Frida and Diego...the opera

Living in SF, it is hard not to know about Diego Rivera. In Coit tower, near my Chestnut Street home of 20 years, there is a Diego Rivera mural as well as at the Art Institute on Chestnut Street on Russian Hill. There is a massive mural in storage at City College after an expensive move.
There was a major exposition of Frida's paintings one year at the Marina, which of course led me to more study.
I remember the relationship tumultuous but not the details. Diego was a dedicated Marxist in the 20's. Frida too joined in the 20's and was a lifelong member. The communist sign was embroidered on her burial costume in the opera.
Frida was petite and Diego was gordo. The Met did an outstanding job of portraying their physical likeness. Isabel Leonard, a met HD star since 2007, has grown vocally and is exquisitely beautiful.
The opera was sung in Spanish which is rare. The singer playing the role of Diego was a native Spanish speaker.
https://www.metopera.org/season/in-cinemas/2025-26-season/el-ultimo-sueno-de-frida-y-diego/full-cast/
Now with this background info, you must be asking what was "El Ultimo Sueno"????
The answer to this explains the brilliance of the opera.
Frida died first and was buried in a traditional tomb.
But alas Diego was a philanderer so her family refused to allow the famous artist to be buried with her.
But what if they were buried together? That is the question answered by the opera in the magical second act complete with double jointed dancers as skeletons. As always, the Met Opera orchestra and chorus were superb.
I will be carrying visions of this performance for years.
Many thanks to Barbara Mortensen, The Opera Lady, for keeping us informed of opera dates.
https://theoperalady.org/
Her mailing list is very helpful.
Summer encores coming soon.

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