Premiered in 1917, Manuel Penella’s score, tells the story of the rivalry between bullfighter Rafael Ruíz and bandit Juanillo, known as the Wildcat, who fight each other for a gipsy woman called Soleá. They get involved in a series of tragic conflicts in which love, indifference, reason and honour are present. This piece, a major exponent of popular Spanish opera melodies of the time, includes the famous paso doble Torero quiero ser, in addition to plenty of national clichés: a cortijo (Andalusian farm), a bullfight ring, bandits and bullfighters along with the eternal Hispanic concept of honour.

This highly dramatic zarzuela set in Andalusia, was successfully put on in America, including a production which was on stage from December 1920 to February 1921 at Park Theatre in New York, performed by the unforgettable Pastora Imperio and Concha Piquer.