Spanish (Basque) composer Pablo Sorozabal (1897-1988) was something of a child prodigy on piano and violin, earning his living in cinemas, cafes and fairgrounds. Leading librettists Romero and Shaw, working with Sorozabal for the first time in a full length zarzuela, provided a well-constructed 'nautical romance' in three acts, set in his beloved Basque country and rich in seedy characters, strong situations and spectacular stage effects. La tabernera del puerto is the most operatic in scope of Sorozabal's zarzuelas, and remains the most popular. The romanza No puede ser is sung by Leandro in the second act.
