March 24, 2024, 3 pm
This is the real deal! We are bringing you artists who specialize in Zarzuelas.
Passionate Melodies.
Stories brought to Life!
Singers, Musicians, fiery Dancers.
Feel the Heart of Spain.
VBHS Performing Arts Center
Behind the Scenes
Come along with us to Dress Rehearsal.
WHAT IS A ZARZUELA?
A ZARZUELA is a Spanish Opera.
The genre dates back to the seventeenth century, when the royal court threw big parties featuring local artists, and it was here that Zarzuelas emerged.
OURS HAS ENGLISH SUPERTITLES!
VBHS Performing Arts Center
The Big Picture
Scenes & Music from the following Zarzuelas:
Luisa Fernanda
by Federico Moreno Torroba
La boda de Luis Alonso
by Gerónimo Giménez
El barberillo de Lavapiés
by Francisco Asenjo Barbieri
Doña Francisquita
by Amadeu Vives i Roig
La tabernera del puerto
by Pablo Sorozábal
Los claveles
by José Serrano
Maravilla
by Federico Moreno Torroba
La marchenera
by Federico Moreno Torroba
Agustín Lara’s Granada
and Ernesto Lecuona’s Malagueña
4 Singers, plus 6 chorus members
12 Dancers, including members of Segovia Ballet Español (sponsored by Conservatory of the Arts Conchita Espinosa)
6 Musicians (piano, violin, cello, clarinet, trumpet, percussion)
Martín Nusspaumer
Tenor
Vero Beach Opera audiences know Martín as Rodolfo in our 2022 production of La Bohème, as Don José in our 2021 production of Carmen, and as Lt. BF Pinkerton in our 2018 production of Madama Butterfly. Martín “possesses star potential, with a tenor reminiscent of Domingo. His control of diction and intonation, phrasing, and deeply emotional delivery is stunning.” “Nusspaumer’s singing was excellent throughout, virile and showcasing a heroic tenor with clarion top notes.” South Florida Classical Review. Learn more here.
María Antúnez
Mezzo-Soprano
Vero Beach Opera audiences know María as Carmen in our 2021 production of Carmen, and as Madama Butterfly in our 2018 production of Madama Butterfly. “Impressive, remarkable, smoldering, an excellent artist with a flexible, dark voice of dramatic weight who added genuine human dimension to the story. Sterling silvery high notes, a creamy middle register and aristocratic bearing.” This is how the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and Huffington Post have written about this Uruguayan-American mezzo-soprano.
Eglise Gutiérrez
Soprano
Born in Holguin, Cuba, Eglise has sung in some of the most prestigious venues of the world, including Teatro Colon Buenos Aires, Wexford Festival, Rome, Zurich, Trieste, Florence, Cagliari, Carnegie Hall, Savonlinna, Berlin, Bellas Artes (Mexico), Tel Aviv, Hamburg, Athens, La Monnaie, Brussels, the Santa Fe Festival, Cincinnati Opera, Florida Grand Opera, Washington Concert Opera, Caramoor Festival, L'Opéra Comique and the Seattle Opera. Learn more here.
Nelson Martinez
Baritone
Vero Beach Opera audiences know Cuban-American baritone Nelson from our 2015 production of Il Tabarro. He began his operatic career at the young age of 19 singing to great praise and critical acclaim throughout opera houses around the world, with a variety of Italian and French Operas, as well as Cuban and Spanish Zarzuelas. He joined the Metropolitan Opera’s roster in 2016 covering Count di Luna in The Met’s production of Il trovatore and returned in 2017 singing the role of Monterone in Rigoletto and Giorgio Germont in La traviata to great reviews. For his performance of Nabucco in Nabucco with Florida Grand Opera, critics described Nelson as “the real deal, his voice is huge, his presence powerful, and when necessary, scaled down for moments of sensitivity and pathos. The sweetness that is essential for the father-daughter duets is mesmerizing. This is a true Verdi baritone.”
Chee-Hang See
Pianist-Arranger
Chee-Hang See is a prize-winning Singaporean pianist, conductor, and composer who has been called "a cool and confident performer" by the Charleston City Paper. After an appearance at the Piccolo Spoleto Festival, CharlestonToday.net wrote that "he displayed absolute clarity and through his refined dynamic range brought gorgeous contrasts to each section" and is termed an “expert and sympathetic collaborator” by Fanfare Magazine. Learn more here.
Musicians
South Florida Zarzuela Ensemble
Chee-Hang See, Piano & Arrangements
Siobahn Cronin, Violin
Aaron Merritt, Cello
Nataniel Farrar, Clarinet
Jeffrey Kaye, Trumpet
Graham Viegut, Percussion
Marisol Moreno
Director, Zarzuela Dancers
Marisol Moreno is a native of Madrid. She was artistically guided by Pacita Tomas, Joaquin Villa, and Juan Sierra and began her career touring Europe with the Juan Sierra Ballet Company. Marisol continued her studies in Amor de Dios under the guidance of María Magdalena, “Ciro”, Cristóbal Reyes, Paco Romero, “El Güito”, “Manolete”, Merche Esmeralda, “La Tati”, Pedro Azorín, and Julio Príncipe, among others. She formed part of Cristóbal Reyes’ flamenco company, with whom she inaugurated the tablao “Zambra” where she danced alongside figures such as Adrián Galia, Antonio Canales and Joaquín Cortés. Learn more here.
Dancers
including members of Segovia Ballet Español
Marisol Moreno (Dance Director)
Carolina Celeste Melcon
Elisabela A. Valls
Segovia Ballet Español members Alejandra Alvarez, Andrea Anderson, Isabela Atienza, Gabriella Cuesta, Leah Fornaris, Sofia Morales, Isabela Ramirez-Guiribitey, Lucia Ramirez-Guiribitey, and Briana Robaina. (Segovia Ballet Español is sponsored by Conservatory of the Arts Conchita Espinosa).
Teatro de la Zarzuela
English Supertitles
English Supertitles for our performance are courtesy of Teatro de la Zarzuela. Since its inauguration in 1856, Madrid’s Teatro de La Zarzuela has been steadfast in its primary mission to recover, preserve, review, and disseminate the Spanish lyrical heritage, particularly the zarzuela. Through its performances, educational programs, and community outreach efforts, the Teatro de La Zarzuela continues to uphold its commitment to nurturing a deeper appreciation for zarzuela among its audience, ensuring that this unique art form thrives for generations to come.
Curtain Countdown
SCENES FROM ZARZUELAS - MARCH 24