Columbian Secrets: Cristóbal Colón by Leonardo Balada and Antonio Gala

Abstract

The play Cristóbal Colón premiered in 1989 at the Teatro del Liceu. Composed by the musician Leonardo Balada and the playwright Antonio Gala, this opera was commissioned by the Sociedad Estatal Quinto Centenario as part of the festivities organized by the Spanish government to commemorate the Discovery of America. Unlike the so-called "des-celebración del 92", Cristóbal Colón champions the figure of the discoverer and emphasizes the participation of Spain through the praised role of Martín Alonso Pinzón. However, the opera was cut at the last minute. This article asserts that such alteration may have been the result of political censorship attempting to counteract the criticism of the Discovery of America contained in the original version.

Keywords

• Leonardo Balada
• Antonio Gala
• Opera, Christopher Columbus
• 500th Anniversary
• Censorship
• Spain
• 20th Century