The Spanish zarzuela LOS GAVILANES (The Sparrow Hawks) by Jacinto Guerrero closes the Toronto Operetta Theatre’s 2015-16 Season with four performances, April 27, 29, 30 (mat) & May 1 (mat), 2016 at the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts in the heart of Toronto’s theatre district. TOT’s introduction ofzarzuela – a genre of operetta unique to Spain – to Canadian audiences began with LA REVOLTOSA in 2003 and was followed by CECILIA VALDES, EL BARBERILLO DE LAVAPIES, LUISA FERNANDA and LA GRAN VIA, proclaiming a commitment to the promotion of Spanish AND Latin American culture in the GTA. LOS GAVILANES will be sung in its original language with English subtitles and dialogue in English by Guillermo Silva-Marin.
LOS GAVILANES has an enviable reputation in Hispanic and Latin American communities–among the most popular of the almost 600 works of zarzuela available. General Director Guillermo Silva-Marín’s Hispanic background proves a major asset, guiding a culturally diverse cast through this unique work. Guerrero’s LOS GAVILANES is filled with the fire and passion of Spain as romance, fortune hunters and unrequited love blend for an unforgettable musical adventure.
LOS GAVILANES deals with a once poor but now wealthy landowner who returns to his village in Spain from Peru. Jacinto Guerrero adds a mixture of new world sounds to his compositional range that enriches the zarzuela’s musical profile with a powerful Latin/Spanish character filled with melody and emotional resonance. LOS GAVILANES features TOT favourites Miriam Khalil, Ernesto Ramírez and the return to the stage ofGuillermo Silva-Marín, as the ageing Juan. The cast also includes emerging artistsDiego Catalá, Sarah Forestieri, Anna Caroline Macdonald, Rosalind McArthur,Austin Larusson, Tamera Newberry, and Gregory Finney. Conducted by Larry Beckwith and directed by Gillermo Silva-Marin and Virginia Reh, this Canadian Premiere is sure to be a highlight of the season and an event not to be missed.
In addition to support from the Canada Council for the Arts, Toronto Arts Council, Ontario Arts Council, the Jackman Foundation, Nancy Ruth’s Very Own Foundation and Bedolfe Foundation, the company counts among its partners the J. P. Bickell Foundation, HotHouse Restaurant and Bar, Huziak Graphic Designs, The Consul General of Spain, The Club Hispano de Toronto and media sponsors Epoch Times, MZ Media and NTD Television. The St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts is wheelchair accessible and close to public transit and municipal parking. Call the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts at 416-366-7723, 1–800-708-7654 or online at www.stlc.com