Dolores is the second complete length opera to be commissioned and developed by West Edge Opera. Dolores was initially commissioned in 2021.

Dolores Huerta is a legend in the fight for farm workers’ rights. In June of 1968, the movement lost a major ally and Dolores lost a friend when Senator Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated. The opera focuses on Dolores’ struggles, triumphs, and tragedies during some of the most iconic and charged weeks of American history.

Commissioners & Supporters Include: Steve Fletcher & Carl Croft, Christina & Kenneth Hecht, Terry McKelvey & Heli Roiha, Heidi Munzinger & Jonn Shott, William & Linda Scheiber, Carol Franc Buck Foundation, Alice Ditson Fund, The Fleishhacker Foundation, Sam Mazza Foundation, Phyllis Wattis Foundation, The National Endowment for the Arts, and Zellerbach Foundation.

The development of Dolores is taking place over the course of three years, with a series of milestones built into the process including:

January 2022 | A libretto reading with actors from Campo Santo at The Magic Theatre, led by Sean San Jose.

January 2023 | A piano-vocal workshop of Dolores at The Order of Odd Fellows, led by conductor Mary Chun and dramaturg Karina Gutiérrez.

August 2023 | Preview Performance at The Taube Atrium Theater in San Francisco.

August 2024 | A complete piano vocal workshop at The Oakland Scottish Rite Center.