Las bravías (Chapí)

Ana María Iriarte, Julita Bermejo, Gerardo Monreal, Rafael Campos. Coro Cantores de Madrid, Orquesta Sinfónica, c. Ataúlfo Argenta
Novoson Z-561

Las bravías is based on Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew, and although it's not the most immediately tuneful of Chapí's one-act zarzuelas, the quality and interest of his orchestral imagination is never in doubt. The sequence of Madrid street dances is reminiscent of Chapí's contemporary Chueca, and almost equal that master's vitality. The performance is very good indeed, and is coupled with the equally desirable account of El barquillero, also under Argenta. Let us hope it soon makes an appearance on BMG CD, meantime this commercial tape is an acceptable stopgap.

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