Mejia is an active member of the TCU Opera Studio and a talented artist, earning second place as male vocalist at the 2023 NextGen National Finals, a prestigious voice competition hosted by the American Pops Orchestra in New York City.
The TCU Opera Studio is proud to present “Anam the Witch and Beatriz the Beautiful,” a new bilingual children’s opera inspired by a Mexican folk tale akin to “Hansel & Gretel.” With vibrant costumes, compelling characters and a richly designed set, the opera not only enchants but also highlights Latin culture, bringing its traditions to the forefront of music education.
Corey Trahan, director of the Opera Studio and instructor II of voice.
Originally premiered at Lakewood United Methodist in the spring of 2022, this production offers an immersive experience for audiences of all ages. Directed by Corey Trahan, director of the opera studio, and David Mejia ’25, an artist diploma candidate, this performance marks Mejia’s directorial debut.
From its inception, Trahan and Mejia have been committed to making music more accessible for public elementary schools, with a special focus on the Latino community in Fort Worth. Composed by Mary Alice Rich and librettist Claudia Navarro Jameson, this opera features an all-Latino cast of talented opera singers from the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Notably, Mejia originated the role of King Reynaldo, bringing a personal and dynamic touch to this performance.
“Since its premiere, this production has been toured across various elementary schools based in Dallas with praise by students and educators for its cultural significance and Latino representation in classical music,” explained Trahan.
Revitalizing the Opera Canon
The Spanish-English opera explores a language and culture not often featured in TCU’s opera program. Both the composer and librettist were deeply involved in the collaborative process, participating in rehearsals and offering invaluable insights into their musical and dramatic choices.
“This project is independent of the current opera season and something students have asked to do in addition to their academic responsibilities,” said Trahan. “Our students haven’t had the chance to work with a living collaborative team or perform a newly composed opera.”
Mejia personally selected the cast, chose costumes and props that authentically represent Latino culture, and is planning a special culinary treat for the audience.
“New art is alive, and when newer operas are performed and seen, it changes the canon,” Mejia explained. “As a Latino director, it is important to tell new stories rather than continuing to retell the same ones. This project gives voice to those who haven’t had their stories sung and their culture communicated, offering an opera for all ages.”
This project serves as a significant outreach effort, potentially introducing opera to individuals who may not typically engage with the art form. It is the first of many premieres the opera studio has planned for upcoming seasons.
“What excites me about this opera is the feeling that many Latino audience members and children will have when they hear the first Spanish lyric sung in the opera,” Mejia said. “I vividly remember, in various performances, kids screaming with excitement when they heard ‘their own language’ sung for the first time in an opera. My goal with this is that hopefully many more Latino families will want to go to the opera and see that there is space for them.”