Zagreb Opera Festival
Teatre Principal de Palma and Croatian Baroque Ensemble
The Zagreb Opera Festival is pleased to present opera Buffa La serva padrona, produced by the Spanish theater Teatre Principal de Palma from Palma de Mallorca. The soloists of the Teatro Principal de Palma will be joined by the Croatian Baroque Ensemble, conducted by Pavao Mašić.
La serva padrona is the most famous and most often produced Opera buffa in history. At first, it was written as an intermezzo to be played between the acts of the Opera seria Il prigioner superbo by the same composer. It quickly became an opera in its own right and was played extensively throughout Europe. In the 18th century, this short comic opera by Pergolesi caused a great commotion and it began a musical revolution known as the Querelle des Bouffons, which changed the course of the history of western opera.
Almost three centuries later, La serva padrona continues to amuse and captivate all types of audiences. Maintaining the revolutionary and transgressive spirit of the work, this production puts forth a current and feminist reading of the opera, which, playing on the historical ambiguity, speaks about the invisible work of women, in particular housework. Serpina, the servant of Uberto, tired of doing all the housework without receiving anything but complaints and mistreatment, will raise her voice and take action. She will devise a plan to have her worth and her roll within the household recognized. In spite of the refusal of her master, she will manage to convince him to marry her in order to gain the longed-for equality.
Note to the audience: during the show, the lighting fixtures in the boxes will be switched on and off.
CREATIVE TEAM
Conductor Pavao Mašić
Stage Director Ana Cuéllar
Assitant director Bernat Quetglas
Stage and Costume Designer Elionor Sintes
Dramaturg and Stage Manager Carme Amengual
Lighting Marga Vicens
ENSEMBLE
Serpina Irene Mas
Uberto Simón Orfila
Vespone Joan Servera
Croatian Baroque Ensemble
Violins: Laura Vadjon (concert masster), Helga Korbar, Katarina Kutnar, Tanja Tortić, Saša Borčić Reba, Ivana Žvan, Vinka Fabris Stančec
Violas: Asja Frank, Hiwote Tadesse
Cello: Dora Kuzmin Maković
Double bass: Pavle Kladarin
Harpsichord: Pavao Mašić and Benjamin Polhe
