'El Último Sueño de Frida y Diego:' A painting come to life

El Último Sueño de Frida y Diego (The Last Dream of Frida and Diego) is wrapping up its final weekend at the Los Angeles Opera. The production is an exquisite work of art, composed by the brilliant Grammy award–winning Gabriela Lena Frank and written by Pulitzer Prize–winning librettist Nilo Cruz.

The production was an experience that will forever be etched in the memory of audience members, as you journey between the afterlife and the “living” world in a tale of romance and redemption. The leading stars of the show, Daniella Mack as Frida Kahlo, Alfredo Daza as Diego Rivera, and Ana Maria Martinez as La Catrina, carry the story with their incredible performances and the vibrant visual elements create the illusion of a painting brought to life.

The opera follows a widowed Rivera, who is reunited with his late wife on Día de los Muertos – Day of the Dead. In his mourning, Rivera pleads for an opportunity to ask Kahlo for forgiveness but a deceased Kahlo is reluctant to return to the world of the living, which brought her so much pain and agony during her lifetime. 

The natural chemistry between Rivera (Daza) and Kahlo (Mack) truly elevates the show. The two ensemble members deliver an outstanding performance, with each actor bringing their character to life with passion and nuance. From the tortured soul of Frida Kahlo to the lustful spirit of Diego Rivera, every moment of their interaction is a feast for the senses that will leave the audience feeling emotionally moved and inspired. 

Similarly, La Catrina (a symbol of death that is commonly associated with Día de los Muertos) serves as one of the leading characters in Act I. Mack delivers a striking performance that sets the stage both figuratively and literally. La Catrina is considered the gatekeeper of the dead and ultimately decides who is granted the privilege of returning to the living world during Día de los Muertos. In her interactions with Frida, La Catrina brings both a cheeky and antagonistic element to the otherwise enigmatic character. 

As the performance reaches the end of the first act, Frida finds herself at a crossroads. She is torn between the world of the living and the world beyond. Meanwhile, La Catrina, the playful spirit of death, taunts Frida with her torment. Frida ultimately chooses to return to the world of the living to be reunited with her true love, her art. However, as she returns home, she is hit by a wave of emotions. She realizes that Diego, her lifetime lover, still has a hold on her heart, and she struggles to come to terms with this realization.

El Último Sueño de Frida y Diego does an incredible job of capturing the notoriously tumultuous relationship between Rivera and Kahlo. In real life, the passionate love affair was often volatile and etched in history. Both Diego and Frida had multiple extra-marital affairs and even divorced in 1939, only to remarry a year later. On the stage, however, their romance is just as haunting, as even in the afterlife Frida continues to be burdened with helping Diego find his way. He is described by the supporting singers as a lost soul without a north star to guide him.  

The entire cast of El Último Sueño de Frida y Diego was undeniably talented, but Key’mon Murrah’s portrayal of Leonardo was truly exceptional. Whenever he appeared on stage, Murrah stole the show with his remarkable voice that seemed to touch the hearts of every member of the audience. Although Leonardo’s character could have been simply relegated to comic relief, he became a tender and powerful presence accompanied by an unforgettable auditory experience.

One of the most striking aspects of the production was undoubtedly the exquisite set and costume design, which seamlessly transported the audience between the realms of the dead and the living. In the second act, the cast meticulously recreated iconic Frida Kahlo portraits, which were nothing short of breathtaking to witness, leaving the audience in utter admiration of the sheer artistry and creativity involved in the design and execution. While the music composition remained the beating heart of the production, it was the visually stunning elements that breathed life into the show and elevated it to an entirely new level of excellence.

El Último Sueño de Frida y Diego is a stunning theatrical production that offers a unique and captivating glimpse into the afterlife of two of the most celebrated artists of the 20th century. Through the use of vivid and imaginative stage design, the opera transports the audience into a dreamlike world where the complex emotions and relationships of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera are brought to life in a truly mesmerizing way.

Whether you are a fan of Latin American art and history or simply love great live theater, El Último Sueño de Frida y Diego is a must-see production that will take you on a journey of life, death and the in-between.