Opera, mythology, jealousy, betrayal and artificial intelligence…
Not the combination most people expect on a weekend in La Laguna.
A Historic Spanish Zarzuela Returns to the Stage
🎭 Los celos hacen estrellas y el amor hace prodigios
📅 May 15th, 16th & 17th, 2026
📍 Teatro Leal — La Laguna
Ópera de Tenerife will present the first modern staging of this restored 17th-century baroque zarzuela, considered the oldest surviving Spanish work of its kind with complete score and libretto preserved.
Which, considering most of Juan Hidalgo’s work disappeared in a palace fire back in 1734, is fairly miraculous in itself.
A Production More Than 350 Years Old
The original work premiered in:
👑 February 1673
For the birthday celebrations of Queen Mariana of Austria during the reign of Carlos II.
Based on mythology from Ovid’s Metamorphoses, the story focuses on:
💔 Love
😒 Jealousy
⚡ Betrayal
🐄 A woman transformed into a cow
Standard Baroque opera behaviour really.
The Story
The plot centres around:
⚡ Jupiter
👑 Juno
🌸 The nymph Isis
After Jupiter falls for Isis, he transforms her into a cow to hide her from his jealous wife Juno.
As expected…
Things become increasingly chaotic from there.
Years of Restoration Work
Musicologists Álvaro Torrente and Carmelo Caballero spent years reconstructing the opera using incomplete manuscripts preserved across:
📚 National Library of Spain
⛪ Valladolid Cathedral
🎓 University of Santiago de Compostela
Resulting in the first full critical edition of both the music and libretto.
Baroque Music Meets Modern Technology
Musically, the production remains faithful to the original period style with a ten-piece ensemble led by:
🎼 Aarón Zapico
Featuring historical instruments including:
🎻 Violins
🎶 Theorbo
🎼 Harpsichord
🎺 Cornet
🎵 Recorder flute
Meanwhile the stage production takes a completely modern approach.
Director Ricardo Campelo combines:
🤖 Artificial intelligence
🖥 3D visual design
🎭 Contemporary staging
To create what he describes as “love viewed through a microscope.”
Which sounds either brilliant or deeply unsettling depending on your relationship history.
A Rare Cultural Event for Tenerife
The production forms part of Ópera de Tenerife’s chamber opera programme and represents a significant cultural milestone for Spanish lyrical heritage.
Not just another touring opera stopping briefly on the island.
Worth Knowing
Most people visiting Teatro Leal probably aren’t expecting to see a 1673 zarzuela involving gods, jealousy and AI-generated visuals.
Which honestly makes it far more interesting.