Zarzuela - La verbena de la Paloma

The action is set in the working-class neighbourhoods of Madrid, during the festival of the Virgen de La Paloma. Don Hilarión, the apothecary, and Don Sebastián comment on the heat of the night, while the neighbours are partying. All except Julián, who is raging with jealousy provoked by his girlfriend Susana. Rita, who loves him like a son, tries to console him and give him good advice, but she cannot prevent him from discovering that Susana's aunt, Antonia, wants to set her up with the apothecary, even though he is just as interested in her as in her sister Casta. A blonde or a brunette.

The mess in the verbena de la Paloma is served.

Our Verbena de la Paloma We don't know why "La verbena de la Paloma" is the biggest box-office hit in the Spanish lyric repertoire. There are many reasons why it could be: its wonderful music by Tomás Bretón, an amusing and ingenious libretto by Ricardo de la Vega that has all the flavour of Madrid at the end of the 19th century or perhaps our staging which, being classical, adds to the work wonderful numbers from the género chico and some newly composed ones that are totally in keeping with the original work and which the audience greatly appreciates. What is certain is that our production of "La verbena de la Paloma" has been performed for more than 14 consecutive years at the Teatro Gran Vía in Madrid and is not only a classic on the Spanish lyrical stage, but also a guarantee of entertainment for all audiences, whether or not they are familiar with the Spanish lyrical genre.