09/01/2026
Houghton's precious manuscript of a Spanish Baroque "zarzuela" based on the myth of Andromeda and Perseus is being brought to the stage for the first time since its 1653 première at Madrid’s Coliseo del Buen Retiro. Created to celebrate the recovery of the young Queen Mariana of Austria from an illness, the fabulous production featured magic tricks, special lighting effects, flying chariots, and a fearsome sea monster that threatens Andromeda before being vanquished by Perseus. "Androméda y Perseo" is believed to have engaged three of Spain's theatrical luminaries: the playwright Calderón de la Barca, scenographer Baccio del Bianco, and the composer Juan Hidalgo.
Long recognized by scholars as a signature creation of the Spanish Baroque, Houghton's manuscript is the most important surviving document of the original production, especially renowned for its detailed illustrations of the stage sets and costumes and the appendix with all of the music. MS Typ 258 is believed to have been a special presentation copy made by Philip IV of Spain and sent to his father-in-law, Ferdinand III, in Vienna.
The modern revival scales down the original, which included a cast of over thirty characters and lasted four hours. It is being co-produced by the Fundación Juan March, Teatro de la Zarzuela, and La Compañía Nacional de Teatro Clásico. For those lucky enough to be in Madrid this fall, two runs are planned:
September 30–October 10, Fundación Juan March: https://www.march.es/es/madrid/concierto/andromeda-perseo
December 4–13, Teatro Clásico:
https://teatroclasico.inaem.gob.es/2026/05/21/andromeda-y-perseo/
—Kate van Orden, Dwight P. Robinson Professor of Music
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Pedro Calderón de la Barca (1600–1681). Andrómeda y Perseo: fábula representada en el Coliseo del Real Palacio de Buen Retiro [...]: manuscript, around 1653. MS Typ 258. Bequest of Philip Hofer, 1984.
