Have you ever wondered how Evan Mack was inspired to write the opera "Angel of the Amazon"? After Sister Dorothy Stang's martyrdom in the Amazon rainforest, her story of courage, faith and commitment to justice continues to inspire new generations. Among those touched by her legacy is composer and librettist Evan Mack, who transformed her life into this acclaimed opera. The Angel of the Amazon opera was produced by ENCOMPASS Mainstage Production in 2011.
Interview with Evan Mack during the Seed of Inspiration event in Cincinnati, Ohio, on February 10, 2025, to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Sister Dorothy's martyrdom.
Mack's journey with Sister Dorothy's story began on an unlikely Saturday morning in November 2005 at St. Anthony's Church in Madisonville, Ohio. As the church's music director, he had planned to spend his weekend as newlyweds often do — focusing on his young marriage and graduate studies. Instead, he found himself at an early morning spiritual development meeting where Sister Kathleen Harmon shared the remarkable story of Sister Dorothy Stang.
The account was both heartbreaking and inspiring: how Sister Dorothy had dedicated her life to helping people made poor live sustainably in the Amazon, and how on the day before her murder, when gunmen appeared at her door, she blessed them, fed them and showed them maps of where she lived. When they returned the following day, she pulled out her Bible, declaring it her only weapon, and began reading the Beatitudes before being shot.
"I don't know why, but I said, this sounds like an opera," Mack recalls of that moment. "And I said, this is what I'm going to do."
That moment of inspiration launched Mack into extensive research, connecting with the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur who welcomed him with open arms. They shared Dorothy's letters from 1969 to just a week before her death, providing intimate glimpses into her spiritual journey and deepening commitment to the Brazilian people and land. Among those he consulted was Sister Joan Krimm, SNDdeN, who shared insights about Sister Dorothy's early experiences and journey.
Music as Language of Transformation
What emerged from Mack's research was not just a compelling narrative but a unique musical approach that mirrored Dorothy's transformation. Her letters, which began formally in English, gradually incorporated Portuguese words, then entire paragraphs, reflecting her growing connection to Brazilian culture.
"She told me how to tell the music," Mack explains through her letters. "Her opening aria sounds very much like a hymn from church. And then as her mission progresses, she starts adopting the Brazilian harmonies, the Brazilian languages, and the musical language."
This musical evolution culminates in the opera's climactic moment when Dorothy realizes her mission may continue without her. At that point, she "assumes the entire harmony and music and rhythm and spirit of the Brazilian harmony she was exposed to."
A Legacy of Action
For Mack, Sister Dorothy's story resonates powerfully with contemporary challenges. Her conversations from decades ago about environmental protection, social justice and authentic community engagement feel remarkably current.
"In a world filled with noise, right, and a lot of talking and a lot of saying, but very little doing, she showed us a way of doership," Mack reflects. "She showed us a way to roll up your sleeves and commit."
The composer sees Dorothy's approach as fundamentally different from superficial activism. True change, he notes, requires sustained commitment — not just helping once, but returning repeatedly, asking deeper questions about why problems exist, and working to address root causes.
"Understanding that if you want to help in your local community, it's not posting something on social media saying, hey, we need help. It's actually going there and not going there once, but going there and doing the work that needs to be done," he says.
Continuing Influence
Through "Angel of the Amazon," Mack hopes to channel Dorothy's legacy of using empathy as a bridge between people. He sees music as a unique vehicle for this connection, believing "music is the gateway to empathy."
The opera serves not just as an artistic tribute, but as a call to action that Dorothy might have recognized. Her influence continues to shape Mack's work, pointing him toward projects that explore social justice themes and challenge audiences to move beyond passive observation to active engagement.
As we mark the 20th anniversary of Sister Dorothy Stang's martyrdom, her story — preserved in operatic form — reminds us that true discipleship requires courage, persistence, and a willingness to serve where others may not choose to go. Through Mack's musical interpretation, her voice continues to call people to the transformative work of justice, education, and care for our common home.