Major Performances | From the archives to the stage
Every year, the Orchestra of New Spain produces a major staged performance in the form of opera, dance, or theatre. These productions feature baroque composers, Latin traditions, and often bring in modern interpretations of these age-old stories. Explore our library of staged productions below, organized by year from most to least recent.
Danza Española | Spring 2025
choreographed by Jaime Puente, Noemí Orgaz Aragón, and Julia Alcantará
Danza Española: from Escuela Bolera to Flamenco is an exhilarating theatrical concert that traces the rich, historical evolution of Spanish dance. This vibrant production journeys from the highly stylized European courtly traditions of the 18th century down to the passionate, earthy expressions of contemporary flamenco. Audiences are treated to a magnificent exploration of cultural heritage where the grace of classical ballet principles seamlessly blends with distinct Spanish rhythms and spirit.
The program unfolds as a dynamic chronological showcase, starting with the complex, balletic footwork and castanets of the traditional escuela bolera style. The performance then shifts into a late 19th-century café cantante atmosphere, delighting audiences with intimate solo vignettes that served as the precursors to modern flamenco stages. The energy transitions into three witty tonadillas—charming 18th-century musical comedies brought to life like a living Goya painting—before culminating in a fiery, percussive finale of authentic contemporary flamenco.
The Orchestra of New Spain performed Danza Española on February 7th, 2025, at Moody Performance Hall. Jaime Puente, Noemí Orgaz Aragón, Julia Alcantará; choreographers.
Click the video above to watch the full performance--you won't want to miss this exciting display of flamenco artistry!
Apolo & Dafne | Summer 2023
composed by Sebastián Durón(1660-1716) and Juan de Navas(1650-1719)
Apolo y Dafne is a vibrant Spanish Baroque zarzuela that reimagines Ovid’s classic mythological tale into a high-energy theatrical comedy. Composed circa 1705, this unique collaboration features a sparkling first act by Royal Chapel master Sebastián Durón and a brilliant second act by court harpist Juan de Navas. Together, they laced the score with lively Spanish dance rhythms and rich emotional melodies that bring a spirited rivalry between Apollo and Cupid to life.
The narrative unfolds in the rustic countryside of Thessaly, beginning with Apollo's heroic victory over a monstrous python terrorizing the villagers. Flush with pride, Apollo mocks Cupid's archery skills, sparking a divine feud of revenge where Cupid unleashes his enchanted arrows—cursing Apollo with desperate love and the nymph Daphne with a fierce aversion to romance. Audiences experience a highly engaging spectacle filled with witty humor, dramatic laments, and intense emotional conflict that explores the timeless battle between reason and passion.
The Orchestra of New Spain performed Apolo y Dafne on May 13th-13th, 2023, at Moody Performance Hall. Federico Figueroa, stage director.
Jump right into the action of this performance with this exciting Act II opening scene!
Flamenco Pastorela | Spring 2022
in partnership with Joaquín Encinias and Yjastros
Flamenco Pastorela is an exciting theatrical concert that reimagines the traditional Mexican and New Mexican holiday nativity folk play through the lens of Spanish dance. This festive production traces the historical evolution of the pastorela from its early indigenous pueblo roots up to modern flamenco.
The narrative follows the colorful encounters of the shepherds on their journey to Bethlehem as they battle various devils, temptation, and the seven deadly sins. Audiences experience a highly engaging, family-friendly spectacle where theatrical storytelling meets the dramatic percussive footwork of the dancers. The Orchestra of New Spain paired early Spanish Renaissance dance music with dynamic choreography by Joaquín Encinias and the dancers of Yjastros: The American Flamenco Repertory Company to bring this spirited battle of good versus evil to life.
The Orchestra of New Spain performed Flamenco Pastorela on February 18th-19th, 2022, at Moody Performance Hall. Joaquín Encinias, artistic director of Yjastros.
SIt back and enjoy this moving production with storytelling, live music, and of course flamenco!
Love Conquers Impossible Love | Spring 2020
composed by Sebastián Durón(1660-1716)
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 Moody Performance Hall, one of the last performances in Dallas before the COVID-19 shutdowns. Federico Figueroa, stage director.
Watch this cosmic, emotional conflict between Jupiter and Amor in this finale from Act I!
Rise of Flamenco | Spring 2019
choreographed by Daniel Doña and Christian Martín
Rise of Flamenco is an exciting collaborative production that traces the evolution of Spanish dance from its early historic roots to modern flamenco. This dynamic project merges early Spanish musical traditions like fandangos and jácaras with the raw, piercing energy of contemporary street forms.
Audiences journey through a vibrant historical timeline, experiencing everything from classical courtly rhythms to intimate, powerful solo dances. The performance beautifully pairs the live instrumentation of the Orchestra of New Spain with large group choreographies that explore the profound lineage of the art form. Under the leadership of artistic director Joaquín Encinias, we partnered with the acclaimed Yjastros: The American Flamenco Repertory Company and guest choreographers Daniel Doña and Christian Martín to bring this breathtaking dance evolution to life.
