Zarzuela (pronounced zaarz.weh.luh) is a Spanish-language form of opera, alternating musical numbers with spoken dialogue. It flourished in various patterns for over three centuries from the 1650s to the 1950s, and covers a huge range of styles, from spectacular operatic tragedy, through operetta to broad comedy. Over ten thousand zarzuelas have been written in Spain, incorporating folk and urban dance rhythms, simple songs, operatic arias, passionate love duets and grand choruses, written by composers and librettists of high quality. It takes its name from a royal hunting lodge outside Madrid, the Zarzuela Palace, where these entertainments were originally performed, and is Spain's greatest contribution to music theatre around the world. 

Zarzuela delivers a universal message, showing its audiences the human drama – from its most comic moments to its most tragic stories – all through the beauty of music and dances of 19th and mid 20th century Spain.