Ainadamar (Arabic for "Fountain of Tears") is a Spanish-language Opera with a libretto by David Henry Hwang and composed by Osvaldo Golijov. The opera premiered in 2003 at Tanglewood in Massachusetts. The story is about the Spanish poet Federico García Lorca and his muse and frequent collaborator, the actress Margarita Xirgu. The story is told in flashback by Xirgu, recalling the events that surrounded Lorca's most famous play Mariana Pineda, in which she played the starring role, and his execution by the Falange in the Spanish Civil War.
In the first act, Xirgu is rehearsing with her theatre troop to perform Mariana Pineda. She recalls how her life has been spent in theaters such as the one they are rehearsing in, and laments the death of her friend Lorca. Xirgu's protege, Nuria, asks her to recount the premiere of Mariana Pineda and how she agreed to perform in the leading role. There is a flashback to Xirgu and Lorca in the Bar Albor in Madrid. Xirgu comments on the importance of Pineda as a political and historical figure, but Lorca says that he didn't write the play for political reasons. Lorca explains that growing up in Granada, he saw Pineda's statue out of his bedroom window and fell in love with her. The older Xirgu looks back on this and wishes that she could have saved him, and Nuria wonders if the poet knew that his fate would be the same as Pineda's. The moment is interrupted by the start of the Spanish Civil War.
In act two, Xirgu continues Lorca's story. They have the chance to premiere Mariana Pineda in Havana, but Lorca stays behind in Spain. He is inspired by the violence and wants to remain to bear artistic witness to the bloodshed. While Xirgu tours Mariana Pineda in Latin America, Lorca is captured by the Falange and brought to his execution. A priest confesses Lorca and two other prisoners set to be executed. Xirgu imagines herself being there to watch as Lorca is put to death by firing squad.
In act three, Xirgu's health is noticably failing. Nuria insists that she not go on stage, but Xirgu reminds her that actors are ephemeral, but live on in the memories of those who knew them. Xirgu has a vision of Lorca in her dying moments as he thanks her for keeping him and his work alive in the memories of her students. Nuria takes up the role of Pineda as Xirgu dies and pronounces herself the source of freedom.
The opera uses a wide range of musical techniques, from Spanish flamenco, to Arabic influenced orchestral music, to pre-recorded sound effects. It also borrows elements from Baroque Passion Play works.
Ainadamar contains examples of:
- Antagonist in Mourning: The Falangist officer that called for Lorca's death also sings "Lamento por la Muerte di Federico"Translation
- Arc Words: The opening ballad from Mariana Pineda is sung by the chorus several points throughout the opera"¡Ay, qué día tan triste en Granada, / que a las piedras hacía llorar / al ver que Marianita se muere / en cadalso por no declarar! / ¡...las campanas doblar y doblar!" Translation
- Artistic License – History: The show implies that Mariana Pineda was premiered right around the start of the Spanish Civil War in 1936 — it was actually premiered almost 10 years earlier in 1927.
- A Tankard of Moose Urine: The whiskey Lorca gives Xirgu in the Bar Albor causes this reaction.
- Based on a True Story
- Crosscast Role: Frederico Garcia Lorca is written for a Mezzo-Soprano or Contralto
- Evil Sounds Deep: There are only two male roles in the opera — both are Falangists
- Eye Motifs
- Both the chorus and Lorca emphasize Pineda's eyes
- Xirgu mentions her eyes several times— in one aria, she screams that she wants to tear them out
- Eye Scream: "¡Quiero arrancarme los ojos / para no verlo sufrir!"Translation
- Hero's Muse: Xirgu to Lorca— but also Lorca to Xirgu after his deathXirgu: "...se muerte / es la razón por la que enseño"Translation
- Mariana Pineda to Lorca and Xirgu as well
- Historical-Domain Character: Lorca and Xirgu. In-Universe, Mariana Pineda.
- Hope Spot: in the "A la Habana" duet, it seems like Lorca and Xirgu are going to escape the war
- Liquid Courage: Lorca takes Xirgu out drinking and calls the whisky "fuel for [her] fire."
- Rule of Symbolism: Due to borrowing aspects of Baroque Passion Play works, there are several moments that directly reference aspects of the life and death of Christ
- In the scenes of Lorca's execution:
Xirgu: "Así en la ladera del monte, / tú cargaste tu cruz"Translation- After Xirgu's death:
Xirgu: "Doy mi sangre, / derramada por vosotros, / bebedla y contad mi historia"Translation
