Free Workshop Offered In Conjunction W/ LUISA FERNANDA

Pacific Lyric Association is offering a free Workshop for Educators in conjunction with its upcoming production of Luisa Fernanda, the Zarzuela. The Workshop for Educators takes place on Saturday, January 31 from 9 am-12 pm at Art/Works Theatre in Hollywood. Performances of Luisa Fernanda will take place February 19-21 at the Ricardo Montalban Theatre.

"As a high school and college theater educator for over 35 years, I'm struck by the art form of zarzuela as a powerful learning experience for students of theater, music, history and Spanish," explains workshop coordinator Barbara Masters. "With its stirring music and intriguing characters, I believe that Luisa Fernanda will excite the diverse young people of Southern California who have little or no knowledge of this honored and widely recognized Spanish lyric opera form. It's a wonderful opportunity to enhance the arts and cultural education of our students."

A zarzuela (pronounced zar zway' la) is a Spanish musical that blends the brilliance of Broadway with the passion of opera. The art form had its inception near Madrid in the 1640s. Influenced over the centuries by Italian and French musical styles, but retaining a distinct personality, zarzuelas flourished as a popular entertainment in the 1920s and '30s.

Workshop participants will learn about the origins, history and components of the zarzuela form; explore the social and historical background of Luisa Fernanda - including the Spanish political climate in both 1868, when the zarzuela is set, and 1932, when it was written; hear music and songs sung by members of the cast; and receive a copy of "El Cuaderno" ("The Notebook"), an eight-page, in-depth, California State Standards-based study guide that can be used as a teaching tool.

Formed in 2006 by Dr. Carlos Oliva, Pacific Lyric Association is a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization that is dedicated to making the operatic art form more accessible to the general public through education and affordable ticket prices.

"Our goal is to educate and create new audiences for opera among young people, especially within disadvantaged and emerging communities," says Oliva.

The Workshop for Educators takes place on Saturday, January 31 from 9 am to 12 pm at Art/Works Theatre, 6959 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood CA 90038. Admission is free. To register for the workshop, and to learn more about bringing students to experience Luisa Fernanda, contact Barbara Masters at (800) 928-8236 or bggmasters@gmail.com.

Performances of Luisa Fernanda are scheduled on Thursday, February 19 at 8 pm; Friday, February 20 at 8 pm; and Saturday, February 21 at 3 pm and 8 pm. The Ricardo Montalbán Theatre is located at 1615 Vine Street, Hollywood CA 90028. For more information about the performances, call (323) 960-1057 or go to www.luisafernanda.org./