La chulapona (Torroba)

Pilar Lorengar, Teresa Berganza, Carlos Fagoaga. Orfeón Donostiarra, Orquesta Sinfónica, c. Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos
BMG Ariola España WD 71977

A terrific account of Torroba's nostalgic evocation of the great days of the Madrid zarzuela. Street songs, dances, barrel organs and romantic dúos make for a heady mix, delivered with aplomb by Frühbeck and his superb team, with Fagoaga as José María far from outfaced by the stellar casting of the two ladies in his life. The lack of any form of notes or plot summary beyond bare track listings is a drawback in the current reissue, and the considerable cuts - originally made to fit the score onto one LP - are frustrating; but to be honest they're no bar to enjoying what's there.

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