El último sueño de Frida y Diego

March 21. 2026 - April 04. 2026

Swipe

March 21. 2026 - April 04. 2026

- Overview
- Videos
- Photos
- Articles
- Pre-opera talk
- Artists
- Program

How would you spend a single day reunited with lost love? El último sueño de Frida y Diego

On the Day of the Dead, Mexican artist Frida Kahlo crosses over from the underworld for 24 short hours with Diego Rivera, who remains in the living world, alone and grieving her loss.

Lyric Opera of Chicago presents El último sueño de Frida y Diego, which had its critically acclaimed world premiere in 2022 and brings the legendary marriage — and revolutionary art — of Frida and Diego to the stage with vivid colors, surrealist touches, and lush, evocative music sung in Spanish and inspired by Mexican folk music traditions.

Director Lorena Maza and conductor Roberto Kalb invite audiences to join in the couple’s dreamlike journey through their memories of love, passion, and everything they created together.

^{En el Día de Muertos, la artista mexicana Frida Kahlo regresa desde el inframundo durante 24 breves horas para estar con Diego Rivera, quien sigue en el mundo de los vivos, solo y lamentando su pérdida.}

^{Lyric Opera of Chicago presenta El último sueño de Frida y Diego, que tuvo su estreno mundial aclamado por la crítica en 2022 y lleva el legendario matrimonio de Frida y Diego, así como su arte revolucionario, al escenario con colores vivos, toques surrealistas y música exuberante y evocadora cantada en español e inspirada en las tradiciones de la música folclórica de México.}

^{La directora Lorena Maza y el director de orquesta Roberto Kalb invitan al público a unirse al viaje onírico de la pareja a través de sus recuerdos de amor, pasión y todo lo que crearon juntos.}

Language: Sung in Spanish with projected English titles
Running Time: 2 hours and 15 minutes, including 1 intermission
Location: Lyric Opera House
Music by: Gabriela Lena Frank
Libretto by: Nilo Cruz

Videos

Swipe

Director Lorena Maza on "El último sueño de Frida y Diego"

In the world premiere production of El último sueño de Frida y Diego, director Lorena Maza drew inspiration from the art and essence of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera.

Ana María Martínez on the transformative power of El último sueño de Frida y Diego

It's no small feat to portray Catrina, goddess of the underworld, but soprano Ana María Martínez is more than up to the task. See her as the powerful mythic figure who reunites two titans of the art world — Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera — for one final day, in Gabriela Lena Frank and Nilo Cruz's El último sueño de Frida y Diego.

Photos

Swipe

Ana María Martínez as Catrina in *El último sueño de Frida y Diego.*

^{Photo: Cory Weaver}

Alfredo Daza making his Lyric debut as Diego.

^{Photo: Andrew Cioffi}

The Company of *El último sueño de Frida y Diego.*

^{Photo: Cory Weaver}

Key'mon W. Murrah as Leonardo and Daniela Mack as Frida.

^{Photo: Cory Weaver}

Finn Sagal, Daniel Luis Espinal, and Benjamin R Sokol in Lyric's production of *El último sueño de Frida y Diego.*

^{Photo: Cory Weaver}

Articles

Swipe

“El último sueño de Frida y Diego” and the Day of the Dead: Artistic alchemy

“El último sueño de Frida y Diego” derives part of its power from a reverent and imaginative approach to The Day of the Dead, Día de Muertos. Journey to the land of the dead and back in this acclaimed new opera from Gabriela Lena Frank and Nilo Cruz, at Lyric through April 4.

Director's note: Lorena Maza on "El último sueño de Frida y Diego"

"El último sueño de Frida y Diego" contains all the elements of opera at its most powerful: love and loss, desire and suffering, politics and physical pain, the body as territory, gender, diversity, disability, and death. Hear more from the director of its world premiere production and see it onstage at Lyric through April 4.

Take a long look

Explore "The Art of Culture," an exhibit in the Grand Foyer and Mezzanine celebrating Japanese, Mexican, and African American cultural traditions through visual art. The exhibit deepens the connection to Lyric Opera of Chicago productions "Madama Butterfly," "El último sueño de Frida y Diego," and "safronia."

At the midway point of the season, a look ahead at the bold mix of Lyric’s offerings

Coming attractions

At the midway point of the season, a look ahead at the bold mix of Lyric’s offerings

Get to know: Gabriela Lena Frank & Nilo Cruz's "El último sueño de Frida y Diego"

Read about Gabriela Lena Frank and Nilo Cruz’s magical opera, "El último sueño de Frida y Diego," and step into a dream world where true love defies death, March 21-April 4 at Lyric Opera of Chicago.

Terrific trios from Lyric's 2025/26 Season

The upcoming season at Lyric offers a wealth of incredible performances, featuring both exciting new works and timeless classics. With a variety of exceptional productions to choose from, why not create your own perfect trio of performances?

Post show March 29, 2026

Artist Talkback

Immediately after the performance on Sunday, March 29, moderator, Xavier Beteta will lead a conversation with members of the cast: Daniela Mack, Alfredo Daza, Key’mon Murrah, and Ana María Martínez as they discuss journeying to the underworld of El último sueño de Frida y Diego.

March 14 through April 19

The Art of Culture

Explore The Art of Culture, an exhibit in the Grand Foyer and Mezzanine celebrating Japanese, Mexican, and African American cultural traditions through visual art. The exhibit deepens the connection to Lyric Opera of Chicago productions Madama Butterfly, El último sueño de Frida y Diego, and safronia, featuring works by Meredith Stein inspired by geisha culture, Mexican American artist Carina Yepez, and selections from Vanessa Charlot’s Down in the Delta. Arrive early to experience this special showcase that brings cultural history and contemporary artistry into conversation with the stories on stage. Helping to bring this exhibit to life, we are proud to partner with the Floating World Gallery.

Pre-opera talk

Speaker: Xavier Beteta

Join us in the Ardis Krainik Theatre one hour before your opera performance begins for a free, 30-minute preview talk discussing that day’s production.

Seating is unreserved, but a ticket for that day’s performance is required. Talks begin one hour before each performance and doors open approximately 15 minutes before the start of the talks.

Pre-opera talks are supported by Raynette and Ned Boshell.

A recorded version of the Pre-opera talk is available below.

Lyric Opera Commentaries are sponsored by the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Foundation in memory of their parents.