Héctor Amienta and his award-winning Opera Cultura bring a Mexican legend to the stage with this live production of La Llorona. Translated as “The Weeping Woman,” La Llorona is a folk tale about identity, colonization and revenge. A young Xochil girl falls for a man of Spanish descent, marrying him and angring the mighty Xochil River. It’s part of Armienta’s Aguas Ancestrales—or “Ancient Waters”—trilogy, which deals with a number of themes, including the spiritual role of water, the concepts of destiny and free will, and the lives of the women in Armienta’s Mexican-American family.

La Llorona
Fri, 7:30pm,
Mexican Heritage Theater, San Jose

Questioning the familial ties that bind and rend him, Antonio Marez embarks on a magical journey of self-discovery in New Mexico with the help of Ultima, a curandera, or shaman. Based on the acclaimed coming-of-age novel by Chicano lit luminary Rudolfo Anaya, the Mexican-American opera debuts on the West Coast following its Feb. 18 world premiere in New Mexico. Featuring music by nationally recognized Mexican-American composer Héctor Armienta, the opera explores themes of destiny, the natural world and balance. Mezzo-soprano Suzanna Guzman will star as Ultima and members of the San Mateo-based Masterworks Chorale will perform the opera chorus. It runs through Sunday.

Bless Me, Ultima
Fri, 7:30pm: $15+
Mexican Heritage Theater, San Jose