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About Lorca’s Rural Trilogy

Three of Federico García Lorca's best-known plays, as heard on BBC Radio 3 Poet and playwright Federico García Lorca is one of the most famous figures in 20th-century Spanish literature. A member of the 'Generation of '27' avant-garde movement that included Dalí and Buñuel, he became well known for his lyrical, symbolic works mixing modernism and the folkloric traditions of his native Andalusia. He was executed by Nationalist forces at the start of the Spanish Civil War, aged only 38. Over 80 years later, his poetry is revered worldwide, and the plays in his 'Rural Trilogy' are widely regarded as masterpieces. Blood Wedding - Based on the true story of a tragic feud between two families in rural Almeria, Lorca's atmospheric meditation on fate, war, tradition, passion and repression is adapted for radio by former Poet Laureate Ted Hughes. The winner of the 2008 Sony Award for Best Drama, it stars Barbara Flynn, Carl Prekopp, Sarah Smart and Andrea Riseborough. Yerma - Infused with poetic imagery and song, this evocative drama tells the tragic tale of a woman's desperate desire for a child. Her maternal yearnings escalate to the point of obsession, ultimately driving her to commit a terrible crime... Emma Cuniffe stars as Yerma, with a full cast including Conrad Nelson, Declan Wilson, Rebecca Callard and Annette Badland. The House of Bernarda Alba - Written in 1936 and completed just a few months before his assassination, Lorca's final play explores the familial passions and tensions that arise following the death of Bernarda Alba's second husband. After the funeral, the tyrannical matriarch imposes an eight-year period of mourning on her daughters - but the ensuing power struggle will have tragic consequences. Starring Siân Thomas, Brigit Forsyth and Elaine Cassidy. First published 1932 (Blood Wedding), 1934 (Yerma), 1936 (The House of Bernarda Alba) Cast and credits Written by Federico Garcia Lorca Produced and directed by Pauline Harris Blood Wedding Mother of Bridegroom - Barbara Flynn Bridegroom/Woodcutter - Carl Prekopp Bride - Sarah Smart Leonardo - William Ash Leonardo's Wife/Girl - Andrea Riseborough Father of Bride - David Fleeshman Beggar Woman/Neighbour - Mary Cunningham Servant/Mother-in-Law - Ellie Haddington Moon - Claire Benedict Girl - Liz Carter Woodcutters - Sam Curtis & Chris Hannon Little Girl - Daisy Jones Adapted by Ted Hughes Music composed by Matthew Wood First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 25 November 2007 Yerma Yerma - Emma Cunniffe Juan - Conrad Nelson Victor - Declan Wilson Maria - Rebecca Callard Pagan Old Woman - Annette Badland Dolores - Claire Benedict Dolores' Neighbour - Kate Layden Washerwomen - Deborah McAndrew & Fionnuala Dorrity Washerwoman/Girl 1 - Liz Carter Washerwoman/Female at the Pilgrimage - Helen Longworth Male at the Pilgrimage - Kevin Harvey Spanish Voice - Anna Castineiras Translation by Michael Dewell and Carmen Zapata Music composed by Tayo Akinbode Musicians: Tayo Akinbode, Richard Arthurs and Chris Cruiks Singers: Members of the cast and Leslie Pratt First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 26 Sep 2010 The House of Bernarda Alba Bernarda Alba - Sian Thomas La Poncia - Brigit Forsyth Maria Josefa - Pauline Jefferson Angustias - Kate Coogan Magdalena - Victoria Brazier Martirio - Christine Bottomley Adela - Elaine Cassidy Prudencia - Christine Cox Girl - Daisy Jones Adapted by Pauline Harris Translation by Michael Dewell and Carmen Zapata Musical direction and original music composition by Conrad Nelson Male chorus singers: Les Pratt, Martin Medina, Nathan Jenkins, Andrew Johnston, David Cane, Peter Edge and George Leeming First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 2 March 2014 © 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (p) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd