SAMPLE MP3: Opening of La Malinche
Opening text, in Nahuátl:
Nihualchocay nihaulicnotlamati çan nicui canitl huiya tlaca anichuicaz yn toxochiuh ohuaye. Maic nina pantiaz cano ximo huaya, huaye. Nihuallaocoya ohuaya, ohuaye….
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La Malinche [1989]
Mexico, 1519: Moctezuma.faces Cortes. A moment when the Old World faced the New. A moment of pain before one civilisation was toppled by another. A moment when one woman held the key to two doors, two irreconcilable futures. That woman was La Malinche.
Libretto by composer after historical sources, in 4 languages. Premiere 7.7.89, MMTT at London International Opera Festival. dir. Akemi Horie, conducted by the composer.
1 act ca 50 mins; sop ,bar, c-ten, chorus of 6 sops & 4 bars; 1 percussion and 2 trumpets doubling conch shells.
2nd production 1990, dir Caroline Sharman, recorded for BBC Radio 3.
3rd production 1992, dir Caroline Sharman, British Council tour of Mexico included commission of:
Prologue to La Malinche [1992] Tula, ancient Mexico, circa 1000AD. A woman is accused of treason and prostitution. With a God. libretto by composer after a myth. 20 minute work with addition of mezzo and 3 extra percussionists. Recorded on Mexican National TV
How refreshing to encounter a new opera that is about music based on elaborate, demanding and satisfying writing for a chorus of ten...and on genuine ability to write for the voice....an evening of real musical substance. Financial Times
The Modern Music Theatre Troupe, one of the most interesting fringe opera companies in the country today, staged a remarkable new work called La Malinche...its consistency of tone and capacity for sustaining tension over protracted scenes turn out to be the work's greatest strength, and what holds the attention from first to last. Times Educational Supplement
In an age when few composers can still succeed in writing truly original music, Mr Barker has achieved something especially remarkable. Opera
Without doubt Paul Barker's operatic work La Malinche, is a majesterial creation. tr. Diario de Mexico
Maria Huesca as the Woman,
Mexico City, MMTT 1992
