A Coruña Opera Director Champions Local Talent, Regional collaboration & Continues Performing Career
A Coruña, Spain – aquiles Machado, director of the A Coruña Opera, is focused on nurturing local artistic talent, forging collaborative relationships with other Spanish theaters, and maintaining his active career as a tenor and stage director. In a recent interview,machado outlined his vision for the opera house and his ongoing artistic pursuits.
Machado emphasized the importance of discovering and supporting artists from the region, stating, “We have to discover the local talent as that generates human connection with the territory, with the society of its city, its neighborhood, singing its own music… all that helps to integrate the community and the stage, which is the great task we have ahead.” He believes it’s crucial to provide young artists with their first professional opportunities “precisely here, in their land,” a principle he intends to consistently uphold.
Beyond local progress, Machado is actively building networks with other lyrical institutions. He maintains regular contact with Cesidio Niño in Bilbao, Celestino Varela in oviedo, and Ulises Jaen in Las Palmas, seeking collaborative projects to enhance viability and resource sharing. He highlighted that these collaborations are “a fundamental formula for the budget and talent to pay as much as possible.”
A key ambition for Machado is establishing a collaborative network within Galicia itself,specifically with theaters in Vigo and Santiago. He envisions this partnership benefiting the entire Galician public while preserving the individual identity and independence of each institution. “It would be something very important for the region,” he stated, adding he hopes to share positive news on this front soon.
Despite his directorial responsibilities, Machado remains a working performer. He is scheduled to perform the role of Don José in Carmen at the opening of the lyric season in Caracas. Future engagements include a performance of Verdi’s Requiem in Metz next year, and a reprise of The Knight of Olmedo. He also has recital dates planned in France and Germany.
Moreover, Machado is expanding his work as a stage director, with upcoming productions of La Traviata and Bohemia. He is also exploring opportunities as an orchestra director, having recently conducted Mozart’s Requiem in Madrid, which he described as ”a very beautiful experience,” and is scheduled to conduct another Requiem performance.
(Image: Aquiles Machado – © friends of A Coruña Opera)
Evergreen Analysis: The Growing Importance of Regional Opera Networks
The interview with Aquiles Machado underscores a growing trend in the performing arts: the increasing emphasis on regional collaboration. Facing budgetary constraints and a desire to foster local talent, opera houses and theaters are increasingly looking to partnerships within their geographic areas. This approach offers several benefits:
Cost-Sharing: Collaborative productions can considerably reduce costs associated with sets, costumes, and marketing.
Talent Exchange: Networks allow for the sharing of singers, directors, and technical staff, broadening artistic horizons and providing opportunities for emerging artists.
Audience development: Joint marketing efforts can attract wider audiences and build a stronger regional arts community.
Preservation of Local identity: While collaboration is key, Machado’s emphasis on maintaining the ”personality and independence” of each institution highlights the importance of preserving unique regional artistic voices.
This model of regional cooperation is not limited to opera; it’s being adopted by orchestras,ballet companies,and other performing arts organizations worldwide,demonstrating a shift towards a more enduring and interconnected arts ecosystem.
