina, soprano Ana María Martínez and tenor David Portillo perform “El día que me quieras” (The Day That You’ll Love Me) by the Argentinian tango master, Carlos Gardel. They are joined by Craig Terry on piano.

En este hermoso dueto de Pasión Latina, la soprano Ana María Martínez y el tenor David Portillo interpretan “El día que me quieras” del maestro del tango argentino, Carlos Gardel. Se les une en el piano Craig Terry.

“La Llorona” with Denis Vélez

Accompanying herself on guitar, first-year Ryan Opera Center soprano Denis Vélez performs “La Llorona” ("The Weeping Woman"), a Mexican folk song based on the legendary story, in Pasión Latina. Young fans may recognize this song from the hit 2017 Disney movie, Coco.

“Volver” with David Portillo

In Pasión Latina, tenor and Ryan Opera Center alumnus David Portillo performs "Volver," ("Return") by the French-Argentinian composer Carlos Gardel with Craig Terry on piano. Gardel's artistry is documented in more than 900 recordings, in particular his famous tango melodies.

Ryan Opera in Conversation: Ana María Martínez with Denis Vélez

Ryan Opera in Conversation: Ana María Martínez with Ricardo José Rivera

Ryan Opera in Conversation: Ana María Martínez with Richard Ollarsaba

Ryan Opera in Conversation: Ana María Martínez with René Barbera

Ryan Opera in Conversation: Ana María Martínez with Mario Rojas

“Carceleras” with Denis Vélez

In this clip from "Pasión Latina," first-year soprano Denis Vélez performs the rapid-fire "Carceleras" ("The Prisoners' Song") from Ruperto Chapí's zarzuela Las hijas del Zebedeo with fellow Ryan Opera Center Ensemble member Chris Reynolds on piano

Ryan Opera in Conversation: Ana María Martínez with David Portillo

Pasión Latina articles

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A Conversation with Ana María Martínez and David Portillo

As host of Pasión Latina, Ana María Martínez sat down with David Portillo to discuss his musical background and why he chose the music he will be performing. Read a short excerpt from their conversation together.

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Spotlight on Ana María Martínez

Puerto-Rican-born soprano Ana María Martínez has been a Lyric favorite since her debut in the 2008/09 Season. Learn more about the Grammy Award-winning soprano's career and take a look back at some of her Lyric highlights in this blog post.

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Meet the artists (Conozca a los artistas)

Also featuring members of the Lyric Opera Orchestra:
También miembros de la Lyric Opera Orchestra:

Robert Hanford, violin (violín)
Ian Hallas, bass (bajo)
William Denton, trumpet (trompeta)
Douglas Waddell, percussion (percusión)
Eric Millstein, percussion (percusión)

 

** Ryan Opera Center alumnus (Exalumno del Ryan Opera Center)
*** Ryan Opera Center Ensemble

Photo: Svetlana Pasedko