Tragicomedy of the Andes

Once captured by Pizarro, Atahualpa, the last Inca emperor, offered to fill the room in which he was a prisoner with gold in exchange for his freedom. And although the gold arrived, he was tried and murdered, unleashing a tragedy that involved Pizarro and Almagro, partners in the conquest of Peru. This story of friendship, greed, betrayal and violence is told in Tragicomedia del ande, a new work by the Tryo Teatro Banda company.

Theatre, history, minstrelsy and music come together in this premiere that follows the exploits of Francisco Pizarro and Diego de Almagro to conquer the Inca Empire, and reflects on Chile's role in the outcome. "The capture of Atahualpa by the invaders, going from being his brother's victor to a captive of the Spanish, is incredible. And his death is one of the most shocking and controversial betrayals in history," says Francisco Sánchez, who plays Pizarro. Meanwhile, María Izquierdo plays an androgynous Atahualpa.

“The staging is greatly inspired by operatic elements, the musical is much more predominant and there are new elements for the company such as the chorus and tragedy,” says the general director, Sebastián Vila. In fact, at GAM the work will be presented with the MusicActual Ensemble within the stage space.

GAM COPRODUCTION

Research and dramaturgy Francisco Sánchez and Tryo Teatro Banda
General direction Sebastián Vila
Composition and arrangements Simón Schriever, Francisco Sánchez, Greco Acuña and Tryo Teatro Banda
Orchestration and orchestral direction Sebastián Errázuriz
CastMaría Izquierdo, Francisco Sánchez, Daniela Ropert, Ignacia Goycoolea, Alfredo Becerra, Eduardo Irrazabal, Diego Chamorro
Musician: Simón Schriever, Greco Acuña
Comprehensive design Pablo De la Fuente, Pedro Gramegna
SoundMaximiliano Cornejo
Lighting operatorÁlvaro Meléndez
Choral preparation Annie Murath
Andean musical consultancy Edwin Conde
OrchestraMusicActual Ensemble (GAM Season)
Graphic design Juan Ignacio Viveros
General ProductionCarolina González
Production and mediation Ignacia Goycoolea
Idea originalFrancisco Sánchez
Acknowledgments: Javier Bolivar, Teatro Viajeinmóvil and Peñaranda Undurraga family
Credit photo galleryPatricio Melo.

Communications: GAM

Co-production of the Teatro a Mil Foundation and the GAM Center, with financing from the National Fondart for Cultural Development and the Arts, 2018 call.

Previous seasons

This co-production premiered on GAM on May 11, 2019, with a season until June 2 of that year.