As cigarreiras

As cigarreiras is a music, dance, and theater performance about the Fábrica de Tabacos de A Coruña and its female workers. In the mid-19th century, the factory was key to the city’s economy and the setting for some of the first trade union struggles led by women in Europe. The female tobacco workers’ revolt on December 7, 1857, pitted them against management, and the show presents them as pioneers of collective bargaining.

It is produced by Concello da Coruña and Cántigas da Terra, which takes to the stage with all its sections: choir, bagpipe and percussion group, dance troupe, and theater cast. They are accompanied by the Banda Municipal da Coruña and a cast of professional actors. The music comes from A Coruña and its surroundings and is preserved in the archives of both entities and other local collections.

Structure in three acts:

• First act: work in the factory and the choral mass of the female tobacco workers.
• Second act: the revolt breaks out and the workers sing the Foliada da Cruña as an anthem.
• Third act: the defense of decent working conditions, with the city’s own musical repertoire.

Artistic team: Juan Miguel Romero Llopis directs the Banda Municipal. Luís Bolón is responsible for the artistic direction, composition, and arrangements. The original text is by Carlos Ares and the monologue by Isabel Risco, by Paula Carballeira. On stage are, among others, Isabel Risco, Victoria Pérez, Manuel Fernández, Jose Losada, and Alberte Bello. The Santaia Dance Group collaborates.

The performance is on Thursday, November 19 at 20:00 at the Palacio de la Ópera. Tickets are sold on the website of the Palacio.