Playing Carmen, icon of freedom
Ana María Martínez has returned to Los Angeles Opera, opening the season as the fiercely independent Carmen. Martínez had her L.A. Opera debut in 1997 as Mimi in “La Bohème” and in 2016 was Cio-Cio-San in “Madama Butterfly.” For this edited conversation, Martínez spoke about revisiting a familiar role and rehearsing while her hometown coped with flooding.
How did your family in Houston weather Hurricane Har vey?
Miraculously my home was not affected. My family and all my loved ones are safe. I know so many others who weren’t as fortunate. It’s just horrible. At the same time, what I see is the goodwill that everyone is demonstrating toward each other in this crisis.
Has it been hard to be in L.A. during this disaster?
It’s surreal, and it brings a certain sense of guilt. It’s hard not being there while all of this is happening. I want to embrace the city and give it a hug.
You grew up in New York. Why live in Houston?
I have a beautiful history with Houston Grand Opera. I was a young artist with that company and I ended up falling in love with the feel of the city. I bought a place in 2002, and my 10year-old son loves it there.
Let’s talk Carmen. Why do you enjoy this role?
She is the poster girl for freedom, for liberation, for speaking your truth, and for being comfortable in your own skin. To portray her is truly to feel liberated.
She is like the light that shines and destroys. What does light destroy? Darkness. What do we equate with darkness? Fear.
Does this role change you offstage?
Most of my career I have played the ingenue, the sweet girl. When I get to play someone as delicious as Carmen, it starts bleeding over into my own life. There are so many times I just bite my tongue in real life. As Carmen, I don’t bite my tongue anymore.
You’re the daughter of a Puerto Rican mother and Cuban father. What does this mean for Latin American fans?
Sometimes opera has this image of being elitist and out of people’s grasp unless they grew up aware of classical music. I want to tell them it’s not like that at all. In many ways operas are dramatic stories that are very similar to telenovelas. So I always hope they might give it a try because of me.