First seen in Naples in 1827, this farce of a “theatre within a theatre” narrates the mishaps of a second-rate opera company as it stages the great serious drama Romolo ed Ersilia in a provincial theatre. The unbearable tensions between the two lead singers are finally resolved with the decisive intervention of one of their mothers. The co-production by Ópera de Lyon along with the Grand Theâtre de Genève and Teatro Real is brought to life by Laurent Pelly, a tireless champion of Donizetti's comedies.

Considered the greatest musical success of Pablo Luna's career, this operetta was released at the end of 1923 in El Teatro de la Zarzuela. Many consider it the best of his compositions, bolstered by an inspired and amusing libretto. After its premiere, it went on to be produced in Cuba, Mexico and continued its life cycle on stage until the 1950s.

Opera in three acts. Broadcast live from El Teatro de la Zarzuela on November 18, 2018.