Cécilia Valdès by Roig, G., dim. 09 févr. 2020, Du (2020/2020), Dirigé par Carlos Wagner, Chef d'orchestre Oliver Díaz, Teatro de la Zarzuela, Madrid, Espagne

arrives for the first time Cecilia Valdés in Madrid. The stage director of this new production, Carlos Wagner, reminds us that everything is now a premiere at the Teatro de la Zarzuela: the first Cuban work and the first time for Cecilia Valdés ! For Wagner, the work has "a very funny and endearing part" because here "the parties are present, and also the daily life, both of the upper class and that of the humble people in Havana." And, in addition, "it covers more serious topics, such as the machismo of that upper class" and his attitude "on the issue of race." It is also the first time that Rifail Ajdarpasic's scenography, Christophe Ouvrard's costumes, Fabrice Kebour's lighting or Nuria Castejón's choreography have been combined on this stage, which will make it possible to recreate a story full of parties, sugar and slavery in the Cuban of the 50s. And this heterogeneity of themes and emotions is also reflected in the music: the musical director, Óliver Díaz, affirms that « Cecilia Valdés is a perfect amalgamation between the great Central European operatic tradition, the zarzuela and Afro-Cuban music. Gonzalo Roig is able to color and illuminate each of the actions in the most subtle way, highlighting the psychological aspects of each character with absolute mastery. We are facing a work with an absolute musical protagonism, where art denounces, once again, the social injustices rooted in the depths of civilizations».