"Sosa’s music, conducted by Maria Sensi Sellner, flowed naturally with the rhythms of speech; in one gorgeous duet early in the opera, the two main characters reminisce on the divergent lessons their mothers gave them about how to behave in their new country.
Zoë Madonna, The Boston Globe
Review of "I Am A Dreamer Who No Longer Dreams"
I Am A Dreamer Who No Longer Dreams (2019)
Opera commissioned by White Snake Projects, Libretto by Cerise Jacobs.
Performance History:
2019, Premiere by White Snake Projects, Boston, MA
2022, Resonance Works, Pittsburgh, PA
2023, Tri-Cities Opera, Binghamton, NY
2023, Syracuse Opera, Syracuse, NY
Performing Forces:
Rosa, Mezzo-soprano, Singa, Soprano, Prosecutor/Mother/Gangster, Soprano, Young Rosa, Child Alto or Soubrette, Young Singa, Child Soprano or Soubrette
Optional Children’s Chorus (S,A)
Reduced Orchestra: Violin I, Violin II, cello, bass, piano, percussion.
Expanded Orchestration:
Violin I, Violin II, Viola, Cello, Bass, Piano, Percussion, Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Trumpet, Trombone. Expanded orchestration commissioned by Resonance Works.
Duration: 90 minutes
Language: English
Publisher: Jorge Sosa Music
Synopsis:
Rosa, an immigration activist, is arrested in a protest and charged with felony murder when arson erupted and a firefighter died. Singa, Rosa’s court appointed attorney is the opposite of Rosa. Part of the “model minority,” she is dominated by her father and always conforms to societal expectations.
Rosa is trapped. If she rats on her fellow activists, the State will release her and deport her. If she refuses, she’ll remained locked up. As deportation becomes a reality, she agonizes over whether she would take her daughter back to Mexico or leave her in America in hopes of a better life. But who would look after her?
For licensing information please contact me. Score available through my online store.
Maria Sensi Sellner- Conductor, Elena Araoz- Director, Carla López-Speziale- Rosa, Helen Zhibing Huang- Singa, Kirsten Arnold Mother/Gangster/Prosecutor, Isis Contreras Perez- Child Rosa, Amy Li- Child Singa. Boston Children's Chorus (BCC)- Chorus, Juventas New Music Ensemble-
Scene 1 and Rosa's Aria
Yong Yuan's Aria
"Sosa’s composition is well-balanced to the story’s narrative, and his vocal writing aroused strong emotional peaks and valleys, magnified by the characters’ impassioned performances. "
Kevin Baldwin, I Care if You Listen
Review of "I Am A Dreamer Who No Longer Dreams"
The Prosecutor Scene