Foster created a 50-minute backdrop film for Concierto Para Mendez, an opera-oratorio-concerto, which premiered at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. The project will air on PBS' KCET Television, October 15, 2009 at 10 p.m. The project celebrates the life of legendary trumpet soloist Rafael Mendez. The performance was supported by a 65-piece orchestra, four operatic voices and a solo trumpeter.
The film brought Mendez’ career to life through photo animations, recreations of the Mexican
revolution and photography of Mendez’ original scores and trumpets. Sixty damaged photos were re-touched, and then hand colored. Five video segments tailored to stand-alone orchestral pieces were built, and a four minute stand alone music video was crafted for the character of Amor.
Original photography of Mendez scores were shot by Foster at the Rafael Mendez Library in Phoenix, Arizona. Score composed by Lee Holdridge, libretto by Richard Sparks. Directed by Dan Guerrero.
Excerpts of this work can be viewed in reels.
Excerpt from the 50 minute film created for Concierto Para Mendez | 01:00
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