The orchestra closes the 2009/2010 season with the performance of the “Mirentxu” zarzuela at the Arriaga Theatre in Bilbao

The Orchestra will end the 2009/2010 season with the interpretation of the Basque lyrical idyll, Mirentxu, by Jesús Guridi, in a new version which comes to the Arriaga Theatre coinciding with the commemoration of its centenary premiere. The performance of this new production will take place on June 19, 22, 24 and 26.

With musical direction by maestro David Giménez Carreras, "Mirentxu", which will be presented in Basque, is a production by the Arriaga Theatre in coproduction with the Basque Symphony Orchestra. The wardrobe is the work of the designer from Bilbao, Míriam Ocárizm, and Eduardo Bravo is responsible for the illumination of this new production, with the participation of the Bilbao Choral Society, the choir of this entity's Conservatory and the professor of the repertoire, Alejandro Zabala.

With music by Jesús Guridi and libretto by Alfredo de Etxabe, "Mirentxu" is a jewel of the Basque lyrical theatre which premiered on May 31st 1910 at the Campos Elíseos Theatre in Bilbao. This production is based on the libretto of 1947 by Jesús María de Arozamena and Alfredo de Etxabe, in the critical edition by Ramon Lazkano.

The great soprano, María Bayo, in the lead role, stars in this zarzuela with the intervention of soloists Marifé Nogales, Andeka Gorrotxategi, Christopher Robertson, Fernando Latorre and Axier Sánchez. All of them, except Axier Sánchez, have acted with the Basque Symphony Orchestra on several occasions.

María Bayo, who leads the cast, has collaborated with the Orchestra in several editions of the San Sebastián Musical Fortnight, in addition to the Bilbao Friends of the Opera Association (ABAO) season. In addition, in 1999 she intervened in the recording of the third volume of the Basque Composers Collection edited by Claves, dedicated to Jesús Arámbarri. The past month of December, María Bayo was acknowledged when she was presented with the National Music Award 2009 in the mode of Interpretation and Composition, awarded by the Ministry of Culture. This soprano, capable of singing and acting out roles in very diverse operas, will play the young Mirentxu.

Basque Lyrical Theatre. The golden age of Basque lyrical theatre began with "Mirentxu" (Basque lyrical idyll in 2 acts), whose greatest representative was the composer from Vitoria, Jesús de Guridi (Vitoria, 1886 - Madrid, 1961), who continued to cultivate this genre in later zarzuelas like "Amaya" or "El Caserío". It is stated that "Mirentxu" was for Guridi, his best work; he said of it: "done with no trickery when I was 22, I tried to give it a great Basque atmosphere". The melodic and rhythmic varieties are other aspects which many have praised in this pure Basque zarzuela.

Alfredo de Etxabe is the author of this zarzuela's libretto, which, originally, sets Manu and Mirentxu, his daughter, in Errotatxiki, in a mill beside the ruins of an ancient Basque forge. Raimundo also lives with them, the miller's nephew. Mirentxu's love for her cousin Raimundo will be overshadowed by the love which develops between Raimundo and Prexen, Mirentxu's best friend. A dangerous love triangle which ends with the sweet death of Mirentxu. This is the original plot of a zarzuela which will be presented to the audience under the renewed perspective of the modern stage direction of Emilio Sagi and the set design of Daniel Bianco.

In this new version the mill and forge give way to a set design in which green and gold tones prevail; a new version which maintains the best of Guridi's music and the drama of this lyrical idyll and renews it for the stage with an outstanding artistic team. The wardrobe by Miriam Ocariz gives another modern touch to this version of "Mirentxu", which counts with the illumination of Eduardo Bravo.

Discount. Orchestra subscribers will benefit from a 25% discount on the ticket price for this show.