Based on a true story, Un Camino De Fe is a story within a story. It opens with a young
Latina high school girl struggling with a writing assignment for a competition. Convinced
that her family history is not interesting enough to tell, she is confronted by her older
brother, who recounts through a series of flashbacks the emotional and difficult challenges
her family faced as immigrants in the United States. Plagued by the Coyote (immigrant
smuggler), the opera’s antagonist, the family grapples with poverty, rejection and
disillusionment, at times finding its only support in the father’s vision and faith. Thanks to
her brother’s inspiring stories, the girl’s pride in her family and heritage is revived.
A Journey of Faith/Un Camino De Fe
(A Bilingual Youth Opera)
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“ A Story about Faith and Holding on to a Dream”
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PERFORMANCE AND COMMISSION HISTORY
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The work was commissioned by Opera Pacific in 1995. It toured throughout Orange County, California. It was
based on a true story by a young girl named Sagrario Gil. Her story was selected out of 108 stories as part of a
story writing contest in Orange County, California. Actor Edward James Olmos was the honorary spokesman for
the project.
Running Time: 45 minutes
Number of Performers: six
Characters: Maricela – A young high school girl (soprano) & mostly non singing role.
She learns from her brother Ricardo about how her family’s journey from
Mexico to the United States. Also doubles as the Virgin of Guadalupe.
Ricardo – Brother (tenor): Plays older brother in the first and last
scene. However, during the flashbacks, he plays a young boy reluctant to
leave his home in Mexico.
Jorge – Father (low baritone): Strong willed and determined to find a better
home for his family.
Elisa – Sister(lyric soprano): Young sister, energetic
Carmela – Mother (mezzo soprano): Like her husband, wants to provide her
children a better life.
Don Coyote III: Coyotes/Smuggler (low baritone): Landlord and
opportunist, preys on the innocent. He also doubles as a truck driver.
Style of music: The music incorporates Mexican style songs (corridos), and traditional
western harmonies and melodies.
Space Requirements: A stage and a piano
Costs for Licensing: To be negotiated, based on the number of performances.
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