The Spanish Government has approved a proposal of the Minister of Culture, to include the zarzuela in the immaterial cultural heritage, thus contributing to the preservation and standardization of the genre, making it accessible both to those interested in its knowledge and to the general public. Zarzuela is a lyric-dramatic genre that alternates between spoken and sung scenes, the latter incorporating operatic and popular songs, as well as dance. It can be compared to the operetta or the Opéra Comique.
According to the Ministry of Culture’s communiqué, zarzuela « has become an identifying element of Spanish culture due to its versatility when it comes to gathering different musical contents and styles. Its unique musical characteristics, the result of hybridization with popular music, have transcended the stage to permeate the collective imagination, which has made this repertoire its own and has used it in various ways… In addition to its musical value, its link to everyday and popular themes and its constant recreation by the community have made it feel like an integral expression of the common cultural and experiential space. »
