Spanish students in the Arriaga Theatre in Bilbao

On Wednesday 27th January, ten students from Instituto Hemingway enjoyed a performance of El Barberillo de Lavapiés, a play by Francisco Asenjo Barbieri, at the Teatro Arriaga. The play was a zarzuela, which is of a Spanish genre that alternates between spoken and sung scenes, much like a musical.

The play was bases in the political struggle in 1770s Madrid between the two factions of Floridablanca and Grimaldi played the back-drop for two love stories, one between two plebeians: Paloma and Lamparilla; the other between two aristocrats: La Marquesita Estrella and Don Luis Haro, either from each side of the political divide. Finally, Grimaldi is toppled and Floridablanca assumes power. Political and social bliss then descends on Madrid and the two couples unite.

The play was very enjoyable, if sometimes a little difficult to understand – although the subtitles displayed above the stage certainly helped. The acting and singing were both excellent. After the play, everyone went to Casco Viejo to enjoy some drinks and chat.

Harriet Smart
British Spanish student in Bilbao