I've been rethinking the music and story somewhat since the workshop last summer. I'm suppose to have a reading of the entire piece in November, but I'm still stuck on one particular scene.  It's both a sinister and comedic scene.  It's between Antonio (Maria's husband) and the Don Rafael ( a retired general).  It's hard to discuss it without youknowing the story. I tell a unique version of the La Llorona myth. In this work, I try to explain how she came to be  Llorona, how she came to murder her child. In most versions, she is demonized.

Most tell it this way,

"She was a beauitiful Indian woman who was betrayed by her husband. She goes mad with grief and seeks to destroy all that represents her love with him. In the end, she kills her child and forever after, searches the world for the child"

I instead ask the question, what forces brought her to this place. What is predetermined? What is it her fate? I ask the question did she have any choice? Do we have any choice or do the gods determined for us the day we were born?

My Version - Mexico late 19th century.                                                                    She was of the great Xochil people, wedded to the River. When she went with him,  a man of Spanish lineage,  the River felt betrayed and was determined to seek its revenge on her and all of her kind.  It would force her hand and leave her no choice but to sacrafice her only daughter - Sara.  Sara - Sara.