L A MALINCHE Nathan Felix filming in the background of an immersive opera at the Harn Museum in Florida
AM: How does one go about composing an opera from scratch? NF: I do a lot of research, go online and
Immersed in La Malinche
The exhibition inspires a new composition.
C
try to find as much as I can about subject matter. Once I have an idea of a storyline and narrative, I sit down at my piano and start playing. I hone into certain feelings and sentiments that I want the characters to have. I keep building on the music’s theme and then write the libretto second. Most of the time, people write the libretto first, or the librettist gives the script to the composer. AM: What happens at an immersive
OMPOSER NATHAN FELIX
AM: What appeals to you about
opera? What can visitors expect?
HAS A UNIQUE NICHE. He
this story?
NF: Some of it will be in Spanish and
composes interactive operas
NF: It’s perfect for theater. I wanted to
because it is an immersive opera, it won’t
based on museum exhibitions.
feature La Malinche, who some looked
be in a traditional theater with traditional
One project was his critically acclaimed
at as a traitor, although a more positive
staging. The idea is to do it in the lobby,
immersive opera, Alien Wanderers : Alien
light has been shed on her now. I wanted
then it moves into the gallery with the
World : Alien Home, which premiered
that to be the focal point to build tension.
exhibition as a backdrop.
in 2019 at Blanton Museum in Austin,
What was her mentality, when she was
Texas. Alien addressed discrimination
essentially helping the Spanish wipe out
amazing singers [who are local to
and issues surrounding the United States’
her culture—did she have a choice? Also, I
Albuquerque], and very melodic, very
southern border, marginalized groups,
feel connected to the Mestizo elements of
beautiful music. They should come with an
and re-appropriation of borders. Felix,
the story. I am a product of Malinche and
open mind to experience opera in a truly
who is Mexican-American, is particularly
her service to Cortés.
unique way.
Curator of Education Jessica Coyle
AM: What kinds of difficulties did you
Editor’s Note: The interview has been
contacted Felix about creating an opera
face in creating this composition?
edited for length and clarity.
based on the exhibition Traitor, Survivor,
NF: There is not really a lot of
Icon: La Malinche. “I’m really excited that
documentation about La Malinche so it
we have the opportunity to try something
is hard to give her a voice. Everything
new, do a world premiere, and tie it into a
is really from the Spanish perspective.
gallery space,” Coyle says. “It’s a different
Historians tried to interpret and give
connection when you do a production like
their take. But I had to really fictionalize
this in front of the artwork.”
things—I tried to focus on what her
I think visitors can expect to hear
interested in Latinx stories, so Associate
The Museum caught up with Felix about his opera:
mentality would be … I try to picture her
ON VIEW IMMERSIVE OPERA July 21, 5-8:30 p.m.
feeling empowered.
AlbuquerqueMuseumFoundation.org
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