Every year, in the night, two devilish creatures awake: the Carochos. Coal-black. One big. One small. They go towards the village with their fearful horned-pincers and their sooted-corks. Their connection with nature and the old rites and traditions is evident. Their connection to the village too. The church's bells ring. The sun rises and chantings of hope for a new year can be heard. The Madame and the Gallant symbolise life and future. However, this time, the music prophesies something different.
Created by Daniel Blanco Albert
Chamber opera version commissioned by LittleOpera Festival (Zamora) to be performed in collaboration with volunteers.
Reorchestrated and expanded from the original masquerade for orchestra La Obisparra.
with special thanks to:
Riofrío de Aliste,
Zamora LittleOpera Festival,
Conchi Moyano,
Isaac Macho
Duration - 55'
Première
28th, 29th August 2022
LittleOpera Festival Zamora
Instrumentation
Madame - Mezzo
Gallant - Tenor
Actors and Volunteers
Flute / Piccolo
Oboe / English horn
Trumpet in C
Piano
Violin
Viola
Cello
Conductor
Characters:
THE DEVILS:
Carocho Grande (Big devil)
Mythical satyr-like creature that protects the village. It brings good harvests and fertility. It uses a caduceus-like set of pincers for rituals.
Carocho Chiquito (Small devil)
Creature servant of the big devil. It uses a pair of soot cork sponges to paint black people's faces.
______
THE VILLAGERS:
Madama - Soprano:
Symbol of life of the village. She sings prophetically.
Gallant - Tenor:
Madama's husband. He accompanies her in her singing.
El del Tamboril:
Authority figure.
El del Cerrón and others:
People from the village.
El del Lino (linen guy):
Beggar of the village, hated by everybody. Survives bothering people. Nobody cares about this character.
______
THE STRANGERS:
Filandorro:
Leader of the "filandorros". Charming and acrobatic, roguish. His weapon is a wooden ball tied to a stick.
Filandorra:
Partner of the Filandorro. She knows about magic and old rites. She carries a wooden hammer. She has a paper costume that reveals her power.
Blind Man:
Fake old man that allows the group to enter the village. He leads the group.
Molacillo:
Soldier that accompanies the blind man.
Scenes:
ACT 1
1 - Appearance of the Carochos
The devils awake from their slumber.
________
2 - The villagers
The village celebrates Madame and Gallant's newborn.
________
3 - The Filandorros
A group of strangers tries to get permission to enter in the village.
________
4 - Blind Man's fake death and first fight
The devils try to murder the blind man. They fight against the Filandorros.
ACT 2
1 - Dance
The villagers celebrate the arrival of the Filandorros.
________
2 - The Devils cross the river. Second fight
The devils attack again.
________
3 - Sacrifice of Linen Guy
The devils sacrify Linen Guy to get empowered.
________
4 - Final fight
Filandorros and devils fight one last time.