La vida breve is the first great work by Manuel de Falla, not only on account of the brilliance of his achievement, but also because in this score the powerful musical personality of the composer shines through. It introduces an orchestral scope that was previously unheard of in Hispanic musical theatre; there are direct references to folklore; there is the very remarkable role of the choir, and the incredible ability to evoke the magic of the Albaicín in Granada. The idea of the story came to Falla when he read, in the periodical Blanco y Negro, a short poem of clear social content, written by Carlos Fernández-Shaw, which would become the heart of the libretto. ‘I am filled with emotion at the prospect of releasing this disc, because for all Spanish conductors Manuel de Falla’s La vida breve is the highpoint of Spanish opera and a fundamental work in our repertoire.’ - Juanjo Mena

REVIEW:

Mena prises open textures and sonorities with great subtlety and attention to detail, so that we’re fully able to appreciate the shifting colors of Falla’s writing. The playing immaculately blends clarity with sensuousness, while the Coro de la Radio e Television Espanola sing with admirable warmth of tone. Nancy Fabiola Herrera sounds sumptuous as Salud with her warm tone and full upper registers.

– Gramophone