Composer

:

José María Sánchez-Verdú

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

2007 - 2009

Publication Date

:

2009

First Performance

:

Sep 2009

Aura is an opera composed by José María Sánchez-Verdú, which premiered on October 25, 2018, at the Teatro Real in Madrid, Spain. The opera is based on the novel of the same name by Mexican author Carlos Fuentes. The plot of Aura revolves around Felipe Montero, a young historian who is hired by the mysterious and enigmatic Consuelo to transcribe the memoirs of her deceased husband, General Llorente. As Felipe delves deeper into the task, he becomes increasingly obsessed with Consuelo and the strange occurrences that seem to surround her. He discovers that Consuelo is actually a manifestation of Aura, the young woman who was General Llorente's lover many years ago. As Felipe becomes more entangled in the web of secrets and lies surrounding Aura, he begins to lose his grip on reality. The opera is divided into three movements, each of which explores different aspects of the story. The first movement, titled "The House," introduces the audience to the setting and characters of the opera. The second movement, "The Memoirs," delves deeper into the history of General Llorente and Aura, and the third movement, "The Dream," brings the story to its dramatic conclusion. One of the most striking characteristics of Aura is its use of sound and music to create a haunting and surreal atmosphere. Sánchez-Verdú employs a wide range of instruments, including traditional Western orchestral instruments, as well as electronic and experimental sounds. The music is often dissonant and unsettling, reflecting the psychological turmoil of the characters. Overall, Aura is a complex and thought-provoking opera that explores themes of love, obsession, and the blurred lines between reality and fantasy. Its premiere at the Teatro Real was met with critical acclaim, and it has since been performed at other venues around the world.

More....