The best art crosses borders. It transcends media, culture, and even language, reaching people on a visceral, human level—one that communicates in colour, sound, and, above all, feeling.

Two new arts events in New York bring this concept to life with fresh eyes. In celebration of iconic 20th-century Mexican artists Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, MoMA exhibition Frida and Diego: The Last Dream coincides with El Último Sueño de Frida y Diego at The Metropolitan Opera.

In a first-of-its-kind collaboration between these two cornerstone artistic institutions, their complementary shows explore Kahlo and Rivera’s works and legacies, both as individuals and as a couple. On show at the MoMA until September 12, Frida and Diego: The Last Dream exhibits works by both artists in an immersive space designed by the opera’s set and co-costume designer Jon Bausor. And El Último Sueño de Frida y Diego, which runs until June 5, presents American composer Gabriela Lena Frank‘s magical-realist imagination of the love story between Kahlo and Rivera, including a libretto by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Nilo Cruz.

Presented by Rolex, El Último Sueño de Frida y Diego also honours the luxury watchmaker’s continued support of the performing arts. Aside from its ongoing partnership with many of the world’s leading opera houses (including The Metropolitan Opera), Rolex also has a testimonee in the Grammy-winning Canadian conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin, who has been The Metropolitan Opera’s Jeanette Lerman-Neubauer Music Director since the 2018-19 season.

“Music is for everyone to enjoy,” says Nézet-Séguin in a statement. “It’s part of human nature.”

Music and visual art are similar in that way, each medium made more powerful by the other. When they come together, even greater magic awaits.

Feature image courtesy of MoMA.