Les Arts premieres ‘La tabernera del puerto’ by Sorozábal
22.10.2019
The Palau de les Arts premieres 'La tabernera del puerto' by Pablo Sorozábal on Sunday, October 27, in the Main Hall, as part of the 'Les Arts és Sarsuela' program.
The artistic director of Les Arts, Jesús Iglesias Noriega, presented this title today, accompanied by Guillermo García Calvo, musical director; Mario Gas, stage director, and the Valencian tenor Antonio Gandía.
“As I announced in my presentation, zarzuela will have a constant presence during this period, hence its dedicated section in the season. It is a genre that is part of our heritage, one that we must recover, promote, and elevate,” Iglesias Noriega explained.
“Therefore,” he continued, “a very representative title has been chosen, one that is considered one of the last great zarzuelas in history, which we present to you, moreover, with the best artistic resources.”
The musical direction is in the hands of Guillermo García Calvo, one of the most prominent conductors at the Vienna State Opera, where he has led more than 200 performances. The Madrid native will conduct the resident ensembles of Les Arts, the Cor de la Generalitat, and the Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana, along with a cast of specialists in the genre.
García Calvo, who previously worked with the OCV in 2013, emphasized the high quality of the score, “comparable to Ravel and Debussy, in which every measure is a true gem.” In this regard, the Madrid-born conductor also highlighted the brilliance of the music, capable of captivating both the novice and the most knowledgeable listener.
Mario Gas, one of the great names of the national scene, signs this production of the Teatro de la Zarzuela, which has received praise from the public and critics since its premiere last year in Madrid.
Internationally renowned professionals make up the creative team, with Ezio Frigerio and Riccardo Massironi in charge of set design, Oscar winner Franca Squarciapino in charge of costumes, Vinicio Cheli in charge of lighting, Aixa Guerra for stage movement and Álvaro Luna as responsible for projections.
The actor, director and also cultural manager recalled his relationship with this zarzuela, to which he has been linked even before he was born, since his father was playing the role of Simpson when he was born.
"It is an adventurous, fantastical script that takes place in a gloomy marine location, a perfect setting for gossip, which contrasts with the desire for freedom of the main couple, and where there is also no lack of humor."
Valencians Marina Monzó (Marola) and Antonio Gandía (Leandro) make their debut at Les Arts with this title, whose cast also includes renowned singers who return, such as Àngel Òdena (Juan de Eguía) and Rubén Amoretti (Simpson).
The demands placed on the performers are extremely high, according to Mario Gas, since we not only need singers who are actors, but also actors who are singers.
The soprano Ruth González (Abel), the actress Vicky Peña (Antigua), the actors Ángel Ruiz (Ripalda) and Pep Molina (Chinchorro), the bass Abel García (Verdier) and the actors Gaizka Ugarte (Fulgen), Vicent Domingo (Senén) and Ángel Burgos (Valeriano) complete the cast of the production.
In addition to the premiere on October 27, subsequent performances will take place on October 29 and 31, as well as November 2 and 3. Tickets, for the more affordable performances, range from €8 to €60.
In Cantabreda
'The Tavern Keeper of the Port' is set in the fictional coastal city of Cantabreda, right in the port, where Marola's tavern is located. No one knows her origins; they only know that her business was financed by the bandit Juan de Eguía, whom everyone believes to be her husband.
Leandro, a local fisherman, falls in love with Marola. At the same time, Abel, an accordion player, is also captivated by her charms, though his feelings are not reciprocated. The women of the village grow weary and reproach Marola for driving the city men mad, much to the fury of Juan de Eguía.
'Pre-release ends on the 28th'
The Palau de les Arts reserves the preview of this zarzuela, on Friday, October 25, for those under 29 years of age, within the new proposal 'Preestrena fins a 28', which begins this weekend.
As explained by the theater's artistic director, Jesús Iglesias Noriega, the purpose of this initiative is for "young audiences to recognize themselves as part of Les Arts, which is why we are dedicating an entire performance to them. With the exception of the staff serving the public, there will be no one over the age of 28 in the Main Hall that day."
Les Arts introduces in Valencia a proposal that enjoys great acceptance in the great European opera houses and which, with a symbolic price of ten euros per ticket, aims to incorporate opera into the leisure activities agenda of the youngest.
'Perspectives'
Next Monday, November 28, Les Arts launches a new series of discussions about the operatic productions of the 2019-2020 season. Under the name 'Perspectives', and in collaboration with Amics de l'Òpera i de les Arts, Guillermo García Clavo and Mario Gas will hold a discussion with the audience attending this free event in the Aula Magistral.
