“Armienta’s score is lush with cultural influences that highlight the vast musical palette of Latin and Hispanic artistic traditions.” – The Classical Review (Review of Armienta’s Zorro)

Composer Héctor Armienta considers himself neither Mexican nor American, but Mexican American. His work exists in and in between these two worlds. Drawing on his training as a classical composer, his mission is to reinvent classical music by incorporating musical forms from both sides of the border. Whether it be Mariachi, music Azteca, or corridos (folk songs) from the fields of central California, you can find elements of this music in much of his work. This approach allows him to explore what it means to be Mexican American through the lens of classical music and opera.

Armienta’s notable projects include Bless Me Ultima at OperaModesto, Zorro at Fort Worth Opera and Opera Santa Barbara, La Muerte at Ópera Cultura, and Mi Camino – an animated opera film that premiered at Ópera Cultura. Next season, Armienta’s projects include two productions of Zorro at Opera San Jose and Arizona Opera, Coyotes and Rabbits – A Bilingual Children’s Opera with Arizona Opera, as well as an immersive VR opera project titled Campesinos.