Other forms: zarzuelas
Zarzuela is a genre of Spanish musical theater that blends singing, spoken dialogue, and dancing. A zarzuela is usually lighthearted and comical, like a story about a mischievous fisherman accidentally starting a village feud over a stolen sardine.
A zarzuela is like a vibrant mini opera, or operetta, with a uniquely Spanish flair. It combines popular music and classical music with elements of folk storytelling and dance. Zarzuela originated in 17th-century Spain, where it became a popular form of entertainment for the common, everyday people, focusing on relevant societal and cultural themes. A zarzuela may include political satire and often includes romantic entanglements that resolve happily.