C467C613-3523-4D2E-9A8C-933AD7B9958E

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IDC467C613-3523-4D2E-9A8C-933AD7B9958E
TitlecodeEBM0690012
Title NameCecilia Valdes: Cuban Zarzuela in Two Acts (Choral Score)
Marketing CopyCecilia Valdes is a Cuban Zarzuela based on the novel by Cirilo Villaverde. It is a work of importance for its quality, and its revelation of the interaction of classes and races in Havana, Cuba. The story takes place in colonial Cuba around 1830. The young and beautiful woman of mixed race, Cecilia Valdés, is the illegitimate daughter of powerful land magnate and slave trader, Cándido de Gamboa. Leonardo de Gamboa is his legitimate son. Leonardo falls in love with Cecilia, not realizing that she is his own half-sister, and they become lovers. At the same time, a poor black musician, José Dolores Pimienta, is also hopelessly in love with Cecilia. Cecilia rejects Pimenta's advances and conceives Leonardo's son.

However, love between Leonardo and Cecilia does not last. He abandons her and becomes betrothed to a white upper class woman, Isabel Ilincheta. Cecilia turns to the faithful Pimienta to plan revenge. On the day of his wedding, Leonardo is assassinated on the steps of the cathedral by Pimienta who acts on the instigation of Cecilia. Pimienta is executed, and she is thrown in prison.

Musical numbers:
1. Prelude: Instrumental on selections from love theme “El corazon no sabe mentir”
2. Po po po: An Afro-Cuban tango congo sung by ex-slave Dolores Santa Cruz
3. Yo Soy Cecilia Valdes – Salida de Cecilia (Song of Cecilia)
4. Marcha de los Estudiantes (Marcha Habana)
5 Dulce Quimera (Sweet Chimera)
6. Lamento de la Esclava (The Slave’s Lament)
7. Eres Mi Sueno (You are My Dream), aka Gran Duo
8. Tanila (sung by Dolores Santa Cruz,)
9. El corazon no sabe mentir (The heart does not know how to lie)
8. La Contradanza (ballet instrumental)
9. Hija del Amore (daughter of love) aka Cancion de Cuna, Lullaby
10. Sanctus
InstrumentationSoloists: Sop 2Ms.Ten.Bar.HighVoice, SATB Chorus, 2(Picc).2.2.2: 4.3.3.1: Timp.Perc(3-6): Pno.Hp: Str
Commission(not set)
Dedication(not set)
Program NotesCecilia Valdes is a Cuban Zarzuela based on the novel by Cirilo Villaverde. It is a work of importance for its quality, and its revelation of the interaction of classes and races in Havana, Cuba. The story takes place in colonial Cuba around 1830. The young and beautiful mulatta, Cecilia Valdés, is the illegitimate daughter of powerful land magnate and slave trader, Cándido de Gamboa. Leonardo de Gamboa is his legitimate son. Leonardo falls in love with Cecilia, not realizing that she is his own half-sister, and they become lovers. At the same time, a poor black musician, José Dolores Pimienta, is also hopelessly in love with Cecilia. Cecilia rejects Pimenta's advances and conceives Leonardo's son.

However, love between Leonardo and Cecilia does not last. He abandons her and becomes betrothed to a white upper class woman, Isabel Ilincheta. Cecilia turns to the faithful Pimienta to plan revenge. On the day of his wedding, Leonardo is assassinated on the steps of the cathedral by Pimienta who acts on the instigation of Cecilia. Pimienta is executed, and she is thrown in prison.

Musical numbers:
1. Prelude: Instrumental on selections from love theme “El corazon no sabe mentir”
2. Po po po: An Afro-Cuban tango congo sung by ex-slave Dolores Santa Cruz
3. Yo Soy Cecilia Valdes – Salida de Cecilia (Song of Cecilia)
4. Marcha de los Estudiantes (Marcha Habana)
5 Dulce Quimera (Sweet Chimera)
6. Lamento de la Esclava (The Slave’s Lament)
7. Eres Mi Sueno (You are My Dream), aka Gran Duo
8. Tanila (sung by Dolores Santa Cruz,)
9. El corazon no sabe mentir (The heart does not know how to lie)
8. La Contradanza (ballet instrumental)
9. Hija del Amore (daughter of love) aka Cancion de Cuna, Lullaby
10. Sanctus
Title Brand0
Year Composed1932
Copyright Number(not set)
Copyright Year(not set)
Duration150
Ensemble Size13
Date Created2019-10-11 20:22:51.000000
Date Updated2025-09-30 20:22:51
Inhouse Note(not set)
Bsc Code(not set)
Text AuthorText by Agustin Rodriguez and Jose Sanchez-Arcilla
Premier Performance Memo(not set)
Recording Credits(not set)
Review(not set)
Awards(not set)
Title Category6
Title Movements(not set)
Title Grade(not set)
Set Series ID(not set)
Title Instrument Category TextSerious Opera
Title Sub Category Text(not set)
Title Sub Category55
Title Instrument Header38
Title Grade Text(not set)
Clean Urlcecilia-valdes-cuban-zarzuela-in-two-acts-ebm0690012