Cristina del Olmo
Music tourism and the great musicals
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Cristina del Olmo
Music tourism and the great musicals
Malinche, Nacho Cano's musical, conquers its third season in Madrid
Music tourism has established itself as one of the most attractive forms of travel, combining the pleasure of cultural discovery with the magic of live shows. This phenomenon not only attracts music and theater lovers, but also those looking for unique and memorable experiences. In major cities, musicals have taken a leading role, becoming authentic tourist attractions. Madrid, with its vibrant cultural offerings, has positioned itself as one of the most outstanding European destinations in this field.
Malinche, created by renowned Spanish artist Nacho Cano, is not just a musical; it is an immersive experience that transcends the stage. This show, which is performed at IFEMA Madrid (Av. del Partenón, 5, Barajas, 28042 Madrid) narrates the life of Malinche, a key figure in the history of Mexico and the arrival of the Spanish, representing the meeting of two worlds through music and performance art. With a spectacular staging, including vibrant choreography, live music and an emotional narrative, Malinche seeks not only to entertain, but also to educate and generate reflection on the cultural identity and shared history between Spain and Latin America.
For tourists visiting Madrid, attending a musical like Malinche is much more than a leisure activity. It is an opportunity to immerse themselves in the cultural and artistic richness of the city, experience deep emotions and take away a unique souvenir of their stay. The boom in musical tourism, driven by productions like this one, reaffirms Madrid as a cultural epicenter of international scope.
Malinche, the musical by Nacho Cano, conquers its third season in Madrid.
With the phrase “Yo te bautizo en el amor de los cristianos” begins one of the main songs of MALINCHE, the musical created by Nacho Cano, which has conquered its third season in Madrid. More than 600,000 spectators have already enjoyed its message and its spectacular staging. The whole musical is a hymn to life, to friendship, to the encounter between peoples, to miscegenation, to how Christianity changed the vision of the world and how through baptism men and women could be free. More than 800 successful performances in the theater tent at IFEMA. A place with a unique experience in the “Templo canalla” for dinner or a drink before or after the play.
The musical 'Malinche' is a great love song. Of love between an indigenous woman, Malinche, and a Spaniard, Hernán Cortés. And from them was born the first mestizo son: Martin. “The whole play leads us to value diversity, friendship and the encounter with others,” says the author, Nacho Cano, convinced that this society should follow these paths and not those of confrontation.
From slaves to free men
In the script, Cano naturally presents Jesus Christ as “my Lord” and explains how one is reborn through baptism, and how the Hispanic world would not be what it is today if the Spaniards had not brought Christianity to those lands on the other side of the world. And all this from the artist's conviction that, with its mistakes, the Church turned slaves into free men: through baptism it gave them an identity card and a religion based on love.
For Nacho Cano, baptism was the starting point not only for the spread of Christianity, but also for human rights for the indigenous peoples. “It was like giving them an ID card and their passage from slavery to a life with rights”.
He tells all this in the musical, in which he speaks of faith, of the Church, of the religious who came to America, to Mexico, with a new message. Malinche' materialized her conversion along with twenty other slaves, in what was considered the first massive baptism of women in America. This baptism is represented in 'Malinche', on one of the largest stages in Europe, in a scene in which Malinche is immersed in a pool of water, inside the stage, which has an imposing scenography. “For me she is the woman with the greatest impact on the construction of America. She is a symbol of the encounter, not only for giving birth to Martin. Let's not forget that she was one of the great precursors of Christianity. For her, being baptized became a sign of freedom,” explains Nacho Cano.
The message of the Gospel, on stage
In addition, the artist does not hesitate to state one of the morals of the script that, without making a spoiler, is discovered at the end of the show, just before the final ovation: “Jesus dies on the cross to save the whole world”. And, for the artist, the whole work is a way to transfer the key messages of the Gospel on stage.
Nacho Cano wanted to give the song “El bautismo” to Pope Francis in an audience at the Vatican on May 24, 2023. “Baptism marks a before and after in terms of how people were treated,” explains the artist and creator of the musical Nacho Cano.
Now, on March 28, 2025, he will premiere this work in Mexico City, as a celebration of the mix between the two cultures, between Spain and Mexico. With a fusion of urban music, flamenco, hip-hop and the unique compositions of its creator, it takes us to enjoy a staging full of beauty.
Author: Cristina del Olmo
Journalist
The authors are responsible for the choice and presentation of the facts contained in this document and for the opinions expressed therein, which are not necessarily those of Tourism and Society Think Tank and do not commit the Organization, and should not be attributed to TSTT or its members.
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