Concha Gómez assures that the zarzuela La Bruja will be a success with a different and modern staging

15.01.2007

The Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía presented today La Bruja, a work by Ruberto Chapí from Alicante that will premiere this coming Tuesday, January 23, and the first foray of Valencian theater into zarzuela.
The press conference was attended by the regional secretary of Culture, Concha Gómez, the Intendant of the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, Helga Schmidt; the musical director Enrique García Asensio; the stage director, Emilio Sagi; and the Valencian soprano and protagonist, Ana María Sánchez.

The regional secretary of Culture, Concha Gómez, has assured that La Bruja will be a success with a different and modern staging by Emilio Sagi in keeping with the architecture of the Valencian theater, which will allow the stage of the Palau de les Arts to be appreciated in all its fullness.

Concha Gómez also emphasized that productions like the zarzuela by Chapí from Alicante aim to make the Palau de les Arts not only an international benchmark but especially a benchmark for all citizens of the Valencian Community, "so that each of them feels it as their own."

“The Witch” will be offered at the Palau de les Arts in five performances, on January 23, 25, 28 and 31 and February 4.

The cast includes Valencian names such as soprano Ana María Sánchez (The Witch) and Silvia Vázquez (Rosalia). The list of singers is completed by Trinidad Iglesias (Magdalena); Jorge de León (Leonardo); Vincenç Esteve (Thyme); Alberto Arrabal (Inquisitor); and Nahuel del Piero (Priest).

For her part, the Director of the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, Helga Schmidt, highlighted that the selection of La Bruja is part of the Valencian theater's commitment to recovering Spanish and Valencian music.

In this regard, the Mayor emphasized the success of this first foray into zarzuela, as all available tickets sold out quickly. Therefore, she announced that for the next season, the Valencian opera house is considering programming one or two zarzuela concerts with the participation of the Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana and the Cor de la Generalitat Valenciana.

Helga Schmidt also announced that the Valencian soprano Ana María Sánchez, star of La Bruja, will perform two concerts at the Palau de les Arts with Maria José Montiel, conducted by Maestro García Asensio and with the presence of the Cor de la Generalitat Valenciana, in which they will perform arias and duets.

A modern staging

For his part, Enrique García Asensio highlighted the level of the Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana, although he asserted that the musical success of this work ultimately depends on the conductor.

Emilio Sagi also explained that the audience at the Valencia Coliseum will witness a modern and innovative staging of this work by the Alicante-born composer, in keeping with the building's architecture. "It's a 21st-century zarzuela with a highly architectural and spectacular staging, featuring historical costumes adapted for the occasion, as well as numerous changes to the set design and lighting."

Sagi also added that "21st-century zarzuela must have different parameters in its staging; we have to create a zarzuela for the audience of our time and that allows us to attract young people to this genre as well."

For her part, Ana María Sánchez, the Valencian soprano and star of the production, who is performing her first full zarzuela with this production, added that she feels “right at home performing in the Valencian theater.” The singer explained that it is a very musically complex role that involves playing with both low and extremely high notes.

“La Bruja” is a zarzuela in three acts, with a libretto by Miguel Ramos Carrión and Vital Aza that premiered at the Teatro de la Zarzuela in Madrid, on December 10, 1887, with great success.