CA Update - Risa Avalos

Theresa Avalos is a novice in creative endeavors, exploring the power of creativity to heal and give life to the mediocre of everyday occurrences that summon our gifts and talents to translate what the intellect can’t see.

Heart to Heart Through Music

I attended the dress rehearsal for the opera Cavalleria Rusticana with the Sacramento Philharmonic and Opera at our new Performing Arts Center here within the Sacramento Convention Center.

It was my very first in-person, live opera. I was smitten by the performance, and amazed by the skill of all the vocalists. I even cried, but I can’t say it was the plot that evoked those tears, for I have been the witness to my share of telenovelas and Shakespearean tragedies, which leave me often numb, or perhaps I’ve been indoctrinated into being accustomed to such an ending from all the cop shows, to the mega silver screen’s portrayal of the human condition of unfortunate events.

Since it was very clear to me that the voice, the sharp cry of the mezzo soprano’s frequency shot right into my heart, I just knew better not to fight it. it was that strong, that powerful. I was taken aback by it all, I rather enjoyed being so strongly influenced by the power of the orchestra, and the magnitude of the vocalists in telling a story through music. I felt alive and vulnerable by being taken over, even occupied by this story through music and song.

As I explored my very own, what is my purpose here in the land of strict humanness, an unexplainable, but palpable magic of the heart. I found my niche is in storytelling, some poetry and performance, some social media endeavors, and through writing and publications, has been my humble experience.

Recently I performed some poetry and I got choked up in the middle of it, the audience was so touched by it all which made it clear to me, so gentle and heartfelt, one man told me that he was crying before I did.

Ahh, I forgot my why, in writing poetry, to touch the lives of others, and I sunk deeper into understanding my why for writing songs, adding music to words to touch humanity; it is a privilege, and I know I will always be reminded that our music is a gift we give.

Leaving the land of words on a page to musical notes on a staff has been a whirlwind of thrills and exploration. But like packing up and moving to a new land with another language and culture, we know that after the buzz of newness, delight, and adventure, we experience a culture shock.

As I move and grow in the land of music, I understand that the discomfort is the growing pains of change, and I understand that it will balance out as I embody the life of a storyteller, a composer with her sights on touching hearts, igniting sparks, maybe an ember or even a flame.

I cannot really know who has been touched by anything I’ve created, and that is part of the sweetness of vulnerability when we give into the mystery of the vastness of music and performance. Like the wind, we have no say over its course or direction, and yet our intention and passion is its velocity.

Those who were part of this opera won’t know the course their love and commitment for music has touched me, but then again, they certainly know its power, for they deliver it from the expressive heart, and thus we connect heart to heart.

~ Risa Avalos