THE WILDCAT (PENELLA)

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.