Lyric Opera 2025-2026 Issue 10 - El último sueño de Frida y Diego

17 | Lyric Opera of Chicago PRODUCTION SPONSORS Zell Family Foundation Pritzker Foundation Ethel Gofen A coproduction of San Diego Opera and San Francisco Opera. Diego Rivera artwork “Sueño de una tarde dominical en la Alameda (Dream of a Sun- day Afternoon in Alameda Central Park)” © 2025 Banco de México Diego Rivera Frida Kahlo Museums Trust, Mexico, D.F. / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York Scenery constructed at San Diego Opera Scenic Studio. Costumes constructed at San Diego Opera Costume Shop. Lyric Opera of Chicago thanks its Official Airline, United Airlines. APPROXIMATE TIMINGS This production will be performed with one intermission. Act 1 55 minutes Intermission 25 minutes Act 2 55 minutes TOTAL 2 hours 15 minutes LYRIC’S 2025/26 PRESENTING SEASON SPONSOR: The Robert and Penelope Steiner Family Foundation ACT II In the world of the living, Diego is bereft of inspiration. He is unable to paint, unable to embrace his mortality, and tormented by the absence of Frida, when she suddenly appears to him. Diego’s pleas have been answered, and Frida is again in the world of the living. Frida and Diego find themselves together in Alameda Park, strolling among living and departed souls together. Frida is overjoyed to be without pain and part of the vibrant life around her. Diego pleads for an embrace which Frida cannot give. A passing beggarwoman is a reminder of the darker world around them. Diego feels the presence of death and is reminded of his own mortality as the two artists mourn the state of the city and its broken, beautiful past. Frida finds Leonardo and learns that he has visited Greta Garbo’s admirer, fulfilling the man’s fantasy of meeting the movie star and providing the departed actor with a successful performance. Diego leads Frida back to her beloved home, Casa Azul, where she must confront the realities of her past life and the limitations of her return. Leonardo encourages Frida to paint. Diego begs her to embrace him, and Catrina reminds Frida that her time is limited, and she must not touch the living. Frida tries to paint but, no longer having a reflection in the physical world, she cannot summon her primary subject — her own image. Diego comforts Frida, offers assistance, and asks for forgiveness for their difficult past. Suddenly, she embraces him and is racked by the returning pain of her living existence. Diego lovingly encourages her to paint as a distraction. Images of herself that Frida created throughout her life appear, beckoning her into a world of art. Diego and Frida are surrounded by a timeless world of blue. As dawn breaks, Frida and Diego cling to their hope of staying together, but it is time for Frida to return to the underworld. As Leonardo bids a final farewell to the world of the living, Catrina gathers the departed souls for their return. She is angry to notice Frida’s absence but keeps her procession moving. Alone, Frida and Diego recognize that they cannot live forever in a dream world of art. With a final hope of being with Frida forever, Diego pleads for the gods of the underworld to call him back with her. Catrina appears, and Diego tells her his time has come. Catrina reminds him that only Mictlantecutli, god of the underworld, can decide his time. Frida begs her to help, and Diego’s journey begins. As they approach the underworld, Catrina calls out to Mictlantecutli, who appears and brings Diego into the world of the departed. As the departed souls welcome them, Frida and Diego whisper to one another, united for eternity in the underworld. — Synopsis reprinted courtesy of San Francisco Opera