Instituto Cervantes, the Embassy of Spain, and the University of Santo Tomas, present a month-long cultural program highlighting the shared legacy of zarzuela in the Philippines. From August 1 to 28, a cultural celebration featuring weekly zarzuela screenings, an immersive zarzuela workshop, and a Zarzuela recital will take place in the Instituto Cervantes in Intramuros and the University of Santo Tomas.
The Zarzuela, considered to be one of the most treasured forms of art in the Spanish-speaking world, also happens to be the most popular cultural product in the Philippines for decades in history. It is the musical genre that truly left its mark in the history of the Philippine theater, as said in the timeless words of Nick Joaquin, “Certainly, in no other art form, whether in English, Spanish, or Tagalog, has the Filipino shown himself so much at home; and in no other, since then, has he been able to establish such close rapport with the people."
Entitled Zarzuela Viva, this month-long event will feature a weekly screening of zarzuelas throughout August. The series opens on August 1 at 3:00 p.m. with the screening of the documentary Tiempo de Zarzuela by Cristina Otero Roth at the Intramuros branch of Instituto Cervantes. On August 7, also at 3:00 p.m. at the same venue, audiences can enjoy a production by Teatro de la Zarzuela of the classic La del manojo de rosas by Pablo Sorozábal.
The third installment in the series will be a screening of Alfredo Sanzol’s production of El barberillo de Lavapiés by Francisco Asenjo Barbieri, scheduled for August 14. The final screening will feature El sobre verde by Jacinto Guerrero on August 28. These last two screenings will take place at 3:00 p.m. at the Central Laboratory Auditorium of the University of Santo Tomas (UST).
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| Ramón Grau |
Presented as the highlight of Zarzuela Viva, a 4-day Zarzuela Workshop will be conducted by Spanish pianist Ramón Grau from Teatro de La Zarzuela in Madrid. The workshop will be held at the Conservatory of Music of the University of Santo Tomas in Manila (UST) and is addressed to advanced students of music. Those interested in joining the workshop can reserve a spot by submitting their CV to cultmni@cervantes.es.
On August 26, as a result of the Zarzuela workshop led by pianist Ramón Grau, he and the participants will present Zarzuela-Sarswela, a concert featuring a selection of pieces from the classic Spanish zarzuelas El barberillo de Lavapiés and La del manojo de rosas from the screening, alongside works from Philippine sarswelas. The recital will be held at the Education Auditorium (4F Albertus Magnus Building), UST. This event is open to everyone, but attendees and participants are encouraged to register early through this link: https://forms.office.com/e/gqQYWUHzSb
Here is a detailed lineup of the films to be screened:
El barberillo de Lavapiés (2019)
Director/s: Alfredo Sanzol/Jose Miguel Pérez Sierra
El barberillo de Lavapiés is one of the most joyful and iconic pieces in the Spanish lyrical tradition. With music by Francisco Asenjo Barbieri and a libretto by Luis Mariano de Larra, this work has stood the test of time as a symbol of Madrid’s traditional spirit and musical theater. It’s considered a masterpiece of Spanish musical history and a shining example of both Madrilenian character and Hispanic lyrical art.
In this new production, stage director Alfredo Sanzol emphasizes the comic and adventurous aspects of the story, while staying true to its underlying pursuit of beauty. For Sanzol, comedy is a powerful and freeing tool, it allows us to explore life’s conflicts with both depth and lightness. The plot follows the charming and lovable characters Lamparilla and Paloma, whose story intertwines with the romantic entanglements of Marquesita Estrella and Don Luis. All of this unfolds against a political backdrop marked by the transition between the governments of Grimaldi and Floridablanca. The musical direction is led by José Miguel Pérez-Sierra, who brings out the richness of Barbieri’s score, considered one of the high points of the zarzuela genre. The collaboration between Barbieri and Larra resulted in a work that fully captures the essence of Madrid: a story set in 18th-century Madrid, with 19th-century music, and a timeless vitality that still resonates today.
