The Chamber Hall will be transformed into the North American radio station of the 1940s that saw the debut of this comedy

 

Auditorio de Tenerife, a cultural space linked to the Department of Culture of Tenerife Island Council and managed by the island's Minister of Culture Enrique Arriaga, has programmed for the first time in Spain The old maid and the thief. This opera by Gian Carlo Menotti was commissioned by the North American station NBC, which debuted it on the airwaves in April 1939 with a success that later took it to the stage. The performances will take place in the Chamber Hall on the 22, 23, 29 and 30 of January at 7:30 p.m.

This staged chamber opera will transform the Chamber Hall into a radio station from the 1940s to bring back its first broadcast, while at the same time introducing the public to the world that Menotti wrote – a world full of moral dilemmas and lots of fun, thanks to the tools of radio: live music, sound effects, and the talent of the singers. Alicia Peraza is in charge of stage direction and set design, with Javier Lanis on the piano as the musical director. Leo Martínez has designed the costumes for this production by Tenerife Opera and Hugo Carugatti is in charge of lighting design.

The cast is made up of singers from the Canary Islands: the mezzo-soprano Silvia Zorita will be Miss Todd, the baritone Fernando Campero will play Bob, the soprano Candelaria González will play the maid, Laetitia, and the soprano Estefanía Perdomo will play the role of the neighbour, Miss Pinkerton. This piece, inspired by the opera buffa of the eighteenth century, takes place in a city in which very intimate and powerful desires, gossip, and secrets are hidden under an apparently picturesque and calm veil. 

The simple and routine life of a single middle-aged woman (Miss Todd), who shares her days of knitting and gossip with her friend (Miss Pinkerton), is turned upside down when a beggar knocks on her door, the handsome Bob.  Miss Todd and her maid Laetitia quickly fall in love with the beggar and take him in under the guise of Steve, Miss Todd's cousin, despite learning that he could be a convict who has escaped from prison, accused of stealing.  When their suspicions grow, the plot twists begin.

Tickets can be purchased until fifteen minutes before each performance on the website www.auditoriodetenerife.com and by dialling the phone number 902 317 327 from Monday to Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturdays 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. 

By purchasing tickets, you accept the measures implemented by the cultural centre to combat COVID-19, such as the correct use of masks and the attendance at the event only with people you live with.

In addition, spectators over 12 years and 3 months of age will be asked to provide the following at the time they access the venue: a COVID-19 certificate showing fully vaccinated status, a negative COVID-19 active infection diagnostic test performed in the last 48 hours by a legally authorised laboratory (at-home tests from the chemists are not allowed), or an official certificate proving that you have had the infection between 11 and 180 days prior to the event. Along with any of these three options, you will additionally be asked to show a personal ID. All of the measures, as well as the contingency plan certified by AENOR, can be consulted on the Auditorium’s website.