The Orchestra of New Spain performed Rise of Flamenco on February 15th-16th, 2019, at Moody Performance Hall. Doña and Martín, choreographers. Joaquín Encinias, artistic director of Yjastros.
Click to watch Act I of our production in partnership with the illustrious Yjastros Flamenco Company!
Achilles on Skyros | Spring 2018
composed by Francisco Courcelle (1705-1778)
Achilles on Skyros is an exciting Baroque opera that brought the grand, Italian-influenced theatrical style of 18th-century Madrid to life. Originally composed to celebrate a royal wedding, this historic masterwork marked a massive turning point for the Spanish stage, representing the exact moment the royal court shifted away from traditional zarzuelas to embrace fully-sung European opera.
The story follows the young hero Achilles, whose mother hides him in a royal harem disguised as a woman to protect him from a prophecy of war. Audiences experience a delightful tale of romance and identity as Ulysses eventually tricks the legendary warrior into revealing his true self. The Orchestra of New Spain brought this forgotten manuscript back to the stage for its modern world premiere, showcasing the brilliant, expressive melodies of Francisco Courcelle—the mastermind often celebrated as the "Spanish Handel".
The Orchestra of New Spain performed Achile en Sciro on February 9th-10th, 2018, at Moody Performance Hall. This performance is in memoriam of Gustavo Tambascio(1949-2018). Jaime Puente, choreographer and stage director.
Click to watch Acts I and II from our fully staged production of Achilles on Skyros!
Misa Flamenca | Spring 2017
choreographed by Danica Sena
Misa Flamenca is an exciting cross-genre production that blends 18th-century sacred music with traditional Spanish dance. This unique collaboration with flamenco and ballet choreography beautifully merges the solemn grandeur of the royal court with vibrant street artistry.
The performance interweaves the soaring choral melodies of Francisco Courcelle's church masterpiece, the Missa Ave Maris Stella, with two distinct styles of movement. Audiences experience an uplifting artistic dialogue as the graceful elegance of the Avant Chamber Ballet contrasts with intimate, spirited flamenco interludes. Led by head choreographer Danica Sena, the Orchestra of New Spain partnered with Son y Tacón and Avant to create a joyful, seamless bridge between the cathedral and the courtyard.
The Orchestra of New Spain performed Misa Flamenca on February 16th-17th, 2017, at Dallas City Performance Hall. Danica Sena, choreographer and director of Son Y Tacón.
Enjoy this choreographic canon by Avant Chamber Ballet, followed by an intimate flamenco quartet fron Son y Tacón!
Iphigenia en Tracia | Spring 2016
composed by José de Nebra (1702-1768)
Iphigenia en Tracia is a late-Baroque zarzuela, an 18th-century Spanish lyric-dramatic genre combining spoken theater, dance, and music. Premiering in Madrid's newly rebuilt Corral de la Cruz, these popular theatrical works broadsided heavy classical tragedy with street-level comedy to captivate the broader Spanish public.
This 1747 masterpiece injects traditional Greek myth with vivid Mediterranean passion. The plot follows the high-stakes turmoil of Iphigenia, a priestess of Diana, who inadvertently sentences her own long-lost brother Orestes to death after he attempts to steal a sacred temple statue. Known as the leading figure of late-Baroque Spanish opera, composer José de Nebra masterfully weaves Italian-style operatic intensity into a spectacular tapestry of brilliant arias and rhythmic Spanish folk dances.
The Orchestra of New Spain staged and performed Iphigenia en Tracia on February 13th-14th, 2016, at Dallas City Performance Hall. Gustavo Tambascio, stage director.
Watch as fate unfolds between Iphigenia and Orestes in this double aria exerpt from Act I!
Cupid's New Weapons of Love | Spring 2013
composed by Sebastián Durón (1660-1716)
Las Nuevas Armas de Amor is a baroque 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.
This 1711 masterpiece blends classical mythology with lively Spanish rhythms. The plot follows a mischievous Cupid who loses his traditional bow and arrows after a confrontation with Jupiter. Seeking revenge, Cupid forms an unlikely alliance with his rival, the goddess Diana, to secure new, even more chaotic weapons. Known for his expressive melodies, composer Sebastián Durón masterfully weaves this lighthearted divine battle into a brilliant treasure of the Spanish Baroque theater.
The Orchestra of New Spain staged and performed Las Nuevas Armas de Amor on February 14th-16th, 2013, at Dallas City Performance Hall. Gustavo Tambascio, stage director.
Watch Carla López Speziale's Cupid transform his emotional suffering into the greatest weapon–the weapon of love in this pivotal Act I Scene!