Noche de Serenatas: Zarzuela, Mariachi, and More

Monday, May 25, 2026 • 7:30 PM

Idaho Shakespeare Festival

Telling Stories through Music and Dance

A night of irresistible rhythm, soaring voices, and shared celebration, Noche de Serenatas brings together the passion of Spanish Zarzuela and the electrifying sound of Mariachi in one unforgettable evening. Opera, folk tradition, dance, and chorus intertwine as Opera Idaho joins forces with Mariachi Sol de Acapulco, Biotzetik Basque Choir, Flamenco Idaho, and a lineup of internationally acclaimed Latin-American crossover vocalists under the dynamic direction of Cuban-American conductor, Iván del Prado. From sweeping melodies to fiery dance and festive ensemble moments, this is music meant to be felt as much as heard. Experience Latin musical traditions not as separate worlds, but as one vibrant celebration of the rich musical traditions that shape our stories.

Iván del Prado
Conductor

A distinguished Cuban-American conductor, Iván is acclaimed for his interpretations of Romantic and 20th-century repertoire across symphonic, operatic, and ballet stages. His career has included collaborations with artists such as José Carreras and Victoria de Los Angeles, and engagements with companies including the Cuban National Ballet and the Staatsoper Unter den Linden Ballet. A dedicated educator, he founded the Cuban National Youth Orchestras and has taught internationally throughout the Americas and Europe.

Kelli Brown
flamenco idaho artistic director

A dynamic dancer, choreographer, and educator, Kelli Brown is the founder of Off Center Dance and Artistic Director of Flamenco Idaho. Her work spans modern dance and flamenco, with extensive study in Spain supported by multiple grants. She has choreographed more than 30 works, performed nationally, and taught at institutions including Boise State University and Idaho Arts Charter School. Brown holds advanced degrees in dance and has received numerous regional and national arts fellowships.

Biotzetic Basque Choir
Founded in 1986, Biotzetik, meaning “from the heart,” is the only regularly rehearsing Basque choir in the United States. Based in Boise, Idaho, the ensemble preserves and shares Basque language and choral traditions, with performances ranging from Jaialdi and Festara! with the Boise Philharmonic Orchestra to the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Biotzetik has been under the direction of Patty Gabica Haas since 1998 and is a recipient of the Idaho Governor’s Award in the Arts.
mariachi sol de acapulco

Founded in 1984, Mariachi Sol de Acapulco is a professional ensemble dedicated to promoting cultural awareness through traditional mariachi music. The group has performed for former Mexican President Vicente Fox and notable figures including Tom Hanks and Bill Gates, and has collaborated with renowned ensembles such as Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán and Los Camperos de Nati Cano, as well as recording artists Yolanda del Río and Erasmo Catarino.