Teatro de la Zarzuela’s “Bohemios” Celebrates 10 Years of Proyecto Zarza | Tickets & Info

Teatro de la Zarzuela Revives Amadeo Vives’ ‘Bohemios’ for 10th Anniversary of Youth-Focused Project Zarza

The Teatro de la Zarzuela in Madrid is celebrating a decade of its Project Zarza – an initiative dedicated to bringing Spanish lyric theatre to younger audiences – with a revival of Amadeo Vives’ beloved zarzuela, ‘Bohemios.’ The production, running from February 20 to March 1, updates the setting of the classic work to contemporary Madrid while remaining faithful to Vives’ original score.

Directed by Nicola Beller Carbone, with musical direction by Julio César Picos, this new staging of ‘Bohemios’ draws inspiration from Henry Murger’s ‘Scènes de la vie de bohème,’ the same source material that inspired Puccini’s opera ‘La Bohème.’ The adaptation, penned by Nando López, transposes the story of struggling artists from 19th-century Paris to a modern-day Madrid neighborhood, reflecting the enduring themes of artistic ambition and bohemian life.

The production features a cast of 16 performers aged between 18 and 30, selected through a competitive audition process. They will be accompanied by musicians from the Joven Orquesta Nacional de España (JONDE) and the Teatro de la Zarzuela’s resident chorus. This collaborative approach underscores Project Zarza’s commitment to providing opportunities for emerging talent.

Project Zarza, launched in the 2016/2017 season, has become a cornerstone of the Teatro de la Zarzuela’s outreach efforts. The initiative combines stage productions with educational activities and resources, aiming to cultivate a new generation of zarzuela enthusiasts. To date, the project has reached nearly 70,000 attendees, and in 2021, it received the Premio Ópera XXI for Best Initiative to Promote Lyric Theatre.

The decision to stage ‘Bohemios’ for this anniversary is particularly significant given the work’s history. Originally premiered at the Teatro de la Zarzuela in 1904, it quickly became a staple of the Spanish lyric theatre repertoire, accumulating over 18,000 performances within 25 years. The enduring popularity of ‘Bohemios’ speaks to its timeless appeal and its ability to resonate with audiences across generations.

López’s adaptation seeks to maintain that resonance while making the story accessible to contemporary viewers. He explains that the new version focuses on a group of young people who believe in the transformative power of art, a message particularly relevant in today’s world. “Just now, when we are threatened by so many hateful speeches and old ghosts that we thought we had overcome, that belligerent and demanding bohemia seems very necessary to us,” López stated.

Carbone’s staging further enhances the production’s contemporary feel. She has created a double set – a film set and a community space called ‘Sisterland’ – that allows for a dynamic interplay between the different worlds of the characters. “Both spaces remain alive throughout the show: while the focus of some scenes is on one of them, the other continues its narration in the shadows,” Carbone explained.

The Teatro de la Zarzuela is supplementing the performances with a range of ancillary events, including a press conference featuring members of the cast and creative team, and a presentation of López’s new book, ‘Los nuevos bohemios,’ which adapts the libretto for the Project Zarza production. The theatre is also offering educational resources and interactive presentations for school groups attending the performances.

The success of Project Zarza lies in its ability to balance artistic integrity with audience engagement. By commissioning new adaptations of classic works and providing opportunities for young performers, the Teatro de la Zarzuela is ensuring that zarzuela remains a vibrant and relevant art form for years to come. The project’s commitment to both professional productions and educational outreach has established it as a model for other cultural institutions seeking to connect with younger audiences.

Past productions of Project Zarza have included titles such as ‘La revoltosa,’ ‘El dúo de la Africana,’ ‘La verbena de la Paloma,’ ‘Agua, azucarillos y aguardiente,’ ‘Amores en zarza,’ ‘El sobre verde,’ ‘Yo te querré,’ ‘El año pasado por agua,’ and ‘La Gran Vía.’ The current production of ‘Bohemios’ will also be recorded and made available online through the Teatro de la Zarzuela’s YouTube channel, further extending its reach.