Apu Ollantay: A Drama of the Time of the Incas

An ancient Inca drama comes alive in this vivid translation, inviting listeners into the high Andes of the late 1400s. The story opens with the proud warrior Ollantay, a gifted commander who finds his heart captured by the noble lady, the daughter of the ruling Sapa Inca. Their forbidden love sets a tense stage, as Ollantay’s loyalty to his people clashes with the expectations of the royal court, and a fierce rivalry with a jealous rival begins to unfold.

Beyond the personal conflict, the play reflects the rich ceremonial traditions of the empire—song, dance, and poetic dialogue echo the reverence the Incas held for their gods and ancestors. The narrative balances tender romance with the looming pressures of duty and honor, offering a window into a world where personal desire and political power are inseparably intertwined. Listeners will experience the rhythm of a centuries‑old performance, preserved through oral memory and painstaking scholarship, and feel the echo of the Andes long after the final line.