Panel discussions, lectures and performances illuminate the history and origins of the new opera. Included here is a selection of events which directly linked to the Premiere of Esperanza in August of 2000.
Esperanza is an American original. We begin with a high-profile Latino mineworkers strike in New Mexico in the 1950s; that strike becomes an embattled, blacklisted film; and now the film's story is transformed into a provocative, compelling opera..
The many historical roots of this opera provided occasion for community conversation and public education on issues of Latino-Anglo alliances, feminist initiatives, union organizing, and the history and cultural impact of the blacklist period in this country in the 1950s and 1960s. The following events provided opportunity for community exploration of these issues:
Friday, August 18, 7:30 p.m., Canterbury Bookstore - Professor James Lorence read from and discussed his award-winning book The Suppression of Salt of the Earth.
Saturday, August 19, 2:30 - 10:00 p.m. - a mini-conference concerning Salt of the Earth and Esperanza at the First Unitarian Society Meeting Room, University Bay Drive.
OPERA AND POLITICS: THE ELUSIVE INTERSECTION
2:30 - 5:00 p.m. - Salt of the Earth - Suppression and Celebration
Professor James Lorence (Wausau), author of The Suppression of "Salt of the Earth"
Professor Dionne Espinoza, UW-Madison Chicana/o Studies and Women's Studies
Mark Fraire, President of the Board, Centro Hispano
Moderator: David Newby, President, Wisconsin State AFL-CIO
7:00 - 9:30 p.m. - Political Classical Music and The Making of Esperanza
Dr. Eric Gordon (Los Angeles), biographer of Marc Blitzstein & Earl Robinson
Linda Franklin, Director of Kurt Weill's Lost in the Stars and Community Activist
David Bishop, Composer, Esperanza (New York)
Professor Carlos Morton, Librettist, Esperanza (Los Angeles)
Kathleen McElroy, Manager, Esperanza
Moderator: Professor Robert Skloot, UW-Madison Department of Theater and Drama
Sunday, August 20, 3:00 p.m., Canterbury Bookstore - Professor Carlos Morton, widely published playwright and Esperanza librettist, read from and discussed various of his published plays.
Tuesday, August 22, 7:30 p.m., Canterbury Bookstore - Dr. Eric Gordon, biographer, read from, discussed, and sang some of the music of Marc Blitzstein and Earl Robinson. Dr. Gordon has written biographies of both composers.
Wednesday, August 23 - Wednesday, August 30 - Struggle for Justice, Wisconsin migrant worker union photo exhibit in Music Hall, created by David Giffey and Jesus Salas.
Wednesday, August 23 - Community Night at Esperanza, UW-Madison Music Hall
ESPERANZA DRESS REHEARSALS & RELATED EVENTS - AUGUST 23
7:00 p.m. -- Community Performance (Dress Rehearsal) of Esperanza
9:15 p.m. -- Talkback Panel following Dress Rehearsal
Christine Neumann-Ortiz, Campaign for a Sustainable Milwaukee, Union Organizer, and Community Activist
David Bishop, Composer
Kathleen McElroy, Manager
Moderator: Juan Jose Lopez, Director of Briarpatch, Member of the Madison School Board, Community Activist
PERFORMANCES OF ESPERANZA - AUGUST 25, 26, 28, 30 - 8:00 p.m.
University of Wisconsin - Music Hall
For tickets call 262-2201
MATINEE PERFORMANCES OF SALT OF THE EARTH
The Majestic Theatre
August 25 4:30 p.m., August 26 & 27, 1:30 p.m.
Saturday, August 26, 10:15 p.m., Madison Labor Temple - Community Celebration
of the creation and performances of Esperanza.
1602 S. Park Street
Bring a snack for the snack table.