La corte del faraón Is Back On Stage

Making headlines this week is the return of the lively operetta La corte del faraón to the stage, 115 years after its world premiere on January 21, 1910, and its first Cuban performance just five months later, on June 3, 1910, at Havana’s Payret Theater. This revival is presented by the National Opera Theater of Cuba.

Set in the Egypt of the pharaohs, La corte del faraón is a whimsical blend of operetta, zarzuela, musical revue, and cuplé. With its witty, double-entendre-filled script and musical nods that often parody Giuseppe Verdi’s Aida, the piece promises a playful and entertaining experience.

After more than a decade offstage, this production returns with a fresh staging under the direction of maestro Yhovani Duarte, who is making his debut as a stage director. He will also share musical direction with maestro Jorge Félix Leyva, who will lead the Symphony Orchestra of the Alicia Alonso Grand Theater of Havana. Choral direction is in the hands of maestro Denisse Falcón Lay.

A stellar cast of soloists and emerging young talents—joined by the theater’s choir and students from its academic unit—will welcome audiences to the Avellaneda Hall at the National Theater of Cuba from July 4 to 6. This operetta, with music by maestro Vicente Lleó, offers a delightful way to kick off the summer season.

According to the press release, tickets will be available at the theater’s box office starting Tuesday, July 1, from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., and on performance days until 30 minutes after the show begins.

Translated by Luis E. Amador Dominguez