UCSB Opera Theatre Presents "Luisa Fernanda"

"Luisa Fernanda," the hugely popular romantic zarzuela by Frederico Moreno Torroba, has been performed over 10,000 times on stages around the world.



Now it comes to Lotte Lehmann Concert Hall.



UCSB Opera Theatre will perform a fully-staged production of "Luisa Fernanda" in three acts at 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 15; and at 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 16 and 17.



Composed in 1932, the opera's classic love story — triangle and all — is set against the revolutionary struggles of Madrid in the 1900s. "The spoken dialogue goes right into musical numbers," explained stage director Paul Sahuc. Sahuc is a lecturer in the Department of Music.



John Ballerino,also a music department lecturer — and an expert in the zarzuela genre — is the production's music director and pianist. He will perform with a small ensemble on Spanish percussion instruments.



The dances featured in the zarzuela are choreographed by Christopher Pilafian, director of dance, and Valerie Huston, senior lecturer in  theater and dance.



According to Sahuc, "Luisa Fernanda" is a good choice for UCSB Opera Theatre. "Our cast fits it so well," he said. "The voices fit the characters, and there are smaller parts for the newer students." By putting together two separate casts for the production, he's been able to give parts to 25 students.



Tickets for "Luisa Fernanda" are $10 and $20. More information is available at www.music.ucsb.edu.