Now available across major streaming platforms is a new recording of Florencia en el Amazonas, the beloved opera by composer Daniel Catán and librettist Marcela Fuentes-Berain. Released by Houston Grand Opera, the recording is led by the company's Artistic and Music Director Patrick Summers, and features soprano Ana María Martínez in the title role.
This recording captures HGO’s acclaimed 2019 production of Catán’s opera and showcases the expressive power of the HGO Orchestra under Maestro Summers, alongside the renowned HGO Chorus and a distinguished cast. In addition to Martínez as Florencia Grimaldi, the cast includes soprano Alicia Gianni as Rosalba, tenor Joshua Guerrero as Arcadio, baritone Norman Garrett as Riolobo, mezzo-soprano Nancy Fabiola Herrera as Paula, baritone Thomas Glass as Alvaro, and bass-baritone David Pittsinger as the Captain.
Premiered by HGO in 1996, Florencia is inspired by the magical realism of Gabriel García Márquez. Set aboard a steamboat traveling down the Amazon River, the opera follows the celebrated soprano Florencia Grimaldi as she returns to South America for a final performance while searching for her long-lost love. It was the first major Spanish-language opera commissioned by an American opera company. Since its Houston debut, the work has enjoyed an international performance history and remains a keystone of the company’s repertoire. As noted by Summers, "Florencia as a work of art matters immensely, because we're in a time in which we need to be reminded of magic, beauty, and love. And this opera has all of that."
This Florencia en el Amazonas recording is part of HGO’s expanding commitment to building and sharing its catalogue of recordings of major performances and company-commissioned works. Upcoming releases from the Houston Grand Opera label include the first-ever recording of Missy Mazzoli and Royce Vavrek’s Breaking the Waves.
For more information please contact Peggy Monastra.
