Synopsis
Act I
Act I begins as Cecilia recounts a dream in which the Lord has come to her requesting that she restore the “Ecce Homo” fresco. Beatriz, Cecilia's sister, doubts her ability to do the work because of poor eyesight and questionable skill. The mayor explains to the townspeople the details of the financial crisis they're facing and possible ways to improve tourism. Marcos, Cecilia's son, decides to commission the restoration of “Ecce Homo” as a gift to his wife, who also happens to be the granddaughter of Elías García Martínez, the original artist. The mayor agrees that a restored fresco might be an attractive addition to their marketing portfolio. The priest, who has been put in charge of finding the right restorer for the job, lets slip he may cut corners in his candidate search. But when Cecilia volunteers to do the job without pay, the priest readily accepts, if she will promise to never admit it was she who did the work. Buffeted by the town's financial woes Cecilia's son, Marcos, attempts to sell his struggling hotel and we learn of the guilt he feels for not being able to repay his mother's initial investment. Martinez, the ghost of the original artist, reminiscences on his carefree holidays spent in Borja as a boy. And a young couple, Arturo and Silvia, members of “the jobless generation,” consider leaving Borja for greener pastures. Adriana, the town's diva and Marcos' wife, makes a grand entrance, revealing she's been diagnosed with “Affluenza,” the “disease of having too much money.” Marco tells her of the planned restoration of her grandfather's fresco, which leaves her nonplussed, except to say it must not be carried out by his mother. Meanwhile, in the church, Cecilia begins work on the “Ecce Homo” fresco as the ghost of Artist Martinez anxiously looks on.
Act II
Act II opens rife with rumors that the fresco's restoration has gone awry. Agitated townspeople gather in the church to find the priest nervously guarding the veiled fresco. With a deft touch, Arturo lifts the drape to the great horror of those assembled, revealing Cecilia's failed attempt, before taking a selfie with the new “Ecce” which he posts to Facebook. As a mob forms to find Cecilia, the priest slyly reminds her that she has sworn an oath to not divulge its authorship. But when confronted by her son, Cecilia quickly confesses to the crime. Alerted to the growing controversy via the internet, swarms of curious tourists descend on Borja to experience “Potato Head Jesus,” for themselves. And as the town reels from the global humiliation, Arturo suggests they make the best of a bad situation and adapt the “Ecce Homo'' into a marketable brand. Factions form of those in agreement with this strategy and those opposed. Adriana is aghast at the crass, commercial proceedings, in conflict with her husband, Marcos, who’s delighted to see his hotel fully booked. Cecilia accepts responsibility for the botched job while the priest reveals that the money he was given to pay for the restoration was not used in a nefarious way, but to support an aged friend in the local nursing home. The mayor and the townspeople forgive Cecilia, hailing her the town’s new hero, as she forgives them for their cruel initial response. Finally able to reimburse his mother’s loan, Marcos reconciles with Cecilia and the opera ends with the ghost of Artist Martinez releasing his earthly ties and moving on. For the finale, the full ensemble sings “God Chose,” with lyrics from 1st Corinthians, verses 26–28.