Lighting Designer

The grandest of grand opera is back on the NHCC stage. Michelle Johnson (Turandot 2023 and Lohengrin 2019) returns in the title role, alongside Olivia Vote (Verdi’s Requiem 2025 & Norma 2018 ) as Amneris, Dane Suarez makes his company debut as Radames, OSW favorite Matt Hanscom returns as Amonasro. This new production promises vocal fireworks, stirring choruses, and unforgettable theatrical moments.

EPSG:4326

Aida

National Hispanic Cultural Center

A new opera for families and children based on Rudolfo Anaya’s beloved children’s book, The Farolitos of Christmas, is a heartwarming holiday opera about love, tradition, and the quiet power of invention.

Luz’s father is away at war. Her grandfather is too sick to build the luminarias. So Luz finds a new way to light the path on Christmas Eve, one that will become tradition.

The Farolitos of Christmas

### Event Description: Doña Clementina

**Event:** Doña Clementina  
**Dates:** April 6-13, 2025  
**Location:** National Hispanic Cultural Center, Albuquerque Journal Theatre  

**Overview:**
Opera Southwest proudly presents "Doña Clementina," a captivating opera set to the enchanting music of Luigi Boccherini with a libretto by Ramón de la Cruz. This production promises to be a highlight of the 2024-2025 season, offering audiences a rich blend of dramatic storytelling and exquisite musical composition.

**Creative Team:**
- **Costumer:** Kaylee Silcocks
- **Wigs & Makeup:** Jacqueline Chavez
- **Lighting:** Daniel Chapman
- **Chorus Master:** Aaron Howe

**Additional Information:**
- English translations will be projected above the stage for all performances.
- Piano tuning and preparation are provided by Albuquerque Piano Services.

Join us for an unforgettable evening of opera at the National Hispanic Cultural Center, where the timeless tale of "Doña Clementina" will come to life on stage.

Doña Clementina

National Hispanic Cultural

### Event Description: Llantos 1492

**Event:** World Premiere of "Llantos 1492"  
**Dates:** February 16-23, 2025  
**Location:** National Hispanic Cultural Center, Albuquerque Journal Theatre  
**Presented by:** Opera Southwest

**Overview:**
"Llantos 1492" is a compelling new opera set against the backdrop of the Reconquista and the Spanish Inquisition. This world premiere, composed by Adam Del Monte, weaves a rich tapestry of flamenco and operatic traditions to tell a story of resilience, identity, and ultimate triumph in a time of intolerance.

**Synopsis:**
As the Reconquista draws to a close and the ominous shadow of the Inquisition looms, a lawyer steps forward to defend a village of gitanos (Spanish Romani people) against false accusations. The narrative unfolds through a rigged trial, mystical experiences, a poignant love story, and the harsh realities of exile and execution. The opera highlights the enduring strength of religious and ethnic identity amidst persecution.

**Cast:**
- Youssef Biboldo
- Don Alfonso
- Angela
- Faisal/Juan
- Juez/El Inquisidor
- Javier Ortiz
- Raquel
- Mariano
- Tio Gitano
- David

**Creative Team:**
- **Conductor:** Anthony Barrese
- **Director:** Octavio Cardenas
- **Scenic Designer:** Liliana Duque Piñeiro
- **Costumer:** Kaylee Silcocks
- **Wigs & Makeup:** Jacqueline Chavez
- **Lighting:** Daniel Chapman
- **Chorus Master:** Aaron Howe

**Additional Information:**
- English translations will be projected above the stage for all performances.
- Piano tuning and preparation are provided by Albuquerque Piano Services.

Join us for this powerful and evocative opera that promises to be a highlight of Opera Southwest's 2024-2025 season.

Llantos 1492

### Event Description: Madama Butterfly

**Event:** Madama Butterfly  
**Dates:** October 26 - November 3, 2024  
**Location:** National Hispanic Cultural Center, Journal Theatre, Albuquerque, NM  

**Overview:**
Experience the timeless tragedy of "Madama Butterfly," an opera that has captivated audiences for over a century with its poignant tale of love, loyalty, and heartbreak. Composed by Giacomo Puccini with a libretto by Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica, this masterpiece continues to enchant with its soaring music and emotional depth.

**Highlights:**
- **Music:** Giacomo Puccini
- **Libretto:** Giuseppe Giacosa & Luigi Illica
- **Language:** Sung in Italian with English translations projected above the stage
- **Notable Aria:** The opera is renowned for its exquisite arias for sopranos, particularly the long, varied love duet that concludes Act I, which many Puccini fans consider his greatest work. The melodies are beautifully tinged with a sense of foreboding, as the protagonist, Butterfly, fears her happiness is too immense to last.

**Cast:**
- **Cio-Cio-San**
- **Pinkerton**
- **Sharpless**

**Creative Team:**
- **Conductor:** [Name]
- **Director:** [Name]
- **Scenic Designer:** [Name]
- **Costumer:** [Name]
- **Wigs & Makeup:** Kaylee Silcocks
- **Lighting:** Jacqueline Chavez
- **Chorus Master:** Aaron Howe

**Additional Information:**
- **Piano Tuning and Preparation:** Provided by Albuquerque Piano Services
- **Running Time:** [Duration]

Join us for an unforgettable evening at the opera, where Puccini's "Madama Butterfly" will transport you through a powerful narrative underscored by some of the most beautiful music ever composed. Secure your tickets now and be part of this extraordinary cultural experience.

Madama Butterfly

One of the Most Famous Operas of All Time: En Español

In the sultry heat of Seville, Carmen bewitches all who cross her path – even Corporal Don José. He soon falls under her beguiling spell, abandoning his life in the military. A fiery love triangle ignites as the famed bullfighter Escamillo vies for Carmen’s affections. Micaëla, Don José’s childhood sweetheart, strives to win him back, but destiny’s die is cast.

Carmen

Jorge Martín’s Before Night Falls" class="css-u850">Before Night Falls is based on the autobiography of Reinaldo Arenas (which has also been made into a major motion picture starring Javier Bardem). Reinaldo experienced childhood poverty, joy in nature, a stint with the guerillas, international acclaim as a writer, imprisonment as a political dissident (and unapologetically gay man), a daring escape from Cuba, and exile in the U.S. Arenas is determined to stave off death to finish his memoir “Before Night Falls.” The book was published posthumously to great acclaim in 1993.  

Before Night Falls

A sweeping Biblical epic rarely heard in the United States. This visually arresting production features Justin Hopkins (Bluebeard 2023 & Norma 2018) as Mosè and Ashley Milanese in her company debut as Elcia. Expect dramatic storms, plagues, and miracles, set to some of Rossini’s most powerful writing. It’s as if The Ten Commandments were an opera!

Lighting Designer

Daniel Chapman

Events

Upcoming events

19 - 26 Apr, 2026

Mosè in Egitto · Opera Southwest

Past events

Feb 22 - Mar 1, 2026

Aida · Opera Southwest

7 - 14 Dec, 2025

The Farolitos of Christmas · Opera Southwest

About

Daniel Chapman hasn't added a bio