Luisa Fernanda
For the delight of Los Angeles audiences, the Pacific Lyric Association, in association with the Ricardo Montalban Foundation, has produced Luisa Fernanda, one of the most influential zarzuelas of the twentieth century. The operetta harks back to the 1868 revolution that deposed the Spanish monarchy for the first time. But the play itself, with soaring music by Federico Moreno Torroba and book by Federico Romero and Guillermo Shaw, was written just prior to the Spanish Civil war in 1932, when revolutionary emotions were running high once again. Needless to say, the play was an immediate success.
Down through the centuries, Spanish zarzuelas have reflected both political and social concerns in an entertaining way. This popular entertainment was born as part of a music craze that swept Europe in the mid-seventeenth century when Italians decided that all ancient narratives from the classical period must have been set to music. Playwrights, composers and performers in every country worked feverishly to create their own brands of musical theater. Spain was accustomed to going its own way and at that time, creators developed their own form of musical with an operatic twist.
The Oliva family creates the force behind the present Pacific Lyric production, with son Gabriel directing his mother, Theresa Hughes-Oliva as Luisa Fernanda, and father, Carlos Oliva as her suitor, Don Vidal, in a love triangle that pits one side against another in a struggle for romantic and political power. Gabriel also performs as Anibal, a young revolutionary, and a pivotal character.
Assisting the principals are Renee Rulon Cortez as the Duchess Carolina; Vicente Solbes as the lover, Javier (alternating with Gariel Reoyo-Pazos); Johanna Siegmann as Mariana, the innkeeper; with Ruben Rabasa as Luisa Fernanda’s father, and Jose de Vega as Bizco, the tavern owner. The experienced cast is supported by a sizable and very capable chorus.
As an indication of the importance of Pacific Lyric Association’s production, the son of the composer, Federico Moreno-Torroba Larregla, traveled from Spain to conduct the week-end event. The producer, Racquel Lehrman, adopted a colorful palette for sets by Joel Daavid, lighting by Jeremy Pivnick and costumes by Sharell Martin, creating emphasis for the historical period. The entire enterprise was assembled with such love and care, it is hoped that it will continue to be reprised.
Luisa Fernanda was presented at the Ricardo Montalban Theatre, 1615 Vine St., Hollywood, Thursday through Saturday, February 19-21 . For more information contact The Pacific Lyric Association at (323)960-1057 or go to www.pacificlyricassociation.com.____________________________________
Theater: Ricardo Montalban Theatre, 1615 Vine St., Hollywood.
Web Site: http://www.pacificlyricassociation.com
Tickets: (323) 960-1057
Dates: February 19, 20 and 21