La Llama

The Basque National Orchestra presents the album containing the live recording of the re-release in concert version of the opera “La Llama” by José María Usandizaga. This double album, published by Deutsche Grammophon, represents the culmination of the Basque National Orchestra’s contribution to the "Euskadi al Año Usandizaga" initiative commemorating the centenary of the death of the composer from San Sebastian.

This recording encompasses the result of an ambitious project, including important editing work on the score and subsequent re-release of the opera in concert version. Conducted by Juan José Ocón, the initiative enjoyed the involvement of a great many people and institutions: recovery of the score was tackled by Juan José Ocón himself, with the collaboration of Ana Huarte, and the libretto was revised by the music critic Manuel Cabrera; during the process they were also helped by Eresbil, the Basque Music Archive. In the re-release, the soloist team included Sabina Puértolas (soprano), Mikeldi Atxalandabaso (tenor), Damián del Castillo (baritone), Miren Urbieta Vega (narrator), Elena Barbé (soprano), Fernando Latorre (bass-baritone), Maite Maruri (mezzo-soprano) and Xabier Anduaga (tenor); the choral parts were provided by the Coral Andra Mari.

Throughout the initiative, the collaboration of the San Sebastian City Council and of the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa was indispensable.

Sabina Puértolas, Mikeldi Atxalandabaso, Damián del Castillo, Miren Urbieta Vega, Elena Barbé, Fernando Latorre, Maite Maruri, Xabier Anduaga, Andra Mari Abesbatza
Basque National Orchestra
Juan José Ocón, conductor