Composer

:

Tomás Bretón

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Zarzuela

Compose Date

:

1894

Average_duration

:

34:42

La Verbena de la Paloma is a zarzuela, a Spanish operetta, composed by Tomás Bretón in 1894. The plot revolves around the celebration of the feast of the Virgin of La Paloma in Madrid, where a group of characters come together to enjoy the festivities. The main characters are Julian, a young man in love with Susana, a seamstress who lives with her mother, Casta, and her aunt, Dona Rita. Julian's friend, the barber Lamparilla, helps him in his pursuit of Susana, but they face obstacles in the form of Don Hilarión, a wealthy older man who also desires Susana, and the jealous Casta. The opera is set in Madrid in the late 19th century and captures the lively and colorful atmosphere of the city during the festival. The music is characterized by lively dance rhythms, catchy melodies, and Spanish folk influences. The most famous aria from the opera is "De Madrid a la Paloma," which has become a popular Spanish folk song. La Verbena de la Paloma premiered on July 17, 1894, at the Teatro Apolo in Madrid and was an immediate success. It has since become one of the most popular zarzuelas in the Spanish repertoire and is regularly performed in Spain and around the world. The opera is divided into three acts and features a variety of musical styles, including waltzes, polkas, and habaneras. The first act introduces the characters and sets the scene for the festival, while the second act focuses on the romantic entanglements of Julian, Susana, and Don Hilarión. The third act features a lively dance sequence and a happy resolution to the various plotlines. Overall, La Verbena de la Paloma is a charming and entertaining opera that captures the spirit of Madrid and the joy of celebration. Its catchy melodies and lively rhythms have made it a beloved classic of the Spanish repertoire.

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