MIGRANTS’ RESOUNDING ORATORIO PREMIERE
BERKELEY—Are our migrants heroes or opportunists? Decidedly heroes, in composer Jimmy López’s view. He made a strong case for them in his evocative world premiere oratorio “Dreamers,” featuring a sensitive libretto by Nilo Cruz. With the amazing maestro Esa-Pekka Salonen conducting, the 41-minute oratorio was unreeled at Zellerbach Hall March 17. “Dreamers” traces all migrants, from pre-history around the world, in an abstract story-telling. As it turns to the specific plight of the Dreamers and their followers across our frontiers…