This Hispanic Heritage Month, new AGMA member Judith Rodriguez shares her personal path—from childhood memories filled with music, family gatherings, and vibrant cultural traditions, to discovering her voice as an opera singer. In her own words, the soprano reflects on the roots, inspirations, and milestones that have defined her journey, and how she continues to honor her heritage through music.
Mi canto através de los años.
The scent of my mother’s cooking or my dad’s backyard barbecues, the music of Rigo Tovar, the vibrant colors of a family gathering; these are the things that filled my childhood. My roots run deep in Hispanic culture, a heritage rich with stories, passion, and a determined spirit. This is the world that shaped me, the world that gave me my voice, and the world that continues to inspire my journey as an opera singer.
As a kid, opera was not a familiar sound in our household. We were more accustomed to the lively cumbias that celebrated our traditions. But when I first heard the triplets of the Habanera, a different kind of music took hold of me. It was a language I didn’t yet understand, yet it pierced my heart on a profound level. It was in the passion and drama of Carmen that I found a new way to express the emotions and stories I had grown up with.
My journey as a Hispanic artist in the world of opera has been a unique one. In 2015, I curated my first all-Spanish recital and presented it at the Latino Cultural Center in Dallas. Three years later, I curated an all-Zarzuela program for a Spanish organization in San Antonio, Texas. From there, they recommended me to the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where I presented the same program in Washington, D.C. That same year, I participated in Maria de Buenos Aires with Fort Worth Opera. The following year, I participated in the workshop for El Último Sueño de Frida & Diego, under the guidance of librettist Nilo Cruz and composer Gabriela Lena Frank. Finally, the music director from Fort Worth Opera contacted me directly about being part of the first cast in Hector Armienta’s Zorro.
Unfortunately, when the pandemic began, I was unable to perform the role. In 2023, I released my first album, Dreams of Gold: Zarzuela Arias by Barbieri, in honor of the Spanish composer and one of the founding fathers of Spanish Zarzuela.
Hispanic Heritage Month is a time for me to reflect on my journey. It’s a month to celebrate the incredible contributions of Hispanic people to art, culture, and society. It’s a time to honor the artists who came before me, those who broke and continue to break down barriers. It’s also a time to look forward, to inspire the next generation. This month, I have the opportunity to sing Spanish Zarzuela at The Dallas Opera, and it always brings me great joy knowing that someone in the audience will hear these melodies for the first time.
As Jennifer Lopez said in the film, Selena, “Estoy muy…excited!” – Judith Rodriguez