Teaching Workshop:female Archetypes in the Cuban Zarzuela
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The workshop focuses on a theatrical genre from the Hispanic world, the zarzuela, to describe its dramaturgical-musical peculiarities, so that students become familiar with an original artistic form sometimes mistakenly confused with the operetta or the musical.
Expected learning outcomes
Students are expected to demonstrate their knowledge of the structure and characteristics of the genre, identifying in the 20th-century-contemporary repertoire a zarzuela on which to prepare an essential listening guide.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Giudizio di approvazione
Assessment result: superato/non superato
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
The workshop consists of ten meetings.
I. Description of the zarzuela genre, from its birth in Spain to its international developments.
II. Historical and cultural presentation of the island of Cuba in the context of the American continent.
III. Reflection on female archetypes in music (Italian melodrama, French Grand-opéra, revues, musicals, songs, etc.).
IV. The role of the mulatta in Cuban society and entertainment.
In the last six meetings, we will reflect together on some of the stereotypes and racial prejudices present in the great Cuban zarzuelas of the 20th century, including: "Cecilia Valdés", "María la O", "La Virgen Morena", "Rosa La China", "Amalia Batista", "La Habana de noche", ending with "Santa Camila de La Habana Vieja", zarzuela of the new millennium.
I. Description of the zarzuela genre, from its birth in Spain to its international developments.
II. Historical and cultural presentation of the island of Cuba in the context of the American continent.
III. Reflection on female archetypes in music (Italian melodrama, French Grand-opéra, revues, musicals, songs, etc.).
IV. The role of the mulatta in Cuban society and entertainment.
In the last six meetings, we will reflect together on some of the stereotypes and racial prejudices present in the great Cuban zarzuelas of the 20th century, including: "Cecilia Valdés", "María la O", "La Virgen Morena", "Rosa La China", "Amalia Batista", "La Habana de noche", ending with "Santa Camila de La Habana Vieja", zarzuela of the new millennium.
Prerequisites for admission
Minimal knowledge of the history of Western musical theatre and/or Spanish/Hispano-American literature.
Teaching methods
Introductory face-to-face lectures, reading and commenting on texts and passages related to the content of the workshop, viewing and commenting on audio-visual material, plenary discussions, group works, individual in-depth studies.
Teaching Resources
Enrique Río Prado, "La Venus de bronce: Una historia de la zarzuela cubana", La Habana, Ediciones Alarcos, 2010.
or
Susan Thomas, "Cuban Zarzuela: Performing Race and Gender on Havana's Lyric Stage", University of the Illinois Press, 2008.
María de los Ángeles Chapa Bezanilla, "La zarzuela en la América hispana". Biblioteca Juan March. https://www2.march.es/publicaciones/ensayos-tme/ensayo.aspx?p0=21.
José Luis Elcoro, "Surgimiento y desarrollo de la zarzuela cubana. Estructura morfológica y análisis", Cuadernos de Música Iberoaericana, Vol 2-3 (1996-1997): 423-438.
Irina Bajini, "Molto donna e un po' Madonna: sulle tracce di Ochún nella letteratura cubana", Narrative femminili cubane tra mito e realtà. Venezia, Università Ca' Foscari, 2003: 69-80.
or
Susan Thomas, "Cuban Zarzuela: Performing Race and Gender on Havana's Lyric Stage", University of the Illinois Press, 2008.
María de los Ángeles Chapa Bezanilla, "La zarzuela en la América hispana". Biblioteca Juan March. https://www2.march.es/publicaciones/ensayos-tme/ensayo.aspx?p0=21.
José Luis Elcoro, "Surgimiento y desarrollo de la zarzuela cubana. Estructura morfológica y análisis", Cuadernos de Música Iberoaericana, Vol 2-3 (1996-1997): 423-438.
Irina Bajini, "Molto donna e un po' Madonna: sulle tracce di Ochún nella letteratura cubana", Narrative femminili cubane tra mito e realtà. Venezia, Università Ca' Foscari, 2003: 69-80.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Elaboration of a short critical text to be agreed with the lecturer during the workshop.
Professor(s)