Ten Spanish students from Instituto Hemingway attended a performance of El Barberillo de Lavapiés, a zarzuela play by Francisco Asenjo Barbieri, at the Teatro Arriaga in Bilbao on January 27th. The play alternated between spoken and sung scenes and used two love stories and the 18th century political struggle in Madrid between Floridablanca and Grimaldi as a backdrop. While sometimes difficult to understand, the performance was enjoyable and the acting and singing were excellent. Afterward, the students went to Casco Viejo for drinks and conversation.

1. Spanish students in the Arriaga Theatre in Bilbao
On Wednesday 27th January, ten students from Instituto Hemingway enjoyed a
performance of El Barberillo de Lavapiés, a play by Francisco Asenjo Barbieri, at the
Teatro Arriaga. The play was a zarzuela, which is of a Spanish genre that alternates
between spoken and sung scenes, much like a musical.
The play was bases in the political struggle in 1770s Madrid between the two factions of
Floridablanca and Grimaldi played the back-drop for two love stories, one between two
plebeians: Paloma and Lamparilla; the other between two aristocrats: La Marquesita
Estrella and Don Luis Haro, either from each side of the political divide. Finally,
Grimaldi is toppled and Floridablanca assumes power. Political and social bliss then
descends on Madrid and the two couples unite.
The play was very enjoyable, if sometimes a little difficult to understand – although the
subtitles displayed above the stage certainly helped. The acting and singing were both
excellent. After the play, everyone went to Casco Viejo to enjoy some drinks and chat.
Harriet Smart
British Spanish student in Bilbao