Famous Zarzuela Choruses

For years, zarzuela has enjoyed new recognition both in Spain and abroad; recognition of something that was and no longer is, but which, as always happens with music, has the capacity for revival. This spoken and musical genre has a long history but takes hold when all foreign influence aligns with or gives way to national popularism, to the so-called "casticismo" (purism of Spanish customs) and "sainete" (one-act farce), with the reproduction of national and local customs.

Such a process finds its launching pad in Madrid, a capital no less endowed with centralizing power for being picturesque and local. This explains why the "zarzuelero Spanishness" is above all "Madridness," suburban Madridness if you will. As Baroja said: "for this matter of the popular suburban song, a bit vulgar, there has been no town like Madrid." This Madrid-centric exaltation soon turns into the autobiographical enthusiasm of the regions, always riding on the progressive folkloric development.