La del Manojo de Rosas (1990)
This production of La del Manojo de Rosas, directed by Emilio Sagi, has become a modern classic of Spanish lyrical theatre. With music by Pablo Sorozábal and a libretto by Anselmo C. Carreño and Francisco Ramos de Castro, this zarzuela is one of the most beloved by audiences, thanks to its lively spirit, humor, and warm portrayal of Madrid in the 1930s.
Since its premiere in 1990, this version has been performed across Spain and even in cities like Rome and Paris, consistently earning praise from both audiences and critics. Sagi’s direction captures the charm and emotional depth of the sainete (a short, comic theatrical piece), giving it a fresh, updated look while staying true to its original character.
Set in a Madrid neighborhood, the story revolves around Ascensión and Clarita, two young, independent and determined women who represent the feminine awakening of a time of change.
Through their voices and their decisions, the play reflects a society in transformation, where Sorozábal's music-full of poetry, grace and emotion- becomes the soul of a close and universal story.
With a new cast and musical direction by Guillermo García Calvo, this production is just as exciting and powerful as it was 30 years ago. La del Manojo de Rosas is not only a tribute to Madrid during the Republican era, but also a celebration of zarzuela as a living art form—one that keeps evolving and continues to touch the hearts of new generations.
El sobre verde (2022)
Directors: Cecilia Bercovich/Nuria Castejón
El sobre verde is a sainete (theatrical humurous skit) in two acts with touches of revue, that is, a musical show set in the popular Madrid of a century ago and in the skyscraper-filled New York of the time. The music is by Francisco Guerrero and the original texts were written by Enrique Paradas and Joaquín Jiménez. In its time it was a huge success, and here we present a revised version of the piece for young audiences (and not-so-young ones). El sobre verde is a festive musical comedy full of songs, dancing, and humor. But in our version, it also offers a brief yet powerful reflection on fortune. In these hyper-connected, highly technological times, mediated by screens, when money governs the fate of the world when having is more important than being, when appearances, the number of ‘likes’, the brand of one’s clothes or the zeros in the bank account seem to matter more than friendship, loyalty or justice, Nicanor's fable, his journey from rags to riches and back again, leaves us with a bittersweet aftertaste and leads us to ask ourselves: what would we do if we found the green envelope?
Tiempo de Zarzuela (2023)
Director: Cristina Otero Roth
Tiempo de Zarzuela is an exciting immersion into the world of the Spanish lyrical genre that has endured for four centuries, becoming an invaluable treasure of the artistic and emotional memory of the Spanish-speaking community. Directed by Cristina Otero Roth and produced by López Li Films in 2023, this film transports us through the history and heritage of zarzuela, revealing its profound impact on Spanish culture and art.
The film delves into the roots of zarzuela, exploring its origins and evolution over the centuries. Through interviews with experts, musicians and actors, Tiempo de Zarzuela offers a unique insight into the importance of this genre in Hispanic culture and and its influence on music and theater both in Spain and beyond.
From the earliest zarzuelas to the most contemporary productions, the film presents a wide range of memorable moments and outstanding performances. It also provides a glimpse into the current landscape of zarzuela, demonstrating that it remains a vibrant and relevant form of artistic expression today. Tiempo de Zarzuela is a tribute to a genre that has touched the hearts of audiences around the world and continues to captivate new generations with its rich tradition and exciting interpretations.
Here is the schedule of screenings:
Instituto Cervantes, Intramuros
August 1, 2025, 3:00 PM
Tiempo de Zarzuela
August 7, 2025, 3:00 PM
La del Manojo de Rosas
Central Laboratory Auditorium, UST
August 14, 2025, 3:00 PM
El barberillo de Lavapiés
August 28, 2025, 3:00 PM
El sobre verde
Zarzuela Viva is organized by Instituto Cervantes de Manila in collaboration with the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines, AECID, the Conservatory of Music of UST, Teatro de La Zarzuela, and Intramuros Administration.
For more information about Zarzuela Viva, visit Instituto Cervantes' website at www.manila.cervantes.es, or follow it on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/InstitutoCervantesManila/
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