“La Bruja”, the first zarzuela of the Palau de les Arts, begins its rehearsals in the Main Hall

11.01.2007

“La Bruja”, the first zarzuela programmed by the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, has begun rehearsals today in the Main Hall of the coliseum with all participants on stage; singers, Cor de la Generalitat, extras and ballet, directed by the stage director, Emilio Sagi.
“La Bruja”, which premieres on January 23, is the work of the Alicante composer, born in Villena, Ruperto Chapí (1851-1909).

The Palau de les Arts' first foray into the quintessential Spanish lyric-dramatic genre will feature Valencian Enrique García Asensio as musical director and the renowned Emilio Sagi as stage director.

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).

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

Theme: Ruperto Chapí “When Lyric Poetry Spoke Spanish”

To coincide with the performances of “La Bruja”, the Palau de les Arts has organized a new theme entitled “Ruperto Chapí. When lyricism spoke Spanish” which will take place in various chamber music concerts, lectures and debates.

Thus, a lecture by critic and musicologist Luis Iberni on this zarzuela is scheduled for January 24. This specialist will also moderate a debate entitled "Chapí, a Victim of His Time?", which will bring together various experts on the zarzuela genre on the same day.

In the concert section, a string quartet of professors from the Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana has been scheduled in the Aula Magistral on January 26th with a program of pieces by Chapí, as well as a Chamber Concert by the musical group Ensemble de Madrid, with works by the Alicante composer, for January 30th.

“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.