Orchestra of New Spain: Iphigenia en Tracia

Iphigenia en Tracia, based on Euripedes’ Iphigenia in Tauris, was written in 1747 by José de Nebra, known as the leading late-Baroque composer of Spanish opera and zarzuela.

Nebra’s ultimate, highly dramatic zarzuela is a tragicomic version of the legendary story, set near the ancient city of Troy and presented with all the panoply, splendor, dance, and humor it would have enjoyed when it opened in Madrid’s newly rebuilt Corral de la Cruz.

With brilliant arias, Baroque Spanish dance, and sumptuous sets and costumes, this rarely seen work features Carla López Speziale, Eugenia Ramírez, Anna Fredericka Popova, and Leslie Hochman. Music director and conductor, Grover Wilkins 3rd; stage director, Gustavo Tambascio; set designer, Nicolás Boni; costume designer, Antonio Bartolo; choreographer, Jaime Puente. Spanish and English with supertitles.

The Dallas-based Orchestra of New Spain comprises over 40 instrumentalists and singers specializing in early Spanish and American Hispanic music. Its principal repertory is drawn from manuscripts found in court, public, and cathedral archives of Spain. Taking its name from the area of present-day Texas and Mexico originally called New Spain by Spanish explorers, it seeks to present music from “old” Spain in this “new” land.