Instituto Cervantes invites audiences to discover the shared history of Spanish zarzuela and Filipino sarswela through a workshop and live concert at the University of Santo Tomas.
The Philippines and Spain share a rich cultural history, one that continues to find expression in music and the performing arts. This November 9 to 13, 2026, that connection is highlighted through ZarzuelaZarzuelaZarzuela is a Spanish-origin musical theater form adopted and adapted in the Philippines, blending spoken dialogue, song, and dance into culturally specific narrative works. Philippine cultural institutions and patrons continueGo to Zarzuela Glossary>Sarswela, presented by Instituto Cervantes, the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines, the University of Santo Tomas (UST), and the Teatro de la Zarzuela. Now in its second consecutive year, the initiative will hold a five-day masterclass at the UST Conservatory of Music, led by Spanish soprano María Rodríguez and pianist and vocal coach Belén Castillo.
The workshop gathers students and musicians for sessions in vocal technique, musical interpretation, and stage preparation, culminating in a public concert on November 14 at 530 PM.
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The Shared History Of Spanish Zarzuela And Filipino Sarswela
ZarzuelaZarzuelaZarzuela is a Spanish-origin musical theater form adopted and adapted in the Philippines, blending spoken dialogue, song, and dance into culturally specific narrative works. Philippine cultural institutions and patrons continueGo to Zarzuela Glossary is a form of lyric theater that originated in Spain, combining spoken dialogue with singing and instrumental music. When it reached the Philippines during the Spanish colonial period, the genre gradually developed into the Filipino sarswela, taking on stories, characters, and musical expressions reflective of local experiences and social concerns.
The concert will explore this relationship through works by Spanish composers Francisco Asenjo Barbieri and Pablo Sorozábal, including selections from El barberillo de Lavapiés (1874) and La del manojo de rosas (1934). Filipino classics such as Severino Reyes’ “Walang Sugat” and José Estella’s “Filipinas para los Filipinos” will be joining the line-up. Together, these works offer a glimpse of how an imported theatrical form evolved into its own distinct art form, carrying Filipino stories and sensibilities across generations.
Who Are María Rodríguez And Belén Castillo?
Leading the workshop is María Rodríguez, an acclaimed Spanish soprano whose career spans opera and zarzuela. A graduate of the Performing Arts program at Madrid’s RESAD, Rodríguez has established herself through several international singing competitions, winning both the Spoleto and Irún competitions and earning a place as a finalist in Operalia.
Her performance career positioned her beside some of opera’s most distinguished names, including Plácido Domingo and José Carreras. For ZarzuelaZarzuelaZarzuela is a Spanish-origin musical theater form adopted and adapted in the Philippines, blending spoken dialogue, song, and dance into culturally specific narrative works. Philippine cultural institutions and patrons continueGo to Zarzuela Glossary>Sarswela, she’ll be sharing her expertise with participants, guiding them through the vocal demands and expressive qualities of the repertoire.
Joining her is Belén Castillo, a Spanish pianist, vocal coach, and professor at the Escuela Superior de Canto de Madrid. She also regularly collaborates with the Teatro Real, taking her experience in musical interpretation and performance preparation to the masterclass.
The culminating “ZarzuelaZarzuelaZarzuela is a Spanish-origin musical theater form adopted and adapted in the Philippines, blending spoken dialogue, song, and dance into culturally specific narrative works. Philippine cultural institutions and patrons continueGo to Zarzuela Glossary>Sarswela” concert will take place on November 14 at 530 PM at the Conservatory of Music, University of Santo Tomas, Manila. Admission is free, with prior online registration required. Those interested in attending may secure their slots through the official registration form. For further announcements and information, visit Instituto Cervantes de Manila or its official Facebook page.
All photos courtesy of Instituto Cervantes de Manila
Frequently Asked Question
Zarzuela>Sarswela is a cultural initiative presented by Instituto Cervantes, the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines, the University of Santo Tomas, and the Teatro de la Zarzuela. Now in its second year, it celebrates the shared musical heritage of Spain and the Philippines through a five-day masterclass and a culminating concert.
The five-day masterclass will run from November 9 to 13, 2026, at the UST Conservatory of Music in Manila. The culminating concert will take place on November 14 at 5:30 PM at the same venue.
Yes. Admission to the November 14 concert is free, but prior online registration is required through the official registration form.
The masterclass will be led by Spanish soprano María Rodríguez and pianist and vocal coach Belén Castillo. Rodríguez specializes in opera and zarzuela, while Castillo is a professor at the Escuela Superior de Canto de Madrid and regularly collaborates with the Teatro Real.
The concert will feature Spanish zarzuela selections from El barberillo de Lavapiés by Francisco Asenjo Barbieri and La del manojo de rosas by Pablo Sorozábal. The Filipino repertoire will include Jose Estella’s Filipinas para los Filipinos and selections from Walang Sugat.
