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Don Gil de
Alcalá
by Manuel
Penella
Teatro de la Zarzuela, Madrid
6th November 1999
A brief report from Pedro Gómez
...
This year's revival of Don Gil de Alcalá
presents the same production that was seen in the Centro Cultural de
Madrid four or five years ago, itself a revival of the Teatro de la
Zarzuela production of 1989.
This production is very remarkable -
the scenery takes the form of paintings. Director Carlos Fernández de
Castro Fernandez Shaw (two important surnames!) explained that he wanted to
present the zarzuela - which is set in the 18th Century with musical pastiche
to match - as a series of Velazquez paintings. This idea is followed through
beautifully. When the curtain opens, each scene begins as a tableau-portrait,
inside a picture frame. The decor is simple, but the lighting is subtle,
complex and effective. The spectacular and richly coloured customs are also in
18th Century mode.
The chorus sang well, the orchestra - string
instruments only in Penella's score, recalling 18th Century practice - was
neatly conducted by Jose Luis Temes. Helena Gallardo in the
central role of Niña Estrella is a young singer, still only 22, whose
vocal and performing skills are improving with each season. The tenor Jorge
Elías in the title role of Don Gil de Alcalá is also very
young, with a vibrant, fresh and distinctive voice. Ismael Pons, as Don
Gil's baritone rival Don Diego, was in firm voice but leaves something to be
desired as as an actor. There were good performances from Luis
Álvarez (Cascarrilla), Amalia Barrio (Maya), Manuel de
Diego (Chamaco), Emilio Carretero, Alberto Arrabal, Luisa
Maeso and Ismael Abellan. The veteran comedian Pepín
Salvador is a very fine actor with a lot of experience, and his performance
was a key to the success of the evening. The audience was enthusiastic,
particularly for el jarabe, the habanera "Las mañanitas"
and the Brindis - a paeon to jerez wine!
© Pedro Gómez Manzanares 1999
Zarzuela!
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