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.
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
Cupid's New Weapons of Love | Las Nuevas Armas de Amor
First performed: 1711, Madrid | Staged by the Orchestra of New Spain: 2013, Dallas
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 the Dallas City Performance Hall. Directed by Gustavo Tambascio; Conducted by Grover Wilkins 3d.
Watch Carla López Speziale's Cupid transform his emotional suffering into the greatest weapon–the weapon of love in this pivotal Act I Scene!