Palau de les Arts: La Verbana de la Paloma
Valencia, Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia — Sala Principal
About the Event
On 17 February 1894, at Madrid’s Teatro de Apolo, Tomás Bretón and Ricardo de la Vega unknowingly raised a flag in the Flanders of Spanish lyric theatre. In barely an hour, they fused grand zarzuela with the spirit of the stage tonadilla and the sainetes of Juan de la Cruz and Juan del Castillo to premiere *La Verbena de la Paloma, o el Boticario y las Chulapas y Celos Mal Reprimidos*. A portrait of Madrid shaped by realism, sharpened with wise, biting caricature, its musical language stands out for its clear use of leitmotif, serving a purpose identical to Wagner’s in a score that foreshadowed both the cuplé and the musical revue, and inspired Ramón María del Valle‐Inclán’s grand idea of the esperpento, masterfully contained within a small jar.
The successful Teatro de la Zarzuela production of *La Verbena de la Paloma* bears Nuria Castejón’s signature while paying tribute to Madrid’s vanished Teatro de Apolo, where the famous sainete premiered. The concept begins with a prologue by Álvaro Tato, “Adiós, Apolo,” preceding Bretón’s work: a company rehearses *La Verbena* for an Apolo performance, enabling the inclusion of musical excerpts and scenes from other works celebrating our lyric genre. It also honours historic zarzuela performers through contemporary artists including Borja Quiza and Carmen Romeu as Julián and Susana, the formidable Milagros Martín as Señá Rita, and the luxurious Don Hilarión of Barcelona singer‐actor Antoni Comas — all conducted by the experienced baton of José Miguel Pérez‐Sierra.
Program
- Tomás Bretón – La Verbana de la Paloma
Cast / Production
Conductor: José Miguel Pérez‐Sierra
Stage director and choreographer: Nuria Castejón
Set designer: Nicolás Boni
Costume designer: Gabriela Salaverri
Lighting designer: Albert Faura Barrero
Don Hilarión: Antoni Comas
Don Sebastián: Emilio Sánchez
Julián: Borja Quiza
Señá Rita: Milagros Martín
Susana: Carmen Romeu
Casta: Ana San Martín
Tía Antonia: Gurutze Beitia
Cantaora: Sara Salado
Tabernero: Rafa Castejón
Portero: Alberto Frías
Sereno: Mitxel Santamarina
Doña Severiana: Ana Goya
Cor de la Generalitat Valenciana
Chorus master: Jordi Blanch Tordera
Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana
Address
Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia, Avenida del Professor López Piñero, 1, Valencia, Spain — Google Maps
