Updates on our new chamber opera by composer Ethan Gans-Morse and Librettist Tiziana DellaRovere

Click an image to see captions and full-sized photos. CLICK HERE for a ZIP file of the full photo shoot.
REQUIRED ATTRIBUTION: Photography by Chava Florendo. Courtesy of Anima Mundi Productions.

Scenic design conceptualized by Joe C. Klug with tech direction by Drew Bangs.
All scenic artwork was realized and directed by Tiziana DellaRovere.

On August 1-7, we gathered in Camelot Theatre in Talent, Oregon, to film a video production of our new immigration-themed chamber opera Dreams Have No Borders. Our plan is to premiere the opera in a movie theater screening as soon as it’s safe to gather indoors, and we’ll also release it online via pay-per-view. We’ll be in touch in the weeks ahead through our email Newsletter with updates on this production and the fast-developing Covid situation in Southern Oregon.

Back row L to R: Jannie Wei, Wyatt True, Seth Biagini, Ethan Gans-Morse, Estelí Gomez, David M. Sanchez, Cecilia Duarte, Sean McCoy, Shawn Ramagos, Nick Alexander
Front row (kneeling): Kimberlee Uwate, Tiziana DellaRovere, Valerie Rachelle, Isabella Cervantes, Eveling Alexander

Cast Profiles

Estelí Gomez (soprano), plays Marisol, a young Mexican mother fleeing cartel violence to reunite with her older sister, Rosario, in the United States. Praised for her “clear, bright voice” by The New York Times, Estelí has performed on two Grammy Award-winning recordings and is widely recognized as a stylish interpreter of early and contemporary repertoires.

Cecilia Duarte (mezzo soprano), plays Rosario, Marisol’s older sister whose strength and constant love nurtures her sister along her journey. A soloist on the Grammy-Winning album Duruflé: The Complete Choral Works, Cecilia has been praised by The New York Times as “A creamy voiced mezzo-soprano.”

David M. Sanchez (tenor), plays Gabrielito, a young Honduran fleeing the loss of his family’s farmland which has been seized by an alliance of organized crime, corrupt politicians, and dangerous oligarchs who are destroying rainforest land to grow palm oil. David appears on the Grammy-winning Met Opera recording of Porgy and Bess and has been called “A very vigorous, exuberant tenor” by Classics Today.

Danza Azteca Teokalli is a Bay Area-based professional Aztec dance troupe led by Alvaro Kepokamaztli Tellez. We were honored to have them perform the powerful ritual dance of Huitzilopochtli in the role of Marisol’s ancestors in this production.

Considered “the state’s finest chamber ensemble” by Oregon ArtsWatch, the Delgani String Quartet presents exciting performances of both classic and contemporary repertoire in intimate concert settings. The quartet curates their own subscription series while regularly appearing as guest artists throughout the state.

The Delgani String Quartet were sponsored by John & Linda Cummens

Stage director and choreographer Valerie Rachelle has directed theater and opera at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Syracuse Opera, Fresno Grand Opera, Sierra Repertory Theatre, Glendale Center Theater, Performance Riverside, Lucid By Proxy, Utah Festival Opera, and many others. She is currently the Artistic Director of the Oregon Cabaret Theatre in Ashland, OR, now in its 36th season.

Foundation Support

The Oregon Community Foundation

“Creative Heights” Grant

Oregon Cultural Trust

Cultural Development Grant

James F and Marion L Miller Foundation

Fast Track Arts Grant

Oregon Arts Commission

Operating Support

This project is supported in part by the Jackson County Cultural Coalition of the Oregon Cultural Trust, together investing in Oregon’s arts, heritage, and humanities.

This project is also supported in part by the Carpenter Foundation.

Additional Support

Additional support comes from the Federal CARES Act as dedicated by the State of Oregon via the Coronavirus Relief Funds for Cultural Support grant.

Anima Mundi Productions gratefully acknowledges the continued contributions of our Board and donors.

Thanks to our meals, transport, and housing sponsors!
Margaret & John Scarborough
Cowslip’s Belle B&B
Comfort Inn & Suites of Ashland
Meals provided by Alexandra Reid, Beth Aspedon, Bob Morse, Valeria Breiten, and Karen Gans