Exoticism and Tradition in Latin American Opera: Appropriations and Resistances

Apropiaciones y Resistencias

Abstract

This article explores the presence of exoticism in Latin American operas written between the 19th and 21st centuries, analyzing how the idea of the "exotic" contributes to shaping a regional cultural identity. Drawing from authors such as Edward Said and Ralph Locke, and from musicological debates surrounding identity and representation, the text examines both the staging and the musical construction of the "Other" in various operas that incorporate indigenous or Afro-descendant themes. The article argues that exoticism, while emerging from a colonial and Eurocentric logic, is resignified by Latin American composers as a space of resistance and affirmation. By analyzing specific operatic cases, the article reveals how the appropriation and transformation of exotic elements help construct a unique narrative about Latin American cultural identity.