A few months ago a Canadian family arrived in Madrid after living in Southeast Asia for 4 years. A family of artists who are dedicated to music, play different instruments, sing and make their own performances for themselves or even for friends. They arrived in Madrid with their homework done, a great desire to enjoy cultural life and many questions, especially about the “género chico” or zarzuela.
—Of course! They had found a lot of information that had generated a lot of doubts —said Almudena, highlighting the complication of these transfers.
—And confusion with all the different meanings —adds Paloma.
—But, also, great curiosity.
—Logic!
—We have heard it since we were little but imagine hearing it for the first time and in another language.
The zarzuela or “género chico” is a typically Spanish musical theatre in which the spoken word is alternated with the music, above all, songs and also instrumental fragments. It is similar to other European styles such as the German “singspiel” or the French “opéra-comique”.
—It had a short period of glory, barely a hundred years, from the mid-nineteenth century to the mid-twentieth century.
—You’re referring to modern Zarzuela, because it seems that already in the 17th century there was a baroque or mythological zarzuela from which modern zarzuela derives —says Almu, dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s.
—The glory might have been short but it was super popular among the bourgeoisie and the people’s.
—Of course, they were brief shows, cheap to produce and affordable for this audience.
—With catchy songs and easy themes.
—And folkloric, popular and urban roots.
—And with a tendency towards comedy.
They’re also very localist, defending “castizo” expressions close to the people: cultural, religious, vital, political and social ones. And rooted in the Spanish national character, especially focused on Madrid and Andalusia.
Today Zarzuela is still alive and well and is still being performed, but it is not as popular as it was then. The Teatro de la Zarzuela in Madrid always includes them in its programming.
—And the confusion it caused the Roberts is because in addition to the music genre and the theater, we have the palace.
—That’s right, the Palace of Zarzuela.
—Which is the residence of the King of Spain.
—It is located on the outskirts of Madrid, on Monte del Pardo.
—And it has entrance through Valdemarín (Aravaca)
—It seems that the name comes from the fact that there were many brambles (“zarzas”) in that area.
—By the way! Not to be confused with the Royal Palace.
—Which is in the centre of Madrid and reserved for official events only.
—Besides, we can also find Hipódromo de la Zarzuela.
—Very close to Palacio de la Zarzuela.
On the other hand and located in front of Palacio Real is Teatro Real. It was founded in 1818, by order of King Ferdinand VII and reopened in 1997 after a complex and pioneering architectural rehabilitation, which turned its stage into a reference point among its peers, both for its sophisticated theatrical technology and its functionality.
—It’s one of the great international focal points of opera.
—And a reference for Spanish cultural institutions.
—His artistic programming deals with both the traditional and contemporary lyrical repertoire.
We must also mention Auditorio Nacional, inaugurated on 1988, which is an important asset in the world of music.
—It has two concert halls, Symphony and Chamber Orchestra.
—They allow for up to four concerts a day, in afternoon and evening sessions.
—In addition, the Spanish National Orchestra and Choir, the National Youth Orchestra of Spain and the National Centre for Musical Broadcasting have their headquarters here.
And of course, there are numerous concerts of all kinds of music and festivals. On the official tourism website of Madrid we find all the information. And we can’t forget flamenco because although it’s not originally from Madrid, here you can enjoy a lot of this very Spanish genre.
In case you are planning to move to Madrid shortly, you’ll find all the relevant information in The secret of relocating to Madrid. If, in addition, you need help with the organization or, even if you want us to accompany you, check out our services.
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Photo credit: Peter Blumer on VisualHunt.com / CC BY-NC
