The ACAZ staged La rosa del azafrán at the Tomás Barrera Theatre, marking the conclusion of the 43rd National Zarzuela Week. The beloved production in La Solana was presented in two performances, with tickets sold out for the afternoon show and nearly full for the evening. This edition featured a co-production with Zarzuela Colombia.
Actors Petri Casado and José M. León portrayed Sagrario and Juan Pedro in the afternoon performance, accompanied by María Sevilla as Catalina and José González as Moniquito. In the evening, the same characters were played by Hevila Cardeña, Vicente Antequera, Alicia Montesquieu, and Miguel Ferrer. Ricardo Muñiz took on the role of Carracuca in both performances, while Don Generoso was portrayed by Gregorio Uriel and Ramón López. Petra Martín-Albo and Mari Carmen Rodríguez also participated as Custodia.
At 76 years old, Muñiz expressed that such roles allow him to enjoy the stage in a different way. With four decades of experience in La Solana, returning to portray Carracuca holds special significance for him. “To play a local character in La rosa del azafrán is, in my words, wonderful,” he stated.
Muñiz acknowledged the dedication of the ACAZ's amateur performers, who, despite not being full-time zarzuela artists, demonstrate professionalism in their craft. La rosa del azafrán, which premiered in 1930, features music by Jacinto Guerrero and a libretto by Federico Romero and Guillermo Fernández-Shaw. The story revolves around the love affair between Sagrario, a wealthy and proud woman, and Juan Pedro, a farmer working for her, reflecting the social disparities of the time. The production includes well-known numbers such as ‘El sembrador’ and the scene of the ‘Espigadoras’.
Muñiz also noted the presence of young individuals interested in learning zarzuela, suggesting that the genre still has a promising future. “Zarzuela must be sung, respected, and cherished,” he concluded.
