Audiblean Amazon company and global distributor of quality digital audio entertainment content, has released the new audiobook multivoice with sound design, ‘Barren’ by Federico García Lorca. Audible celebrates the month of Federico García Lorca, since it is the author’s birthday and it is also the 90th anniversary of Yerma, which was premiered in Madrid in 1934. Now, the leading audio entertainment service, presents an audio adaptation that tells the story of Yerma today and the complete work from 1934, both united by the themes of the motherhood, desire and femininity.
“Yerma” by Federico García Lorca
If we go back to Yerma from 1934, the work is considered a tragic poem and tells the story of a childless woman living in rural Spain, Yerma. Her desperate desire to be his mother turns into an obsession that ultimately leads her to commit a horrible crime.
Now Audible has produced Lorca’s work, ‘Barren’, with a plot divided into two periods: 1934, just before the Spanish Civil War, and the present. Thus, the current Yerma portrays an actress who has to present this mythical work by Lorca in the theater. It is a game of mirrors between the two women and a play that amplifies and offers different perspectives of Lorca’s work from 1934 to contemporary times.
From the perspective of the modern women of Lorca’s work, ‘Barren’ exposes the social and personal similarities and differences between women of the early 20th century and those of today. Audible has fully respected Lorca’s original workreading the original texts and proposing a vision of the current Yerma through the needs, rights and aspirations of women of the 21st century. In this sense, the work generates a debate: Has society changed as much as we think? Is there still room for other types of lives, motherhood,…?
La Yerma del S.XXI is clear that she does not have to submit to the social pressure of having to be a mother to be a “complete” woman, but there is an internal struggle and a need for constant internal reinforcement while reading the original script. . Although there is a clear evolution throughout these years, it has not evolved as much as we think, which is why Lorca must be reviewed, as it is still current.
According to him ‘Youth and Gender Barometer 2023’, six out of ten young people considers that the Feminism must involve men and women and almost the 50% assure that it is key to achieving equality. In relation to new ways of life or motherhood, it is undoubtedly a continuous debate present today, still judged by society in many ways.
Lorca was undoubtedly an example when it came to portraying the real situation of many women without a voice and demonstrated how to listen to and understand them, showing that social pressure leads to situations of emotional instability as occurs in the ending of Yerma.
Original fusion and innovation, now available on Audible
‘Barren’ is directed by Pilar Távora, director, producer and screenwriter of film, theater and television. Andalusian and of gypsy ethnicity, Távora has already been linked to the work of Federico García Lorca since she directed the film ‘Yerma’ in 1998. The artistic director of ‘Barren’ is Emilio Mercader, music producer, and one of the creators of this renewed work.
In relation to the casting of ‘Barren’ has featured the voices of Paula Iwasaki and Jose Manuel Seda and with singers like Demarco Flamenco and Shakira Martínez, who have given voice to the musical works of the title. In addition, part of the original music has been created with the collaboration of the choirs of the Alalah Foundationa center that operates in Seville and Jerez and supports social integration through the education of boys, girls and young people, promoting training in values and using culture, art and sport as a motivation tool.
For the first time in history, you will be able to listen to scores written by Lorca himself. These are four original scores written for Lorca’s original Yerma. Furthermore, these four musical works have been reinterpreted based on the most current neoflamenco as they would be produced today and as a reflection of contemporary Yerma.
‘Yerma’ is now available exclusively on Audible and is part of the catalog with more than 100,000 audiobooks and podcasts originals, with all types of genres and formats, which can be listened to unlimitedly for a subscription of only 9.99 euros per month. Audible offers a 30-day free trial for new users and a 3-month free trial for Amazon Prime members, with the ability to cancel at any time.
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