Tenerife Opera Revives Oldest Surviving Zarzuela with Modern Baroque Production

The revival of Spanish lyrical heritage is back in the spotlight with the staging of Los celos hacen estrellas y el amor hace prodigios at the Teatro Leal in La Laguna. As reported by Diario de Avisos, this Auditorio de Tenerife production brings back what is considered the oldest surviving zarzuela to have both its original score and libretto intact—a Baroque masterpiece by composer Juan Hidalgo and playwright Juan Vélez de Guevara.

Part of the Tenerife Opera’s Chamber Opera cycle, the show runs from this Friday through Sunday, with performances at 7:30 p.m. Musical director Aarón Zapico and stage director Ricardo Campelo have teamed up to reinterpret the Spanish Baroque for a modern audience. Campelo draws parallels between the power dynamics of the 17th century and our own digital age, defined by constant connectivity and information overload.

Rather than a traditional historical reconstruction, the production embraces a contemporary aesthetic. It features pop-culture influences and large LED screens, creating a busy, layered visual style that reflects the concept of horror vacui (a fear of empty space). According to Campelo, the creative process bridged classical mythology—drawing from Ovid’s Metamorphoses—with modern struggles like toxic relationships and the anxiety of missing out (FOMO).

To ensure the original Baroque verse remains clear and impactful, the production team worked closely with verse coach Karmele Aramburu, who carefully preserved the rhythm of the text. This multidisciplinary effort highlights how relevant the humanistic themes of the Golden Age remain today. By exploring the timeless complexities of love, the production serves as a mirror to 21st-century life, reaffirming the Tenerife institution’s dedication to preserving and promoting the roots of Spanish lyrical tradition.