Bohemios [Zarza Project]

Nicola Beller Carbone (Dormitila) will direct a contemporary version of the classic by Amadeo Vives aimed at young people on 20, 21 and 28 February and 1 March at the Teatro de la Zarzuela. The show has been adapted by Nando López and will be performed by a group of young singers chosen through a series of auditions and in collaboration with the Spanish National Youth Orchestra.

The original performance was premièred in 1904 and told of the misadventures of a group of poor artists struggling to survive in 19th century Bohemian Paris. In this latest version, Nando López has adapted the story to a television shoot that bursts into the life of a neighbourhood full of dreams, rebellion and music.  The main characters, Cossette and Roberto, are two young actors who see how the machinery of show business threatens to devour their hopes and creative freedom.

Therefore, the tale becomes an allegory of art as a form of resistance: the youths decide to rebel against the control of the producer Girard.  With the help of Luz de Bohemia, a charismatic drag queen, they defend their passion, friendship and love as vital driving forces against the conformity and hypocrisy of the system.

The production maintains Vives’ musical spirit, but combines it with the classic language of zarzuela with elements of pop culture, musical theatre and urban aesthetics. The show is also performed by nine up-and-coming actors who were selected through a series of auditions, accompanied by musicians from the Spanish National Youth Orchestra (JONDE).

Artistic File:

• Music - Amadeo Vives
• Libretto - Guillermo Perrín and Miguel de Palacios, in a version by Nando López
• Conductor - Julio César Picos
• Stage Manager - Nicola Beller Carbone
• Stage Design - Carmen Castañón
• Costumes - Pier Paolo Álvaro
• Lighting - Pedro Chamizo
• Cast - Lucía Beltrán, Júlia Cervera, Francisco Cruz, Marta Esteban, Alonso Gabarrús, Catalina Geyer, Iria Goti, Belén Herrero, Tony Iniesta García, Pablo Martínez, Mario Millán, Enrique Monteoliva, Eduardo Pomares, Laura Pulido, Nacho Zorrilla and Yulietta Quevedo
• Orchestra - Spanish National Youth Orchestra (JONDE)

Approximate Duration: 1 hour