Opera Talk: The Zarzuela (Prosser or Virtual)

While Italian opera was dominating most European stages during the seventeenth century, Spain was developing the zarzuela, a form of musical comedy combining singing and dialogue. By the eighteenth century, the zarzuela was thoroughly Italianized and saw its popularity decline dramatically. That would change in the nineteenth century when the zarzuela regained its Spanish roots and popularity. Sadly, it has never travelled well outside of Spain, and its many composers remain quite  unknown beyond their homeland.

Jeffrey Engel will discuss the history of the zarzuela and play some musical examples.