El gitano por amor

La Ópera Estudio de Málaga - Teatro Cervantes has produced a comic opera in two acts based on La Gitanilla by Miguel de Cervantes. It can be seen from 22 to 26 April at the Teatro de la Zarzuela.

It features music and libretto by Manuel García and is conducted by Carlos Aragón and directed by Emilio Sagi (Katiuska, I Puritani or Le Nozze di Figaro). The Community of Madrid Orchestra and the Teatro de la Zarzuela Choir are also participating.

The story revolves around Preciosa, a beautiful, smart and virtuous young gypsy girl who grew up in a community of gypsies that travels around Spanish cities singing and dancing. Don Juan de Cárcamo, a young nobleman sees her one day and falls madly in love with her. To get closer to Preciosa, he decides to give up his privileged life and become a gypsy, under the name of Andrés Caballero.

Preciosa is also attracted to him and sets one condition: he cannot marry her until he has lived with the gypsies for two years following their way of life in order to prove his perseverance and humbleness. During this time, Andrés experiences different adventures and learns about the group’s customs and confronts the injustice suffered by gypsies because of their reputation. However, Andrés ends up being imprisoned due to a misunderstanding and a false accusation of theft.

Finally, the truth comes out: it is discovered that Preciosa was not born a gypsy, but was taken from a noble family. When her origins are revealed, she and Andrés are able to marry, regaining their honour and position without completely renouncing their freedom.  Cervantes reflects on true love, freedom, honour and social prejudices, concluding that nobility lies in the heart rather than in blood.

Artistic File:

• Conductor - Carlos Aragón
• Music and Libretto - Manuel García
• Stage Director - Emilio Sagi
• Stage Design - Daniel Bianco
• Wardrobe - Jesús Ruiz
• Lighting - Eduardo Bravo
• Orchestra - Community of Madrid Orchestra. Teatro de La Zarzuela Resident Orchestra
• Choir - Teatro de La Zarzuela Choir. Director - Antonio Fauró
• Production - Ópera Estudio de Málaga - Teatro Cervantes

Cast:

• Hernando - Juan Antonio Sanabria (22, 24 and 26 April) / Juan de Dios Mateos (23 and 25 April)
• Rosita - Sabina Puértolas (22, 24 and 26 April) / Suzana Nadejde (23 and 25 April)
• Inés - María José Moreno (22, 24 and 26 April) / Rocío Faus (23 and 25 April)
• Baldaquín - Javier Povedano
• Laura - Begoña Gómez
• Manolo - José Ángel Florido
• Marqués del Pino - Pietro Spagnoli