The production is premièred in Spain and transforms the hall into a North American radio station of the 1940s

 

This weekend the Auditorio de Tenerife bids farewell to the opera "The old maid and the thief". The opera by Gian Carlo Menotti was commissioned by the North American station NBC, which successfully debuted it on the airwaves in April 1939 and later took it to the stage. The two last performances take place on 29 and 30 January at 7:30 p.m., and the tickets are sold out. 

"The old maid and the thief" was first shown in Spain last weekend. This production by Auditorio de Tenerife will transform the Chamber Hall into a radio station from the 1940s to present Menotti's comedy and introduce the public to a live broadcast. 

Alicia Peraza is in charge of the stage direction, with a proposal that enables the audience to participate in Menotti's original idea. It offers 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 and actors. 

The members of the cast are the mezzo-soprano Silvia Zorita (Miss Todd), the baritone Fernando Campero (Bob), the soprano Candelaria González (Laetitia), the soprano Estefanía Perdomo (Miss Pinkerton), the actors Alcides Cairós (Robert) and Joel Hernández (Roger). Javier Lanis and Luis López Tejedor round up the cast respectively as a pianist and a stage manager. This piece, inspired by the opera buffa of the 18th-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 neighbour (Miss Pinkerton), is turned upside down when a beggar knocked 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.

Apart from the stage direction, Alicia Peraza is in charge of the set design and works hand in hand with the pianist Javier Lanis as musical director. Leo Martínez has designed the costumes for this production by Tenerife Opera and Hugo Carugatti is in charge of the lighting design.

By purchasing tickets, you accept the measures implemented by the cultural centre to combat Coronavirus, such as the correct use of masks and 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 our website.