Over the next year, El último sueño de Frida y Diego by Gabriela Lena Frank and Nilo Cruz is presented in a landmark series of productions across three leading U.S. opera companies — affirming its place as one of the defining new operas of the 21st century.
March 21 – April 4, 2026, Lyric Opera of Chicago opens their run with mezzo-soprano Daniela Mack as Frida Kahlo, baritone Alfredo Daza as Diego Rivera, and soprano Ana María Martínez as La Catrina. Directed by Lorena Maza, with set design by Jorge Ballina, and conducted by Roberto Kalb, the production brings Frank's vibrant, genre-blending score to Chicago audiences for the very first time.
The opera then receives its company premiere at The Metropolitan Opera, May 14 – June 5, 2026, with mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard starring as Frida opposite baritone Carlos Álvarez as Diego, under the baton of Yannick Nézet-Séguin. The new production is directed and choreographed by Deborah Colker, with set and costume design by Jon Bausor — an entirely original staging that marks a major milestone in the opera's trajectory and a triumphant arrival on one of the world's most celebrated operatic stages.
Seattle Opera closes out this landmark series with its own company premiere of El último sueño, January 16 – 30, 2027. Daniela Mack and Alfredo Daza reprise their celebrated portrayals of Frida and Diego in the Lorena Maza / Jorge Ballina production — the same acclaimed staging seen in Chicago — joined by Mei Gui Zhang as La Catrina, with Carolyn Kuan on the podium.
Beyond the operatic stage, the world premiere recording of Frank and Cruz’ Conquest Requiem was recently released on Naxos American Classics, with Giancarlo Guerrero conducting the Nashville Symphony and soloists Jessica Rivera and Andrew Garland.
As Musical America's 2026 Composer of the Year, Gabriela Lena Frank stands as one of the most singular voices in today's musical landscape. Her distinctive vision continually expands the possibilities of operatic and symphonic repertoire.
Discover more operatic works inspired by the artists, cultures, and histories of the Americas and beyond in our Operas in Concert: The Americas, Latine Culture and History and Operas in Concert: Art's Afterlives collections.
For specific inquiries about this composer, please contact Andrew Stein-Zeller.
