La Pastorela in Fort Worth - a Spanish Nativity Cantata

A Christmas Play recreated and staged by theater director Jendi Tarde, using authentic period costumes. Orchestra of New Spain brings the centuries-old Mexican tradition to dazzling life onstage with music, dance, and comedic fun.  Join us as we follow ordinary shepherds on a perilous yet hilarious journey of temptations and trials as they follow the star to Bethlehem.

The Pastorela includes a narrator and a panoply of villancicos (carols) from Spain and Latin America: with Spain’s Padre Antonio Soler and Mexico’s Juan Garcia de Zéspedes and Manuel de Sumaya among the best known.  Included are “cachuas’ from Peru’s Codex Martinez Compañon, more pulsing jacaras by Frances de Iribarren, a carol with lyrics by Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, and a moving Gloria from a Mass by Sumaya.  The drama including a valiant Angel battling a bad boy Devil!

A Christmas concert for the whole family!