The Iberian Academy’s finale is for iberophiles a unique occasion to participate in a performance of a real zarzuela! Music for Vendado es amor, no es ciego, written in the mid-18th century by José de Nebra, will resound. The featured artists include the NFM Choir, Wrocław Baroque Orchestra nad six excellent singers directed by Alberto Miguélez Rouco.

Zarzuela is a genre of musical theatre with spoken dialogues, indigenous to the kingdom of Spain, with its roots in the Baroque era. Initially, it was a small-size court entertainment. Under the influence of Neapolitan music (after the Spanish throne was taken over by the Bourbons at the beginning of the 18th century) it started growing and assuming features of the opera. Like in Vendado es amor, no es ciego, typical zarzuela themes were mythological , with saucy commentaries provided by comical characters. 

De Nebras music is set to a libretto by José de Cañizares. The first staging of zarzuela took place in 1744 in a public theatre in Madrid and proved a success. The composer would often collaborate with venues of this kind, which is evidenced by his rich theatrical output. Besides, he was a superb organist employed by the royal court. His oeuvre also includes church and harpsichord music. 

The featured zarzuela’s plot is based on the love story of Venus and King Anquises. One of the threads is the dilemma once faced by Paris, as a protagonist has to choose between the goddess of love, the chase Diana and her nymph Eumene. Alongside serious characters, we meet Brújula and Títiro, the so-called graciosos, who comment on the events in a bawdy or even lecherous way. We will be guided through the intrigue by the narrator. This zarzuela was recorded for the first time only in 2020, directed by Rouco and featuring some of the soloists we will hear at the NFM.