Zarzuela

Zarzuela (IPA /θarθ'wela/) is the Spanish lyrical opera. The name "zarzuela" is derived from "zarza" ("bramble"), for the bramble that grew outside the Palacio de la Zarzuela named for it. It is the residence of the Spanish royal family, outside Madrid; the opera style was named for the palace, where in the 17th century this kind of drama was held for the Spanish court.

The Italian influence

The 18th century saw the House of Bourbon ruling in Spain, and, with them, the reign of the Italian style in the arts; the zarzuelas of the 18th century grew to resemble Italian opera. But as Carlos III began his reign, the political and artistic climate rebelled against the Italian influence that had dominated it. With this rise of nationalism in Spain, the zarzuela was resurrected as a form able to free Spanish music from the Italian yoke.

Related Topics:
Bourbon - Carlos III

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The first apogee of the zarzuela occurred in the 1850's and 1860's, with the works of Francisco Asenjo Barbieri, Emilio Arrieta and Joaquín Gaztambide. The zarzuelas of the day included in their librettos various regionalisms and popular slang, such as that of Madrid castizos. Often, the success of a work was down to one or more songs that the public came to know and love. Despite some modifications the basic structure of the zarzuela remained the same: dialogue scenes, songs, choruses, and then in addition comic scenes generally performed by two actor-singers. The culminating masterpieces from this period

Related Topics:
Francisco Asenjo Barbieri - Emilio Arrieta - Joaquín Gaztambide - Castizos

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were Barbieri's ""Pan y toros"" and Gaztambide's ""El juramento"".

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