Although I prefer Opera, I acknowledge that Zarzuela forms a very important part of the History of Spain; that time was Romanticism.
Romanticism is a revolutionary movement in all spheres of life, in the arts, breaks the mold established in Neoclassicism, defending fantasy, imagination and the irrational forces of the spirit.
In Spain we have to wait until 1805 to give expression to the novelist. During the years 1814 and 1818, after successive controversies, are used, even tentatively, the terms of romanesco, romancesco, Romanesque and romantic.
Romanticism was a kind of struggle against the rationalism of the Enlightenment.It brings humanity to the coldness of the Enlightenment. It was the exaltation of sentimentality.
One of the 7.000 pieces of Zarzuela, registered in Spain, speaks of that time as pretty -- but turbulent, politically --.This piece was “El ultimo romantico” (“The last romantic”) and it was premiered, in Madrid, in 1928.
The argument of this piece of Zarzuela is: that the protagonist has a girlfriend, but they end the relationship; anyway he is still in love with her; but she married another.One day, the protagonist of “El ultimo romantico” heard that the King, Amadeo de Saboya, had suffered an attack --on July 19, 1872-- and he was arrested, because he was a revolutionary.Suddenly, his former girlfriend, who was a Countess, appeared and she asked the police to release to his friend –because she was sure that her friend had nothing to do with that attack to the King--.Then, she advises his friend to flee from Spain; he flees to France.When he came back, a few years later, he sees that she is a widow. They meet again, get married and go to Paris.
Here, you can watch the video of this Romance –as a part of the Zarzuela “El ultimo Romantico”--, “Bella enamorada” (“Pretty loved”):
"Bella enamorada" (El último Romantico), by the Tenor, Ángel Cortés.
This is the lyrics:
Bella enamorada, con tu imagen sueño
y un amor dichoso, busco para mí.
Bella enamorada, eres mi consuelo,
ya sin tu cariño, ya sin tu cariño,
no sabré vivir.
Noche de amor, noche misteriosa,
Ven hacia mí, sombra de mujer
Sobre placer, ver lo que soñamos,
Quiero vivir, por volverte a ver,
Ilusión perdida, quiero recordar
Un amor lejano, que no volverá
Dama misteriosa, que en la sombra vives
Dime ya quién eres, y sabrás mi amor
Bella entre las bellas, linda enamorada
Tú eres mi tormento, tú eres mi tormento
Yo tu esclavo soy
Noche de amor, noche misteriosa,
Ven hacia mí, sombra de mujer
Sobre placer, ver lo que soñamos,
Quiero vivir, por volverte a ver.
Noche de amor, noche misteriosa,
Ven hacia mí, sombra de mujer
Ilusión perdida, quiero recordar
De un amor lejano, que ya no volverá.
I hope that you enjoy with it.
Kind regards,
Luis.
Sponsored by Costaluz Lawyers.
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