– A Hilarious Comedy cohosted by the CCRT, New Delhi in collaboration with The Neemrana Music Foundation in partnership with the Embassy of Spain in India and Instituto Cervantes New Delhi on February 25, 2020 @CCRTNewDelhi. The genre was Spanish Zarzuela. The spectacular sets were designed by CCRT’s Scholarship Alumnus, Ms Boishali Sinha (1995-2005) who studied Fine Arts in France, has worked in Bollywood as Production Designer for 10 years and designed aesthetically rich sets in more than 25 films.
Shri Rishi Kumar Vashist, Director, CCRT felicitated the Chief Guest, Dr Tadepalli, Kuchipudi Dance Exponent and SNA Yuva Puruskar Awardee and Guest of Honour, Ms Priya, Director, The Neemrana Music Foundation. He shared with the audience about CCRT’s new international collaboration, showcasing the Spanish Operetta written in 1910 travelling through the streets of Madrid, Paris, Venice and India. He said that this was only the beginning of a new chapter of CCRT’s cultural partnerships in the years/time to come.
Priya Wacziarg, Managing Trustee of The Neemrana Music Foundation referred to her father Francis Wacziarg, who was a great patron of the arts and believed that art is universal and can grow anywhere when the heart is in the right place. She appreciated the Indian singers and highlighted their ability to become Opera singers within 3- 4 years of training whereas it usually takes close to a decade to master this art.
The melodious singing and compositions, along with the energetic presentation and the colourful backdrops and sets reminded the Indian audience of a Bollywood show. The show comprised of a cross cultural mix of cast and crew, across generations, who put forth a wonderfully harmonious performance.
All in all, this hilarious Spanish Operetta sung in Spanish with scenes in English was an AC/E’s Programme for the Internationalisation of Spanish Culture (PICE) . This zarzuela piece was brought to life by the Spanish pianist Rubén Sánchez; Voice Coach Jasmin Martorelland and Stage Director Yashraj Jadhav, who directed young Indian soloists of The Neemrana Music Foundation and 30 choir singers.
