Jorge Peña Hen’s La Cenicienta: Sociopolitical development through compositional techniques

Jorge Peña Hen (1928–1973) was responsible for promoting cultural activities and music education throughout Chile, establishing a social youth movement based on participation in music, that resulted in the critically acclaimed Children’s Symphony Orchestra. In the weeks following the September 1973 coup d’état under Augusto Pinochet, the Caravan of Death executed at least 75 political prisoners, including Peña Hen. His opera for children, La Cenicienta (1966), written to be performed entirely by youth was suppressed under Pinochet’s regime, and remained so until revived interest in Peña Hen’s work were possible. I explore the importance of this opera through the lens of sociopolitical development, connecting his opera with his efforts to promote music through social equality. His widow, Nella, now in her 90s, and their daughter Maria, reflect through personal communication on the circumstances of La Cenicienta. Extracts of the original score are examined, and the link with the Venezuelan youth music movement known as El Sistema is discussed.