When the curtain falls

The greatest drama in opera doesn’t take place on stage, but after the curtain falls. 

Would-be opera singers make many sacrifices and spends considerable time and money on developing and refining their art, but few even have the chance to audition and become full professionals.  Experiencing that glory seems to be the privilege of a supremely gifted few.

That’s why when the curtain falls, I wonder whether the performers can easily doff their characters with their costumes, or the drama that brought them to tears. I ask myself how they manage to play that instrument that is their body so masterfully every time, even if they’re ill or going through serious difficulties in their personal lives.  I imagine their disappointment on occasions when one of these situations prevents their voice from being up to the task, because then they also have to face the ensuing criticism from the press and public.

I think about the hard work of so many people--makeup artists, costumers, musicians, stagehands, administrators, etc.--that goes into staging a new work. At the end of the performance, were the applause and cheers enough to satisfy them?

I think about what happens when silence gradually takes over the orchestra pit, the voices of the choir dwindle are quieted and the dramas onstage and off exit the building along with the people.  The stage, the dressing rooms, and the seats are all empty.  The curtain has fallen…

After photographying the Mexican National Opera for more than 15 years, I was named the official photographer at the Bellas Artes Palace Theatre in Mexico in 2013. From this date until 2016 I was witness of an era of splendor of the National Opera and the greatest Mexican singers of our time like Francisco Araiza, Ramón Vargas, Javier Camarena, María Katzarava and Rolando Villazón. These voices are still enchanting opera theaters in the world , but I was also privilege to hear the voices and portray international singers as magnificent as Anna Netrebko, Juan Diego Flórez, Elina Garanca, Joyce DiDonato, and Placido Domingo among others. The words "sublime" and "life meaning" start having a new sense for me after having the opportunity to witness these performances.

But as incredible as it seems my most unforgettable experience was watching The Orchestra Maestros. Due to Fujifilm new technologies which cameras do not make any noise at all, I was able to look closely this outstanding profession. I think these privilege minds and sensible human beings directing the much gifted musicians, was one of the most invaluable life experiences in my life. 

You can see more images in what was my "Ana Lourdes Herrera" website at the time which is still on view: https://www.analourdesherrera.com/newsite/