Glossary

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Zarzuela

Zarzuela (a reference to the palacio de la Zarzuela where the theatrical and musical evenings known as the Fiesta de la Zarzuela are held) is a genre of Spanish lyrical theatre that emerged in the 17th century, combining drama, music, singing and spoken dialogue (on the model of the French opéra-comique or operetta).

 

Zarzuela is a popular musical genre in Spain, which has enjoyed a revival since the 1970s. Since 1998, Madrid's Teatro de la Zarzuela has been devoted to this musical genre. Many great opera singers have also performed zarzuela, including Victoria de los Ángeles, Teresa Berganza, Montserrat Caballé, Alfredo Kraus, José Carreras and Plácido Domingo (a great promoter of zarzuela outside Spain).