Program Notes
Mariposa Que Vuela is an autobiographical recital by internationally acclaimed soprano Cecilia Violetta López, presented by Opera Idaho. Through mariachi, ranchera, and opera, López shares her extraordinary journey—from working in the fields alongside her mother to performing on opera stages around the world.
“This is my life’s story, told with music and images from my childhood to the present day,” says López. “It shows the audience the two musical worlds I am straddling, from where I started, working in the field with my mother, to the world of opera.”
Blending songs taught to her by her mother with beloved operatic arias and traditional Mexican music, Mariposa Que Vuela is more than a recital—it’s a heartfelt tribute to family, culture, and the power of music to transcend boundaries. Vivid storytelling, personal photos, and an unforgettable voice come together in this moving and vibrant celebration of identity and artistry.
Cecilia, a Mexican-American native of Rupert, Idaho, got her musical start at a young age singing mariachi music that she learned from her mother. She earned a Bachelor of Music degree (vocal performance) from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 2011. She has received accolades for her performances from The New York Times, The Washington Post, has been featured on NPR, Idaho Public Television, Univision and Telemundo, and many other news outlets across the country.
Cecilia has become a voice for her art form and constantly shares the story of her Idahoan roots, humble upbringing, hard work and career’s trajectory. She is now on the artist roster of the Metropolitan Opera, has sung at Carnegie Hall, she has an exhibit at the Idaho State Museum and an additional exhibit at the Minidoka County Historical Society Museum in her hometown of Rupert. USA Today named Cecilia one of Idaho’s Top 10 Most Influential Women of the Century. Cecilia is also the recipient of an Idaho State Concurrent Resolution honoring her life as an Idahoan and her work in the world of opera.
