We recently interviewed Cecilia about her music, her passions, and what brings her to Bloomington for this Sunday’s concert.

How did you get started in music? Did you have any early influences, mentors, or teachers that inspired you?

I grew up in Chihuahua, Mexico, in a family of musicians. My grandparents (dad side) were classical musicians (Cello and piano) and my mother’s dad was an opera singer and actor from Argentina. There was music all the time at home, and I grew up listening to my mom singing boleros. She definitely inspires me. Later on, I have encountered people that have guided me in personal and artistic ways. Carol Kirkpatrick (Author of the book “Aria Ready?”) has been a wonderful mentor in my career, as well as my teacher the soprano Cynthia Clayton, who has given me many tools to keep my singing going, as well as being a role model.

Your biography shows a very broad range of musical passions – contemporary music and early music in particular seem important to you. Can you tell me what attracts you to those very different genres?

I always loved early music. From a young age I was attracted to sacred music (my dad was in the seminary) and I was always moved by the works of Bach. The first time I learned a Bach aria, I knew that my voice felt “at home” and that I wanted to sing that style forever. This music moved me, and I always felt that the music itself was a clear carrier of the message of all those oratorios. I consider that early music is always new, because much of it is rarely performed, and a live performance is also unique, in the sense that it will never be the same. When I sing contemporary music, and also, when I get to premiere new works, I’m presenting something that no one has heard before, so I’m able to leave an impression on the music. I like having the freedom to have my own take on the music, and to give it its own life, through the artistry I can bring. I believe this is the same with early music.

You seem to be doing so many different things – setting up disaster relief benefits, performing with the Houston Grand Opera, touring with Cruzar la Cara de la Luna, and more. How do you juggle so much, and do it all so well?

Thank you! I believe I need to always keep in mind that this is my passion, so even when times are hard, being able to do what I love is a blessing to me. I am lucky to live in a city where I get to work with some of the best artistic companies in the country, and I have built great relationships with them. I feel like I have a great support system, with my husband, friends, and colleagues that help me deal with many things. When I thought of doing the benefit concert, I know the best way I could help was by giving my own work, and talent. It was possible because I had the participation of my generous artist friends that donated their time and gifts.

What’s important about each of these passions that inspires you to find the time to pursue them?

As I mentioned, first of all, is what I love doing, but also, in many ways, it’s also a mission to tell stories. When it comes to new music, new chamber operas, they tell stories about issues that people know about, so it’s a way to bring people in, and make them interested in music.

I’ve been reading about Cruzar la Cara de la Luna (“To Cross the Face of the Moon”) on the New York City Opera’s website. It sounds fascinating. The themes also seem remarkably pertinent, given our current social and political climate. Can you tell me how you came to be involved with this opera? What does it mean to you, personally?

I had been working for HGO since 2005. Anthony Freud was our general director back then. After hearing a concert of mariachi music, he was convinced there had to be an opera told with Mariachi. The Opera was commissioned to celebrate the bicentennial of Mexico’s independence. The company knew me well and offered me the role. This Opera has been extremely important in my professional life. Being a native of Mexico, it is an honor to perform with a beautiful mariachi band in an opera, another art form I love. Mixing these two genres has been beautiful and I have been lucky to create the role and still performing it after almost 8 years.

It is a mission for me to give voice to so many people that aren’t being heard. I think art should be a reflection of reality, and this is a wonderful way for people to know the human side of immigration. It is a beautiful story that is not only pertinent to Mexico and USA, but of all people.

About this concert:

The BSO was introduced to you through our Artistic Director and Conductor, Alejandro Gómez Guillén. How do you know Alejandro? Have you worked with him before? Do you have any stories you’d like to share with us about meeting him?

I met Alejandro at the Oregon Bach festival in 2009. We became good friends. I was a chorister there and he was there for the conducting masterclasses with Helmut Rilling. That same summer we traveled to Germany to perform at the Festivalensemble in Stuttgart, where I met my now husband.

I immediately saw how talented Alejandro was, doing his conducting in Oregon, playing violin in Germany, and also discovering his beautiful voice. We sang a love duet in one of the parties, which was really successful!

Anyway, we became real friends, and we know that we wanted to work together whenever there was a chance. I’m thrilled and honored to be singing under his baton.

We have you programmed to perform De Falla’s Seven Popular Spanish Songs, Grieg’s Fra Monte Pincio and Fauré’s Aurore during our March concert. How did you come to choose those particular pieces?

They were Alejandro’s suggestions. I actually was happy to let him choose based on what he knows my voice can do. I don’t give that freedom to many people, but I’m really excited about this program.

What are some of the challenges of working with an unknown group? We’ve never met you, you’ve never met us, and yet, after just a few rehearsals, we’ll be performing a pretty substantial concert.

What excites you most about this collaboration?

What we have in common is that we all know Alejandro, and trust him. He’s the glue here. I love having these experiences where our ears and minds have to be open to create music. I’m sure we’ll bring something really special.

And finally, is there anything else you’d like to share, either about this concert, collaboration, or about yourself with our audiences?

This will be my first concert with a full orchestra, so it’s a kind of debut. I’m thrilled to have it with the BSO. See you soon!