Acclaimed Mexican composer Daniel Catan's (Rappaccini Daughter, Florencia en el Amazonas, Salsipuedes) has adapted the popular 1994 film Il Postino as an opera, which was premiered by LA Opera in October 2010. Based on a novel by Antonio Skarmeta, Il Postino recounts the fictionalized story of Mario, a fisherman on a Mediterranean island whose life is transformed by the arrival of exiled Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. Pressed into service to deliver Neruda's mail, the newly ordained "postman" blossoms under Neruda's tutelage and develops a passion for poetry that serves him well in a new romance. Written especially for the legendary Placido Domingo, the production stars Domingo as Neruda, with Charles Castronovo as Mario. Directed by Ron Daniels and conducted by Grant Gershon, the production also features Amanda Squitieri, Cristina Gallardo-Domas and Nancy Fabiola-Herrera.
