Three small-format operas by composer Miguel Farías and “Ópera de pocket” will explore underrepresented contemporary themes such as marginality and migration. Mezzo-soprano, baritone, violin, cello, clarinet and percussion star in this series that addresses librettos based on stories. Directed by Paolo Bortolameolli.

For the first time at GAM, the opera arrives in a 15-minute format. These are the creations of the company Ópera de Bolsillo, which will have presentations directed by the outstanding director, Paolo Bortolameolli.

Three works will be presented that explore contemporary themes and historically underrepresented topics. The Sorting Hat tells how a young woman over 30 years old receives, belatedly, an invitation letter to Hogwarts. In the monologue, full of humor, the author's insecurities are evident, which make her surrender to the experience no matter how strange and timeless she herself feels. A libretto based on a story of the same name by Constanza Gutíerrez, with music by Miguel Farías.

Ways to Win Heaven stars an elderly couple: he claims to be on his deathbed and his wife disputes it. He insists that she place two coins over his eyes so that his soul will not hang around, but that he can pay the boatman. As the old woman understands who gave her these ideas, forgiveness and redemption become relevant. This opera is a libretto on text by Andrés Montero, from his book “Death comes estilando”.

Médula, a premiere with a libretto by Miguel Farías himself, is based on a story by Kafka, and is about a Venezuelan waiter who serves a French restaurant. He tells his pedantic clients that in Venezuela he sang opera. A true story that will be sung by the protagonist who lived this experience: the tenor Carlos Díaz.

The company Opera de Bolsillo was founded with the aim of making opera accessible to a greater diversity of audiences, this company combines music, social context and Latin American literature to build innovative, intimate and deeply resonant narratives. "I feel that opera is extremely anachronistic, as a work, as a format, as a social phenomenon and as an event. This proposal tries to deliver operas in small format, as in series, like Netflix," says Miguel Farías, composer and artistic director of the company.

“I believe that the new opera seeks to keep this form of expression current, but that it speaks to us in our time. And in this case, the concept of pocket opera has to do with operas that are short, with very few singers, very few set elements and very few musicians, so that they can even be staged in the living room of your house.”

— Paolo Bortolameolli.