The roots of Spanish Zarzuela: The Jácaras and the raise of the Stage Tonadilla (Tonadilla escénica).

The tonadilla is a traditional Spanish song developed from jácaras during the Spanish Golden Age (Siglo de Oro). The Golden Age was a period of flourishing in arts and literature in Spain, coinciding with the political rise and decline of the Spanish Habsburg dynasty, and encompassing from 1492 to 1659. 

Jácaras were Spanish songs of Arab origin, which were accompanied by instruments and were performed during the break of a theatrical performance. The words of a secular jácara are often about a prankster and his adventures and frequently use vulgar language. Dramatists Calderón de la Barca, Francisco de Quevedo cultivated the genre.

Tonadillas continued to be successfully represented during  the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries in the breaks of the plays. The name ‘género chico’ comes from that fact. They were also an accompaniment to many types of dance.

In this video you can watch a jácara entitled Al arma, al arma valientes, for 8 voices, by Juan de Araújo. It is dedicated to Saint.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSHLG0OsXlA

During the second half of the eighteenth century tonadillas came into fashion.  Tonadilla was a Spanish musical song form, not danced. The genre was a type of satirical musical comedy, very popular during the XVIII century, that as time went on became a mini opera (10 to 20 minutes).

Its themes were palatine, judgmental, loving and customs. It drew its personages from everyday life and included popular and folk music.

 The music was very important, alternating sung and recited texts. The number of characters between one and six. The composer used folk themes inspired many times by Andalusian lifestyle. The tonadilla is characterized by  being more "Spanish" in contrast to other musical expressions that were far more foreign influence, its duration was approximately 20 minutes.

  
 Original libretto cover of Las jardineras, por Luis de Misón.    

 Composers

The first represented tonadilla we keep record of was the Spanish musician, born in Mataró in 1727, Luis de Misón, his debut in this genre, was in 1757 with the work entitled A waitress and a drover ( Una mesonera y un arriero).

Another composer who addressed this genre was Manuel Garcia, also held in his role as interpreter.

An example of Late Barroque Tonadilla, by Manuel García.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYzGrBvn87Y  

By 1820 the tonadilla disappears as theatrical and lyrical genre and is replaced by the Italian opera that comes to monopolize the theater for about half a century. But the tonadilla as a song or couplet, resists greatly favored by the Court.