Saturday, November 23, 2024, 09:14
Good times for poetry. Logroño once again concentrates the attention of the genre with the inaugural gala of the 48th National Zarzuela Series of the CLA ‘Pepe Eizaga’, which is being held today in the City Hall Auditorium (at 7:30 p.m.). Together with the company’s choir, four young soloists will be the protagonists of the concert prior to a mini-festival that reaches its forty-eighth edition, loyal to Riojan fans of a genre that refuses to be small, recognized this year by the Government of Spain as ‘representative manifestation of intangible cultural heritage’.
In addition to the CLA choir, the cast of the gala has been selected from among those awarded in the last City of Logroño Singing Competition, held in September, which is also organized by the Logroño Amateur Lyric Company. One of the featured voices will be the winner, the Barcelona soprano Laura Brasó (1996), who a year earlier had placed second. Her operatic debut was in 2015 in the role of Frasquita in Bizet’s ‘Carmen’, a role she performed again years later at the Teatro de la Maestranza in Seville. Among other stage performances, it is worth mentioning the roles of Cherubino in ‘Le Nozze di Figaro’, Zerlina in ‘Don Giovanni’, Musetta in ‘La Bohème’ or Liù in ‘Turandot’.
Sofía Gutiérrez (from Santander) and Ainhoa López de Munain (from Vitoria) will also sing, respectively second and third prizes in female voices in the aforementioned contest. And the Cuban tenor Andrés Sánchez (Cuba), who won the special award from the CLA, will also do so. The latter made his debut at the age of twenty-four in the opera ‘Tosca’ and has represented, among other roles, Gustavo, the main character in the zarzuela ‘Los gavilanes’, at the Amaya Theater in Madrid. The four singers will be accompanied on piano by Ricardo Francia.
Already in December, the Zarzuela Series itself will consist of two performances at the Teatro Bretón, which will host the performance of two zarzuelas on the 1st and 14th (at 7:30 p.m.), both by the artistic team of the CLA. The first will be ‘Gigantes y Cabezudos’, by Manuel Fernández Caballero, with a libretto by Echegaray and Eizaguirre; and, the second ‘El canto del arriero’, by Fernando Díaz Giles, with a libretto by Adame and Torrado.
The orchestra that will accompany both performances will be directed by José Ángel Cabezón, director of the Logroño Municipal Band. Both zarzuelas will feature prominent lyrical figures in the main roles. Cristina Igea, professor at the Logroño Conservatory, will also participate as the female protagonist of ‘El Cantar del Arriero’. In addition, the ‘López Infante’ Dance Academy and La Orden de la Terraza will collaborate in ‘Gigantes y Cabezudos’.
The Zarzuela Cycle, together with the Ciudad de Logroño Singing Competition, is today the largest showcase of the CLA ‘Pepe Eizaga’, dedicated to cultural promotion since its foundation in 1929, focusing its activity on this genre as the greatest exponent of the Spanish lyric.
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**What strategies are being employed by the Logroño National Zarzuela Series to attract and engage younger audiences with this traditional art form?**
## World Today News Interview: Celebrating Zarzuela in Logroño
**Introduction**
Welcome to World Today News. Today, we delve into the vibrant world of Zarzuela with two esteemed guests, both deeply connected to its upcoming festival in Logroño. We’ll be discussing the resurgence of this traditional Spanish lyrical genre, the exciting lineup of performers, and its significance within the cultural landscape.
**Section 1: The Revival of Zarzuela**
* **Guest 1 (Zarzuela Expert/Historian):** Welcome. Zarzuela is seeing a resurgence in popularity. In your opinion, what factors contributed to its decline, and what’s fueling its renewed interest today?
* **Guest 2 (Vocal Performer/Teacher):** Can you share your perspective on Zarzuela’s appeal? What resonates with audiences, particularly younger generations, today?
**Section 2: The Logroño National Zarzuela Series: A Spotlight on Emerging Talent**
* **Guest 1:** This year’s Zarzuela Series is particularly noteworthy. What makes it unique, and how does it contribute to fostering new talent within the genre?
* **Guest 2:** From your experience, what challenges and rewards do young singers face when specializing in Zarzuela?
**Section 3: “Gigantes y Cabezudos” and “El canto del arriero”: A Glimpse into Traditional Themes**
* **Guest 1:** Both “Gigantes y Cabezudos” and “El canto del arriero” are classic Zarzuelas. How do these works reflect the cultural heritage of Spain, and what universal themes do they explore?
* **Guest 2:** What can audiences expect from the performance of these Zarzuelas in Logroño? What elements will make them truly special?
**Section 4: The Future of Zarzuela: Looking Ahead**
* **Guest 1:** With tangible cultural heritage recognition from the Spanish government, what are your hopes for the future of Zarzuela? How can it evolve while preserving its essence?
* **Guest 2:** What advice would you give to aspiring Zarzuela singers, and what message of encouragement would you share with potential new audience members?
**Closing**
Thank you both for providing such insightful perspectives. We’ve learned a great deal about the richness and dynamism of Zarzuela. We hope this interview encourages readers to explore this captivating art form and support the talented artists keeping its legacy alive.
