Zorro comes home when POP presents the Los Angeles premiere of Héctor Armienta’s acclaimed new opera, filled with romance, humor, and suspense. Set in the early 1800s in el pueblo de Los Angeles, still a colony of Spain, this thrilling new work follows the adventures of the Spanish nobleman who hides his true identity behind a black mask to become Zorro, the dashing defender of the poor and enslaved. With a lush score influenced by mariachi, flamenco, and corrido music, Zorro leaps into dashing sword fights and passionate romance while battling tyranny and corruption and defending California’s disenfranchised and indigenous peoples. Presented in English and Spanish with projected supertitles, fully staged with orchestra, costumes, sets, and operatic talent from across the country. Runtime is approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes, with one intermission.

Zorro by Héctor Armienta

San Gabriel Mission Playhouse

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.

EPSG:4326

The Farolitos of Christmas

National Hispanic Cultural Center

Cuentos - created by Héctor Armienta - is a two-part song cycle inspired by interviews with immigrants and farmworkers in Santa Clara County and the surrounding regions.

Cuentos

School of Arts & Culture

Opera San José presents the Northern California premiere of Héctor Armienta’s Zorro. The famed masked vigilante comes alive in this swashbuckling opera filled with romance, humor, and suspense. Set in the early 1800s in el pueblo de Los Angeles, still a colony of Spain, this thrilling new work follows the adventures of the Spanish nobleman who hides his true identity behind a black mask to become Zorro, the dashing defender of the poor and enslaved. With a lush score influenced by mariachi, flamenco, and corrido music, Zorro leaps into dashing sword fights and passionate romance while battling tyranny and corruption and defending California’s disenfranchised and indigenous peoples. Latino stage director David Radamés Toro makes his OSJ debut.

Zorro

California Theatre

The Coyotes & The Rabbits by Héctor Armienta is a one-act bilingual opera inspired by a Mexican Folk tale. Join the Chiquita Banana Sisters in a whimsical adventure where mischief meets life lessons! When Scrawny Coyote discovers that reading is just as important as hunting, he gets tangled up in the sisters' playful tricks against his cousin, Loco Coyote. Dive into this enchanting production that celebrates creativity, friendship, and the power of knowledge—perfect for audiences of all ages! Produced in partnership with San Jose-based Ópera Cultura.

Beyond Downtown

Mesa Arts Center

Arizona Opera

Heard Museum

Arizona Theatre Company

Children's Museum Tucson

A swashbuckling adventure. An epic romance. A timeless tale of vigilante justice. The spirit of revolution ignites in the wildly entertaining Zorro, transformed for the opera stage by Héctor Armienta.

After love awakens him to the plight of the oppressed in early 19th century Los Ángeles, a young man of noble blood dons a black mask to become Zorro—forsaking his birthright to defend the vulnerable against the maniacal mayor and protect the woman he loves, Ana Maria. Will love and justice triumph against tyranny?

A tuneful, Puccini-inspired score and dynamic choreography give this lavish production a cinematic sweep, bursting with Mexican musical influences, flashing blades, and flamenco fire. Come ready for humor, action, and amor—a big, beautiful, and unabashedly lyrical performance with Latin flair.

Héctor Armienta's Zorro

Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre

A new opera 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.

With music and libretto by Héctor Armienta (Zorro, Bless Me, Ultima) and stage direction by John de los Santos (Frida, Before Night Falls), this luminous one-act opera captures the spirit of New Mexico in winter: flickering light, faith, and family that endures.

Héctor Armienta

Events

Upcoming events

10 - 18 Oct, 2026

Héctor Armienta's Zorro · Utah Opera

5 - 6 Dec, 2026

The Farolitos of Christmas · Opera Southwest

Past events

16 - 17 May, 2026

Zorro by Héctor Armienta · Pacific Opera Project

7 - 14 Dec, 2025

The Farolitos of Christmas · Opera Southwest

About

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