15 STORIES, 16 NEW SONGS, AND PLENTY OF PERUVIAN MUSIC! The famous writer Ricardo Palma returns to the stage in October – as the protagonist of a new musical. "Palmo a Palma: Tradiciones a la criolla" premieres in Lima, transforming his historical tales into specially composed songs.
OLD STORIES BECOME NEW HITS!
Ricardo Palma is one of Peru's most well-known writers. In his Tradiciones Peruanas, he blended historical events, handed-down anecdotes, and Peruvian customs with humor and narrative freedom. His stories guide readers through the country's various eras. You can find more about the historical background on our page about the history of Peru.
Now his work is getting a new sound. Composer Carlos Fuller has taken 15 tales and developed 16 musical pieces from them. Instead of bringing the stories to the stage word-for-word, he captures their characters, moods, and conflicts and translates them into music.
FROM MARINERA TO TONDERO: THIS IS PERU!
The musical relies on a wide spectrum of traditional Peruvian music. The repertoire includes, among others, vals criollo, festejo, landó, zamacueca, tondero, and marinera limeña. Polka peruana and other musical styles are also represented.
These musical styles belong to the diverse culture of Peru, where indigenous, European, and African influences combine. The tondero, in particular, is closely associated with the north of the country. Anyone interested in the region can find further information on Piura and its culture.
Santiago “Coco” Linares is responsible for the musical arrangements. Together with Fuller, he has tailored the different rhythms to the stories, giving each selected tale its own musical interpretation.
RICARDO PALMA MEETS HIS GRANDDAUGHTER!
The stage plot focuses on an encounter between Ricardo Palma and his granddaughter, Clemencia. Together, they lead the audience through the stories that serve as the basis for the new songs.
Paco Varela takes on the role of the writer, while Pau Simons plays his granddaughter. Vocals are provided by Taís Egúsquiza, Rodrigo Terry, and Santiago Srebo, with Gianella Tellez supporting the ensemble.
PREMIERE IN LIMA: 16 SHOWS IN OCTOBER!
A total of 16 performances are scheduled from October 2 to October 26, 2026. The venue is the Sala Julio Ramón Ribeyro at the Centro Cultural Ricardo Palma, Avenida José Larco 770, in the Miraflores district. Performances take place from Friday to Monday. The musical consists of two acts and lasts about one hour and 50 minutes. Tickets are available via Joinnus; current prices and times should be checked there.
The cultural center is located in the Miraflores district. Anyone wishing to combine a visit with a trip can find information on accommodations in Peru on PeruMagazin.
YOUNG ARTISTS ARE ON BOARD TOO!
The musical is ideologically supported by the Peruvian Ministry of Culture. The Toulouse Lautrec design and art school is also participating, with students from several disciplines contributing to the production and gaining practical experience.
The project thus combines 19th-century literary stories, traditional Peruvian music, and a contemporary theater production. In October, the 16 new songs will be heard on stage in Lima for the first time.
Diario Oficial El Peruano, September 17, 2026 – Crean espectáculo de música criolla inspirado en las Tradiciones Peruanas
Agencia Andina, September 18, 2026 – Palmo a Palma: el universo de Ricardo Palma se convierte en música y llega al teatro
Perú21, September 22, 2026 – Adaptan las Tradiciones Peruanas a un musical criollo
Image source: Ricardo Palma, historical photograph from 1906 from "Mis últimas tradiciones peruanas y Cachivachería", Wikimedia Commons, public domain (Public Domain Mark 1.0). Externally embedded original file, 2,006 × 1,365 pixels, 276 KB; hero image cropped to 16:9.
