Tata Vasco (opera)

Tata Vasco is an opera in five scenes composed by Miguel Bernal Jiménez to a Spanish libretto with nationalistic and devoutly Roman Catholic themes by the Mexican priest and poet, Manuel Muñoz.

Considered one of Bernal Jiménez's most emblematic scores,[1] the music incorporates native melodies, dances, and instruments as well as elements of Gregorian chant.

It was to be part of the celebrations for the 400th anniversary of Vasco de Quiroga's arrival in Pátzcuaro and was set to a libretto in rhyming verse by Manuel Muñoz Mendoza, a Catholic priest, poet, and writer who lived in Morelia, the composer's native city.

[2] The world premiere was originally planned for 1940 at the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City but was postponed due to fears that it would "provoke religious controversy".

The opera had its Mexico City premiere at the Teatro Arbeu on 15 March 1941 and in September of that year was performed to great enthusiasm in Morelia.

Part of Spain's commemorations for the 400th anniversary of the death of Hernán Cortés, the Madrid performance met with considerable success.

[5] On 29 September 1949, eight years after its premiere, Tata Vasco was finally staged at the Palacio de Bellas Artes where it was given a run of two performances, both conducted by the composer.

When their song is finished, the children depart and Tata Vasco enters to receive a delegation from the natives in Tzintzuntzan, led by Cuninjángari, the city's governor and a relative of the dead king.

A colourful parade ensues in which gourd cups, pottery, fishing nets, guitars, blouses and shawls are displayed to Don Vasco.

Deeply touched, he tells the natives that he will dedicate his life to their welfare and shows them an image of the Virgin of Good Health, who he says will protect them and their children.