Centennial of the Zarzuela La leyenda del beso at the Martí Theater

To commemorate the centennial of the premiere of the Spanish zarzuela La leyenda del beso, the National Opera Theater of Cuba (TLNC) has announced its revival at the capital’s Martí Theater.

The famous work, composed by Reveriano Soutullo and Juan Vert, will grace the historic venue on Friday, May 10, and Saturday, May 11, at 7:00 p.m., and Sunday, May 12, at 5:00 p.m. The staging and direction will be led by soprano Maite Milian Guerra, according to the TLNC press release.

In this production, while preserving the essence and striving to maintain the original texts, along with the scenic designs of the young talent Massiel Teresa Borges, efforts are being made to bring out and update the dramatic, theatrical and visual concepts. The aim is to maximize the dramatic potential and the great spectacle of the work, as well as to showcase the theatrical skills of the performers, enriched by the participation of the Spanish Ballet of Cuba and choreographies specially created for the occasion by Maestro Eduardo Veitía, as stated in the press release.

The cast includes Katia Selva, Cristina Rodríguez, Humberto Bernal, Irelio Pérez, Eugenio Hernández, Abdel Roig, Israel González, Dayami Pérez, Valenti Figueredo, Iván Balmaceda, Jorge Temprano and Carlos Lara, among other soloists and young performers.

The production will be accompanied by the Symphony Orchestra of the Alicia Alonso Grand Theater of Havana, conducted by Maestro Jorge Félix Leyva, the Spanish Ballet of Cuba, conducted by Maestro Eduardo Veitía, the Choir of the National Opera Theater of Cuba, students from the Company’s Teaching Unit, and the Vocal Department of the University of the Arts, conducted by Maestro Denisse Falcón Lay.

This famous piece was first performed at the Teatro Apolo in Madrid on January 18, 1924, and had its Cuban premiere months later on the same stage of the Martí Theater in Havana on August 8, 1924. The style of the libretto is somewhere between zarzuela and operetta, with melodramatic undertones and other elements that make the piece lively.

Translated by Luis E. Amador Dominguez