Last Friday, Pablo Luna's Benamor brought Mediterranean joie de vivre, great melodies and fiery dances to the Theater an der Wien.

Christof Loy, who has shaped the Theater an der Wien for many years like no other director, brings this comic masterpiece of Spanish musical theatre to Vienna for the first time. He brings together a team of experienced zarzuela performers on stage, including the two up-and-coming opera stars Marina Monzó in the title role and countertenor Federico Fiorio as Darío. Traditional dance rhythms such as seguidilla, jota and paso doble characterise the soundscape, complemented by fashionable dances of the 1920s. The question of gender identity is explored in a manner that is as critical as it is entertaining. José Miguel Pérez-Sierra brings Spanish spirit to the podium of the ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra.

The audience thanked everyone involved with long applause.

"The cheeky zarzuela at the Theater an der Wien offers entertainment, camp and good music. The performers are magnificent." Die Presse

"Oriental eye candy with a queer twist." Der Standard

"A ludicrous parable about clichés of all kinds. A successful cultural transfer." Kleine Zeitung

Benamor can be seen until 7 February.