Two musical worlds: Soprano Cecilia Violetta López to perform the story of her life with 'Mariposa Que Vuela'

Sep. 18—The soprano Cecilia Violetta López began singing while she was hoeing Idaho's sugar beet fields with her family.

On Saturday, she'll be performing the story of her life on the operatic stage of the National Hispanic Cultural Center.

In time for Hispanic Heritage Month, "Mariposa Que Vuela" is a "recital autobiografico" weaving together mariachi, ranchera and classical opera music. In it, López tells the story of her family, her early childhood in Idaho's farm fields, the songs her mother taught her and her operatic career.

She has always straddled two musical worlds.

In 2006, López was pursuing a music education degree at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas when she saw a student production of "La Bohème," her first opera.

"I only went to be supportive, not knowing my life would change," she said. "I left the theater a mess; I was moved to tears. That's when I said, 'That's what I want to do.' "

She auditioned three times before the voice faculty took her seriously enough to accept her decision to amend her degree.

"It was years of practicing and training your ear," she said.

Upon graduation, she was immediately accepted to Opera San José.

"I've been working steadily ever since," López said.

The singer moved to Albuquerque during the pandemic, after spending 20 years in Las Vegas, Nevada. In 2020, she sang in the Opera Southwest production of "Il Postino," then helmed the company's New Year's Eve shows in 2020 and 2021.

"I had worked in Albuquerque before the pandemic, so I knew I was moving to a place where I wasn't a complete stranger," she added.

López credited OSW executive director Anthony Zancanella with suggesting an autobiographical recital.

"He said, 'Why don't we have Opera Southwest be the sponsor while you do a recital — telling your story through music,' " López said. "He was the one who planted the seed."

Opera News named her one of the genre's "25 Rising Stars." She has received accolades for her signature role as Violetta in "La Traviata." She has performed the role with the Minnesota Opera, Opera Colorado, Opera Tampa, Opera Idaho and the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

On Saturday, she will be joined on stage by pianist Nate Salazar and musicians from Mariachi Amigos de Nuevo México.

López will sing the role of Micaela in "Carmen" with OSW in May 2024.