The University of Texas at Dallas Art and Performance Season will close with Celebration of Mexico, a multi-media musical fiesta conducted by UT Dallas professor of music and noted composer Robert Xavier Rodríguez, on Saturday, April 28, at 8 p.m. in the University Theatre. 

The evening will feature UT Dallas’ Musica Nova ensemble with pianist Jeff Lankov and guest soprano Alba Quezada.  The concert will include a concert suite from Rodríguez’s acclaimed opera Frida, based on the tempestuous life of painter Frida Kahlo.  The concert will also include traditional Mexican songs, such as El Palo Verde and Jesusita, and Silvestre Revueltas’ 8 x Radio (Eight for the Radio), Carlos Chávez’ Three Pieces for Guitar, Manuel Ponce’s Estrellita and Aaron Copland’s  El Salon Mexico, as arranged for piano solo by Leonard Bernstein.

More information about the concert may be found at http://ah.utdallas.edu/season0607/rxr-mexico.htm

Musica Nova  performs music written for small and large ensembles, as well as multi-media and theater works of all periods.  In the past, guest artists have included members of the Dallas Symphony and Dallas Opera Orchestras and singers from the New York City Opera and Metropolitan Opera.  Past Musica Nova concerts have ranged from Medieval and Renaissance dances and motets to standard repertoire to experimental new works written for or developed by the ensemble.  Concerts have included an evening of jigs, an evening of tangos, French cabaret and mariachi songs, chamber opera, ballet and a fully staged commedia dell’arte pantomime.

Tickets for the show are $15 for general admission and free at the door to UT Dallas students with a valid Comet Card.  UT Dallas ticket office hours are from 2 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and at the door one hour prior to show time.  For advance ticket purchases using Visa, MasterCard or Discover, please call 972-883-2552.

For information about the many musical, arts, theatre, dance and other performances and exhibitions held throughout the year at UT Dallas, please call 972-UTD-ARTS (972-883-2787), e-mail utdarts@utdallas.edu, or visit the School of Arts and Humanities’ website at http://ah.utdallas.edu/.  Persons with disabilities needing special accommodations may call 972-883-2982, Texas Relay Operator: 1-800-RELAYVV.

About UT Dallas

The University of Texas at Dallas, located at the convergence of Richardson, Plano and Dallas in the heart of the complex of major multinational technology corporations known as the Telecom Corridor, enrolls more than 14,500 students.  The school’s freshman class traditionally stands at the forefront of Texas state universities in terms of average SAT scores.  The university offers a broad assortment of bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs.  For additional information about UT Dallas, please visit the university’s website at www.utdallas.edu.


Contact Kristi Barrus, UT Dallas, (972) 883-2972, kristi.barrus@utdallas.edu