Zarzuela

dances that are a key aspect of Spanish music. For instance, a Zarzuela, which is a Spanish traditional form of musical comedy which alternates between spoken and sung scenes, the latter incorporating operatic and popular song, as well as dance. Originating from Madrid, was very popular roughly around the 17th and 20th centuries. There are zarzuelas during the Baroque period and zarzuelas during the Romantic period. For some background the Baroque period, taking place roughly around the 1600s to the 1750s, is characterized as ostentatious and grandeur. String instruments such as the lute or viola…

Placido Domingo is generally known as “the King of Opera”, as he is one of the most famous singers and composers of all time. Born on January 21, 1941, in Madrid, Spain, Domingo grew up in a very music oriented family. Both of his parents were singers of Spanish operas, and toured all around Spain with a troupe. When he was around the age of eight years old, he received his first piano lessons. He moved with his parents down to Mexico so they could start up their own zarzuela group, which helped…

final piece was “Asturiana” by De Falla. Manuel de Falla, also known as Manuel María de los Dolores Falla y Matheu, is a renowned Spanish composer of international acclaim. The Spanish composer infused his compositions with unique idioms from native folk songs and dance to create his music on nationalistic lines. His fusion of poetry, simplicity, and passion represented the spirit of Spain in its purest form. Just like Isaac Albéniz, Enrique Granados and Joaquín Turina, Falla is deemed as one of…

Brazil, the Jesuits built the Missions, which was a project that in addition to bringing culture to the Guarani Indians, also taught them The Catholic religion, agriculture, and vocal and instrumental music, creating after ten years, entire orchestras only of Guarani. The most famous Jesuit priest of the Missions was Father José de Anchieta (1534-1597), creator of many didactic plays, whose function was to teach the religion in a creative and spectacular way to the Indians. Throughout the time…