This week, the Houston Grand Opera is set to revive Javier Martínez and Leonard Foglia’s “El Milagro del Recuerdo,” celebrating the holiday season. It’s a work that world premiered in 2019 to critical acclaim and sold-out shows. For this revival, the production will see the return of some of the original cast members including Cecilia Duarte.

Duarte originated the role of Renata for which she obtained raves. Critics said that Duarte was “strong and steadfast” and “gave it an impact that suited the woman’s turbulent emotions.”

They added that the mezzo “brought the music agitation and tinges of bitterness” and her “singing went straight to the character’s heart.”

Duarte’s performances of the mariachi opera come on the heels of her album “Reencuentros” which saw the mezzo exploring romantic boleros of her past.

For those not in Houston to see performances, Duarte is set to perform at the Arizona, Boston, and San Diego Early Music and will also hold a concert at Yale University.

Recordings 

For those interested in discover Duarte’s discography, the mezzo has recordings of “Cruzar la Cara de la Luna,” “Duruflé: The Complete Choral Works’ and her first solo album, the aforementioned, “Reencuentros.”

Here she is performing an excerpt from “The Messiah.”