Fans of real Spanish culture have the chance to enjoy a traditional form of musical theatre when El Barbero de Sevilla arrives at Teatro del Carmen in Velez-Malaga on Saturday, October 17.

The production by Teatro Lírico Andaluz begins at 8pm, offering an evening of comedy, singing and theatrical misunderstandings in a distinctly Spanish style.

A comedy of love and deception

Despite sharing its name with Gioachino Rossini’s famous opera, this is a different work, written in the Spanish zarzuela tradition. The story follows Elena, a young woman who wants to pursue a singing career despite her father’s objections.

Her boyfriend, Ricardo, has also been less than truthful about his profession, claiming to be an agricultural engineer rather than a singer. When Elena’s father travels away from Madrid, her singing teacher sees an opportunity to help her take the stage.

Elena is preparing to perform the role of Rosina in Rossini’s The Barber of Seville, setting the scene for romantic complications, family disagreements and comic confusion.

Discover the zarzuela tradition

Zarzuela combines spoken dialogue with singing and orchestral music. Often compared with operetta, it has been an important part of Spanish theatrical life for centuries, with stories ranging from light-hearted comedy to more dramatic social themes.

The zarzuela El Barbero de Sevilla first premiered in Madrid in 1901, with music by Manuel Nieto and Gerónimo Giménez and a libretto by Guillermo Perrín and Miguel de Palacios. The Society of Authors and Publishers’ historical archive records the original work and its premiere.

The production offers an opportunity for residents and visitors to discover a theatrical tradition that may be less familiar to international audiences than conventional opera.

Tickets and venue

The performance takes place at Teatro del Carmen, Calle Pancho López, in Velez-Malaga, on Saturday, October 17, at 8pm.

Tickets are advertised at €15 in advance and €17 at the box office. Advance tickets are available through Librería Yerma, which can be contacted on 952 50 10 15. Availability should be checked before attending.

For anyone looking for a cultural evening in the Axarquia, the production offers a chance to experience Spanish musical theatre, with humour, romance and a story built around the colourful world of opera. See also our coverage of Velez-Malaga’s Noche en Vela street theatre, concerts and dance.

International visitors are discovering a different side of the Costa del Sol, travelling inland from Nerja and Torrox to explore the white villages, mountain scenery and traditions of Axarquia. And for investors in tourism-based business, this could be a game-changer.

Known as “slow tourism”, this approach focuses on experiencing a destination at a relaxed pace, meeting local people and learning about their customs rather than concentrating on beaches and the usual tourist attractions.

According to Oletrips, a company organising small-group excursions around the Axarquia and other parts of Andalucia, most of its customers come from abroad. British, Swedish, Irish, Canadian, German, Swiss and American visitors feature among its most frequent nationalities. The company says its typical customer is over 50 and has a particular interest in local culture, gastronomy, history and traditional ways of life.

Four white villages away from the coast

One of the excursions takes visitors to Archez, Canillas de Albaida, Salares and Sayalonga, four small municipalities where mountain landscapes and historic buildings offer a different perspective on Malaga province. The routes also explore the area’s Moorish heritage, helping visitors discover a history that can be overlooked during a conventional coastal holiday.

Activities go deeper than just sightseeing. Visitors can spend time with a goat herder, learn how beekeepers work or try making traditional village bread and roscos de vino, a sweet wine biscuit popular in Andalucia. These experiences give travellers an opportunity to learn about rural life directly from the people who continue to practise these traditions.

Autumn and winter bring visitors inland

Although the Malaga Province is strongly associated with summer holidays, Oletrips says autumn and winter are its busiest seasons for “slow tourism” excursions.

Many customers are foreigners who spend longer periods on the Costa del Sol, enjoying the milder climate outside the main summer season. Others stay in Nerja, Torrox and neighbouring resorts before taking trips into the countryside.

Some North American visitors travelling around Spain for several weeks also seek quieter destinations after visiting larger cities such as Madrid, Seville and Malaga. For the Axarquia’s smaller communities, this type of tourism offers another way to introduce visitors to the region beyond the coast, while bringing attention