As part of the Ópera en minúscula’ (Small-format Opera) concerts, Il giocatore has been scheduled for performance at Espacio La Granja in a production of Universo Zapico with the participation of Forma Antiqva and Instituto Complutense de Ciencias Musicales (ICCMU).
The libretto of Il giocatore (The Gambler) was written by physician, court poet and librettist Antonio Salvi. Premiering in 1719 in Venice to critical acclaim, it went on to be one of the most popular operas of the 18th century. It saw many adaptations, such as that of Niccoló Jommelli for the Spanish court by the commission of Farinelli, which is the selected version for this interpretation.
The production features stage director and playwright Ana Contreras, musical director Aarón Zapico at the helm of Forma Antiqva, soprano Pilar Alva and baritone Javier Povedano. The characters and wardrobe have been developed along modern lines to establish a reference to modern times and the increased popularity of gambling establishments. The connection to the issues affecting today’s youth is one of the goals of this production. To this end, the singers are young, and the wardrobe of the main characters, Serpilla and Bacocco, has been designed to resemble the clothing worn by Rosalía and Bad Bunny.
The orchestra will appear onstage and interact with the singers. The musicians, their chairs, music stands and musical instruments will also be involved in the performance. For example, when Bacocco hides from Serpilla, he seeks refuge under a harpsichord.
Videos are used to create settings and to show events that take place offstage. For example, during the introduction of the intermezzo, a video shows a scene in which Bacocco is gambling in a casino, loses everything, leaves shirtless and wanders through the streets of Madrid until he comes onstage for his song.
Text: Antonio Salvi (libretto)
Composer: Niccolò Jommelli
Musical direction: Aarón Zapico
Stage direction and dramaturgy: Ana Contreras
Video scene: Violeta Némec
Lighting design: Pilar Velasco and Ana Contreras
Camera assistant: Alec Santiago
Assistant director: Lara Contreras
Technical coordination: Violeta Némec
Costume loan: Resad
Production: Forma Antiqva
Executive production: Enrique Payo
A production of Forma Antiqva with recovery of the Instituto Complutense de Ciencias Musicales (ICCMU) whose critical edition is part of the R&D project ‘Espacios, géneros y públicos de la música en Madrid’ PHS-2024/PH-HUM-194-MadMusic CM, financed by the Dirección General de Investigación e Innovación Tecnológica de la Comunidad de Madrid.
Acknowledgements: Resad, CMP La Lavadora Theater Laboratory, Cristina García Ael, Cristina Hernández Cruz, Bárbara Rodríguez Martín.
Serpilla: Pilar Alva-Martín, soprano
Bacocco: Javier Povedano, baritone
Musicians: Forma Antiqva
Choir: Isabel Real and the singers of Sonora
Choir singers: Adriana Cortés, Cristina Hernández Cruz, Lucila Juliá, María Salazar
Tenerife actress: Bárbara Rodríguez Martín, Basi Torres, Conchi Garcia Fernández, Elena Belsabat, Goretti Rosales Padrón, Lara Contreras, María Teresa Devora García, Mariant Lameda, Nuria López Siverio, Olga Nalda de Navacerrada, Rosabel Silva
Video scene actresses: Alec Santiago, Amalia González Bermejo, Amaya Gómez Urrea, Ana Bayo Calleja, Ana Martín, Ana Ruiz Bolaños, Beatriz Santiago Ortiz, Begoña Pérez Arias, Belén Sánchez, Belinda Esquinas Auge, Blanca Jimena González, Blanca Serradilla Alonso, Rosario Frisuelos Muñoz, Concha López, Concha Real Verde, Concha Salinas, Esther Murillo Rodríguez, Julia Hidalgo Calahorra, Laura Alonso Cano, Leticia Gómez, Mabel Pearson, María Serrano Caballero, Marta Díaz Marcos, Mercedes Toscano González, Narcisa López Domínguez, Nélida Magdaleno, Noelia Ortega, Olga Crespo, Paloma Tabasco Torinos, Pilar Mateo Meléndez, Raquel Sánchez Ramirez, Victoria Gullón Diego, Violante Sáez Gast
Bacocco returns home after a night of gambling. He has lost everything: his money, his cape, his hat, etc. His wife, Serpilla, waits for him at the door. Fed up with her husband, she is contemplating a divorce. When she scolds him for having spent the night gambling and returning shirtless, Bacocco lies, telling her he has been with friends with whom he is studying scripture and, taking the teachings to heart, has given his hat and clothing to the poor. Serpilla discovers in his pocket a book in which he has taken note of his losses. Infuriated, she says she is going to ask for a divorce, ignoring Bacocco’s repeated promise that he will give up gambling.
Bacocco realises that the courts will not be in session that day and enlists a friend who works as the court doorman to help him. He disguises himself as the judge and hears Serpilla’s case. She tells him of her misfortunes and says she wants a divorce. Bacocco, disguised as the judge, sympathises with her for her marriage to such a scoundrel. He says he understands her circumstances and her anger, and he says he will grant her divorce immediately if she admits that she has a lover. After some hesitation, Serpilla confesses, and Bacocco reveals himself and chides her. After Serpilla reacts with shame, they forgive each other. Bacocco promises anew that he will give up gambling, and the two profess their love.
Click here for further information on the children’s theatre workshop, The Small Scene, offered by Espacio La Granja. The workshop takes place in a hall adjacent to the venue during its opening hours to help the public facilitate their leisure plans and parental obligations. Click here.
Discount pass Ópera en minúscula La Granja: For the purchase of tickets to the two Ópera en minúscula (Small-format Opera) shows held at the La Granja venue, spectators shall receive a 25% discount. Available here.