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The counter-tenor, Alberto Miguélez Rouco, on the musical side and Rafael R. Villalobos (Orphée or Marie) in the stage side, direct an adaptation of this zarzuela by José de Nebra. A classic piece with five performances on 25, 26, 28 and 30 March and 1 April at the Teatro de la Zarzuela.

Following the policy of recovering Spanish lyrical heritage, this 18th century work, premièred in the privacy of the Duke of Medinaceli in 1744, by José de Nebra, one of the most important composers of his period, has been rescued. It was performed in 2012 in concerto version, but now it is back on the stage as a contemporary zarzuela.

Its plot is based on the sources of the Roman historian, Tito Livio, with which William Shakespeare later wrote a tragic narrative poem. It shows how prior to the establishment of the Roman Republic in 509 BC, in the city of Ardea, the soldier, Collatinus describes his beautiful and traditional wife, Lucrece, to his fellow soldier, Tarquinius. The following morning, Tarquinius travels to Collatinus’ house, where he is received by Lucrecia. After introducing himself and telling the tales of her husband in the battlefield, Lucrece invites him to stay overnight. That very night, Tarquinius rapes her.

A story that delves into violence against women, tyranny and revenge is explored. It was also taken to the opera in 1946 with music by Benjamin Britten and the libretto by Ronald Duncan.

An accessible theatre performance has been organised on Saturday, 1 April with a talk beforehand and an audio description.

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