Mexican ‘Weeping Woman’ legend becomes new opera in San Jose

“La Llorona” tells an ancient story of forbidden love, revenge and madness. Héctor Armienta, the founder of Opera Cultura, has based his new opera on the folk legend of “The Weeping Woman” — also known as the Mexican Medea — in which a young Xochil girl marries a Spanish man. Revenge comes in the form of the Xochil River, which refuses to forgive her for betraying her people. Tormented, the girl goes increasingly mad until she sacrifices her only child.

Armienta, a pianist and composer of operas and musical theater works whose awards and commissions include those from Meet the Composer, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Oakland East Bay Symphony, often explores themes from Mexican-American culture. His previous opera, “Bless Me, Ultima,” based on Rudolfo Anaya’s 1972 novel, was produced by Opera Southwest, and, in the Bay Area, by Opera Cultura.

“La Llorona,” which is laced with supernatural elements, traces the deep divide between destiny and free will; the two-hour opera, sung in English with some Spanish, is Part 1 of a planned trilogy. Audiences in San Jose can experience the first installment this weekend.

Details: 7:30 p.m. June 28-29, 2 p.m. June 30; Mexican Heritage Theater School of Arts and Culture, San Jose; $15-$40; 800-838-3006, operacultura.org.