Compositores valencianes i teatre líric popular en el primer terç del segle XX

Abstract

Based on press and documentary analysis, this paper analyses the contributions to popular lyric theatre written by Valencian women composers during the early 20th century. Over these years, genres such as zarzuela, cuplé and revue enjoyed large audiences, and from them emerged some of the greatest musical hits of that time. Whether in Valencian or Spanish, they were mass-consumption shows that filled up the city's theatres, performed by professional, semi-professional or even amateur companies. The text addresses questions relating to the dynamics of composition of these genres written by women in interaction with the analysis of the social networks by taking the works of Dolores Soriano Raga, Elena Faus Faus, Ethelvina-Ofelia Raga Selma, Matilde Caturla Masiá and Lola Vitoria Tarruella. In addition to completing the catalogue of women composers, it is suggested that access to lyric theatre composition was
indicative of a certain professionalisation and integration into the circles of cultural production that moved some of the most successful theatrical initiatives of the time in the city. At the same time, the article is interested in understanding the conditions of professional development of women composers, and discusses some of the difficulties for further analyses.