Entertainment

''Mirentxu'', with music by Jesus Guridi and libretto by Alfredo de Etxabe and Jesus Maria de Arozamena, was presented at the Campos Eliseos Theatre, Bilbao, on 31st May 1910.

To mark its centenary, the Arriaga Theatre is staging a new production with the Basque Symphony Orchestra conducted by David Gimenez Carreras, an extraordinary group of singers led by María Bayo and, of course the same choir linked to Guridi, which promoted the debut of this ''Basque lyrical idyll'' 100 years ago, the Choral Society of Bilbao. It will be at Arriaga from June 19th to 26th.

The stage design under Emilio Sagi undoubtedly provides a fresh and renewed air, clearly showing the passage of years in this simple store of unrequited love.

Guridi was born in Vitoria in 1886 into a family that had produced musicians such as en Nicolás Ledesma and Luis Bidaola. He studied in Bilbao and Madrid as well as Paris, Liege and Cologne. He was the Dean of the Bilbao and Madrid Conservatories.

His compositions are full of Basque folk-lore, which is frequently inspired by chamber music, organ pieces, religious and choral music, works for orchestra, opera, zarzuela and also film music.