Luisa Fernanda, first zarzuela by Plácido Domingo at the Palau de les Arts

Domingo is the star of a cast with outstanding performers such as Davinia Rodríguez, Isabel Rey, Celso Albelo and José Bros

Valencia. The Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía premieres this Monday, December 15, Luisa Fernanda , by Moreno Torroba, the first zarzuela sung by Plácido Domingo at the Valencian arts center.

The undisputed star of the start of the 2014-2015 season, Plácido Domingo plays the role of Vidal Hernando in this work, directed by Jordi Bernàcer from Alcoy and performed in a production by Emilio Sagi, with costumes by Pepa Ojanguren and lighting by Eduardo Bravo.

As Plácido Domingo pointed out during the presentation, “ Luisa Fernanda is the work I have seen the most times in my life, since my parents were zarzuela singers and I have heard it since I was in my mother's arms. It is a zarzuela of very high quality with extraordinary melodies.”

This is the fourth zarzuela that Sagi has presented in Valencia. The renowned director from Oviedo is the creator of the Valencian productions of * La Bruja* and *El rey que rabió* , both by Ruperto Chapí. He also conducted *El dúo de 'La Africana' * by Fernández Caballero in October 2012, the first foray into this genre by the Centre de Perfeccionament Plácido Domingo.

In Luisa Fernanda, Emilio Sagi proposes a clean, balanced and rigorous staging, in which he has used a freestanding, linear and minimalist black and white set design, as the director from Oviedo explained at its premiere.

Luisa Fernanda is a Teatro Real production that, as Plácido Domingo pointed out at a press conference, originated at La Scala in Milan and has also been performed in Washington, Los Angeles, Miami, Madrid, Oviedo, Valladolid, and Vienna. It will soon premiere in Paris.

The production arrives in Valencia as a result of an exchange agreement. The Teatro Real is lending Luisa Fernanda to the Palau de les Arts in exchange for the Valencian production of Fidelio , which is being performed in Madrid in 2015.

The cast also includes leading Spanish stars such as tenors Celso Albelo and José Bros in the role of Javier Moreno, Davinia Rodríguez from the Canary Islands (Luisa Fernanda), and Isabel Rey from Valencia (Duchess Carolina). Celso Albelo, from Tenerife, making his debut in this role, will sing Javier on December 15, 18, and 22. José Bros, who has already sung this same production alongside Domingo, will portray the handsome colonel on January 9 and 12.

The cast is completed by María José Suárez (Mariana), Emilio Sánchez (Saboyano), Sandra Ferrández (Rosita), Miguel Sola (Nogales), Vicenç Esteve (Aníbal / Vareador), Juansa Lloret (Don Florito), David Rubiera (Bizco Porras) and the singers from the Centre de Perfeccionament Plácido Domingo David Fruci (Don Lucas) and Germán Olvera (Capitán).

Luisa Fernanda is set during the final years of Isabella II's reign, which would end with the 1868 revolution and the Sexenio Democrático (Democratic Six-Year Period). Monarchists and republicans, Carlists and revolutionaries surround the love story between Luisa Fernanda and Javier Moreno, a rapidly rising military officer who rarely visits her. The powerful Duchess Carolina and the amorous advances of the landowner Vidal Hernando toward Luisa Fernanda mark the couple's trials, whose love will ultimately triumph thanks to the kind heart of Vidal Hernando, a native of Extremadura.

Premiered on March 26, 1932 at the Teatro Calderón in Madrid, Luisa Fernanda achieved immediate success, becoming one of the most recognized and performed works of the genre, whose acceptance and popularity remain to this day.

The Main Hall will host four more performances of Luisa Fernanda , by Moreno Torroba. December 18 and 22, as well as January 9 and 12.