Los gavilanes, one of the best and most complete zarzuelas of the master Guerrero and, undoubtedly, one of the best known of the repertoire, reached such a degree of popularity after its opening that it was at one point being performed simultaneously at five theatres in Barcelona. Emotional, sentimental, romantic, deeply expressive, the score of Los gavilanes is replete with passages of exuberant musicality, which uplift or move the passions represented by its characters. A veritable display of melodic ease produced by a composer who knew very well the tastes of the public. To the important fragments performed by the soloists, a significant detail must be added: the constant presence of the choir which, representing the people, becomes an important character of the play.

It is 1845, in a small fishing village in the French Provence. Juan el Indiano returns from America with a great fortune. They all expect him to help improve the village with the great riches obtained. Juan falls in love with the young Rosaura, the daughter of the love of his youth, and does everything possible to conquer her, to the great indignation of Gustavo, the young girl’s fiancé, and of the rest of the village, who start calling him “el Gavilán” (the sparrowhawk), a predatory bird that tries to take what does not belong to it. Money can buy many things, but not youth or love.