An evening of Zarzuela
By Charlotte Stace
The Barcelona Symphonic Band, conducted by Carlos Ramón, will perform an evening of Zarzuela at the Sant Pau Art Nouveau site.
Zarzuela is a Spanish lyric-dramatic genre that alternates between spoken and sung scenes, as well as dance. Satire, intrigue, incredible stories, passionate love affairs and a good dose of humour, combined with music full of colour and rhythm is what defines this musical tradition.
The evening will consist of a compilation of some of the best-known Zarzuelas: two of Ruperto Chapí’s most popular works, El Tambor de Granaderos and La Revoltosa; Amadeu Vives’ Bohemios; a historical transcription of La Venta de los Gatos by José Serrano, which is considered an opera and is one of the Valencian composer’s most profound compositions; Gigantes y Cabezudos by Manuel Fernández Caballero, where folklore takes centre stage; and La Gran Vía by Federico Chueca, a work that perfectly represents the comedy and exuberance of zarzuela.