Love Conquers Impossible Love | Sebastián Durón (1660-1716)
First performed: 1710, Madrid | Staged by the Orchestra of New Spain: 2019, Dallas
This brilliant two-act comic opera marks one of the most historically significant turning points in the evolution of Spanish zarzuela, a genre of traditional Spanish drama featuring spoken dialogue and music. Zarzuelas of this flavor focused on mythological beings, regional folklore, and allegorical battles–often for the purpose of entertaining the Spanish royal court.
Love Conquers Impossible Love masterfully blends traditional roots with the dramatic influence of Italian operatic idioms. In true Baroque style, the story is based on the classical myth of Danae, featuring high-stakes romantic and combative tension between mortals and Greek gods.
The Orchestra of New Spain staged and performed Love Conquers Impossible Love on February 21st & 22nd, 2019, at the Moody Performance Hall, one of the last performances in Dallas before the COVID-19 shutdowns. Directed by Federico Figueroa; Conducted by Grover Wilkins 3d.
Watch the Act I grand finale: Julipters Aria
The Story
Act I
The squadron of Lisidante shipwrecks in a storm, and he is saved along with aides Celauro and Triton. They’ve arrived in Phoenicia, the land of his arch-enemy King Acrisio and his daughter Danae, whom Lisidante wants to conquer—in love. Disguised as a soldier, he says that Lisidante perished in the wreck. In King Acrisio’s retinue are Danae, Filida (who falls in love at first sight with Lisidante), and his lieutenant Polidectes (who is also in love with Danae). The gods Jupiter and Amor (Cupid) appear, jealously challenging each other’s preeminence, leading to a fight. Amor wins, his arrow leaving Jupiter wounded—with love for Danae. Jupiter has a wife, the goddess Juno, and Danae becomes furious on discovering that their suitor is married. Lisidante overhears this and believes the reference is to himself. He declares his love for Danae but is rejected. Meanwhile, Juno informs Acrisio and the people of Phoenicia that Danae’s beauty has offended the Heavens. As punishment for her fault, she is to be imprisoned in a tower from which she can never escape unless it—Impossibly— rains gold.
Watch the full first act while following the story!
Act II
Jupiter discovers that Danae is to be imprisoned. Juno sees how he is hopelessly in love with Danae. But Jupiter gives in to Amor, who promises to make the Impossible rain of gold. For her part, Juno promises to make the plan of the god Amor impossible. Lisidante, Celauro, and Triton appear at the tower disguised as soldiers. They propose to open the tower from the inside and rescue Danae. But Jupiter appears as well, accompanied by Amor, who, with music and herbs, puts the guards to sleep. They go in to take Danae. Lisidante awakens and leads the army to rescue Danae. At this moment, some marvelous music is heard, and there is a shower of gold. Júpiter, Danae, and Amor affirm that the Impossible has been realized. In the end, they all corroborate that “Love Conquers Impossible Love!”.
Watch as love conqures impossible love in this full second act recording