Names of Note: Opera Modesto gets grant for staging of beloved Latino novel
Opera Modesto has received a $15,000 grant to help with its 2022 staging of “Bless Me, Ultima,” a novel about a Latino youth in 1940s New Mexico.
The news came the same week that its acclaimed author, Rodolfo Anaya, died at his Albuquerque home at 82.
“Bless Me, Ultima” is a widely read coming-of-age story, with a bit of local tie: People in Newman debated back in 2009 whether the novel should be taught at Orestimba High School, given its violence, sexuality and critique of Catholicism.
The grant came from the Brabson Library and Educational Foundation, based in New Mexico. It will pay for an adaptation of the opera by composer Hector Armienta for a smaller orchestra and shorter running time.
Opera Modesto will perform the work on the weekend of Jan. 7 to 9, 2022, with free shows for school audiences on other days. It will be on a double bill with “Don Quixote,” as part of the troupe’s Story Into Song Literacy Initiative.
The two operas had been scheduled for January 2021. Uncertainty about COVID-19 postponed them for a year.
General Director Roy Stevens noted that two singers originally from Modesto will perform in both operas – soprano Sandra Bengochea and countertenor Jose Luis Munoz. Bengochea is a voice professor at San Jose State University. Munoz now lives in Seattle.
Modestan joins state disability panel
Gov. Gavin Newsom has appointed Dwight Bateman of Modesto to the State Independent Living Council. The 18-member panel advises the governor and legislators on issues affecting disabled Californians.
Bateman worked from 1995 to 2007 for Disability Resources Agency for Independent Living, better known as DRAIL, including time as executive director. He spent the last 11 years with the state Department of Rehabilitation, including grant administrator, volunteer appeals board member and volunteer disaster services functional assessment service team member.
Bateman is a member of the National Council on Independent Living and the Stanislaus County In-Home Supportive Services Advisory Committee. He also is chair of the state Rehabilitation Appeals Board.
And finally ...
Teagan Zuniga of Modesto is taking part in the Data Science Summer Institute at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. She then will do an internship at the lab over the 2020-21 academic year.
Zuniga is entering her senior year as a political science major at the University of California, Merced. She received a $15,000 scholarship from the Livermore Lab Foundation to support her studies.
Names of Note recognizes people and organizations for their contribution to their communities. Submit items to jholland@modbee.com.
This story was originally published July 4, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
