To Cross the Face of the Moon/Cruzar la Cara de la Luna

Mezzo-soprano Cecilia Duarte had been working for five years as a chorus member for Houston Grand Opera when, last summer, without any warning, she was called to play the role of Renata in the new work To Cross the Face of the Moon/Cruzar la Cara de la Luna. This is the first-ever mariachi opera, featuring Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán. Despite her Mexican heritage, Duarte had never sung in that style. "I'm very excited about that. I grew up listening to all kinds of music, including mariachi music, but this is the first time that I'll be singing that style. It's been quite a challenge, actually. Then knowing that Mariachi Vargas is going to be playing is just a thrill; really, that's themariachi band."

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• Octavio Moreno
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The Face of the Moon follows three generations of a family, including Laurentino (sung by baritone Octavio Moreno), who left a family behind in Mexico and started a new life in America. As he nears his death, he asks his American son to find his Mexican family so they can all be reunited before he dies (Duarte's Renata is the wife left behind). The request brings out long-simmering resentment from both sides of the family. "The main point of the story is, where is home?" says Duarte. "Is it where you grew up? Where your family is? That's something I think we can all relate to."

This is the only performance of The Face of the Moon with Mariachi Vargas; in fact, it's their only Houston appearance this year. There will be four additional performances in early December with the same cast supported by another mariachi group. 8 p.m. Wortham Center, 501 Texas. For information, call 713-228-6737 or visit www.houstongrandopera.org. $36 to $126.
Sat., Nov. 13, 8 p.m., 2010