The Basque National Orchestra to start off the 25/26 Season by participating in ‘Amaya’ by Guridi at the Musical Fortnight

The Basque National Orchestra kicks off its traditional participation in the San Sebastian Musical Fortnight on 9 August (20:00) at the Kursaal with Jesús Guridi's Amaya, one of the major works by this prolific composer from Vitoria, which has never before been performed in the Fortnight. This historical style opera, sung in Basque, and with music with Wagnerian overtones, was composed by Guridi at the height of his musical creativity. The concert version of this opera will be conducted by Diego Martin-Etxebarria and, in addition to the Basque National Orchestra and the Easo Coir (with Gorka Miranda at the helm), it will feature a broad cast of voices: Arantza Ezenarro (Amaya), Gillen Munguía (Teodosio), Marifé Nogales (Amagoya), Lucía Gómez (Plácida / Olalla), Juan Laborería (Asier / Ermitaño / Caballero) and José Manuel Díaz (Miguel / Messenger).

The other event in which the Basque National Orchestra will be taking part, again together with the Easo Choir, is Leonard Bernstein's West Side Story, on 20 August (20:00) at the Kursaal. Bernstein wrote of this work that it "must tread the fine line between opera and Broadway". And so it has been; both musical and opera theatres programme this work because it is one of the most popular and well-written of the 20th century's lyrical works. Again in concert version, this work will be directed by Clark Rundell, and the voices will be those of Miren Urbieta-Vega (María), Caspar Singh (Tony), Henry Neill (Riff), Nerea Berraondo (Anita) and Jorge Ruvalcaba (Bernardo).

Recordings

In addition, during the month of August, the Basque National Orchestra will make several recordings. At the beginning of the month, Miramon already hosted the recording of Christmas carols in Basque, a joint project with EITB, and the orchestra will then end the month with a recording of Pascual Aldave's masterpiece, Akelarre.

The Basque National Symphonic Season as of 29th September

The Basque National Orchestra’s Symphonic Season will begin on 29 September celebrating the 150th anniversary of Ravel's birth, with his symphonic-choral masterpiece Daphnis et Chloé. It will do so under the baton of Stefan Blunier and Landarbaso Abesbatza. In addition, soprano Miren Urbieta-Vega will be performing Berlioz's Herminie with the orchestra. Season tickets, which include attendance at 10 concerts, have been on sale since last 1st July, and tickets for all the concerts during the Season will be on sale from 1st September.

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