According to Wikipedia Zarzuela:

"..is a Spanish lyric-dramatic genre, which alternates between spoken and sung scenes, the latter incorporating dances."

Indeed, some of Spain’s most important opera singers, like Placido Domingo and Montserrat Caballe, have all done Zarzuela. Domingo will actually be playing a lead role this summer in a zarzuela production in Madrid.

The Barberillo de Lavapiés, composed by Barbieri, first premiered in 1874 and is often referred to as the greatest zarzuela grande. I have been to a number of zarzuelas over the years and would recommend them to anyone. They have a true Spanish/Madrid feel to them and are performed to such a high standard – you never know if you’ll be listening to the next José Carreras, Placido Domingo or Alfredo Kraus. By the way if you don’t understand Spanish very well, it’s well worth getting the score beforehand.

El Barberillo de Lavapiés is performed by the Orquesta de la Comunidad de Madrid and the choir of the Teatro de la Zarzuela, accompanied by the voices of Beatriz Lanza, Amparo Navarro, Carmen González, Marco Moncloa, Luis Álvarez and Julio Morales. It will be at the Teatro de la Zarzuela until the 10th March.

Timetable
Wednesday-Saturday: 8 p.m.
Sundays: 6 p.m.

Prices
12 – 216 Euros