Sorozabal’s legendary opera “Juan José” to be performed and recorded
(21st February 2009, Donostia-San Sebastián
23rd February 2009, Madrid)

At the press conference announcing the world premiere of Pablo Sorozábal’s opera “Juan José” were (from left) the Minister of Education, Universities and Research for the Basque Country, Tontxu Campos; the General Co-ordinator of Musikene, Juan José Pujana; the composer’s grandson, Pablo Sorozábal; and the conductor José Luis Estellés, Director of Musikene.

Estellés will conduct two concert performances of this much discussed work, a “popular lyric drama” based on Joaquín Dicenta’s 1895 ground-breaking social tragedy. Leading director Ignacio García will introduce elements of staging into the performances. Sorozábal lavished much attention on the score during the 1960’s, only to have it withdrawn from rehearsal at the Teatro de la Zarzuela in 1979 under controversial circumstances. It was his last work, and – possibly because of the difficulties surrounding its performance – his favourite.

The main roles will be sung by Manuel Lanza (Juan José, baritone), Ana María Sánchez (Rosa, soprano), Maite Arruabarrena (Isidra, mezzo-soprano), Celestino Varela (Andrés, bass), Olatz Saitua (Toñuela, soprano), José Luis Sola (Paco, tenor), Simón Orfila (Cano, bass), Alberto Núñez (Perico, tenor) and Emilio Sánchez ( Tabernero and Presidario, tenor), with the Orquesta Sinfónica de Musikene.

The Press Release spoke of this project to record and premiere “Juan José” in concert, as representing “an act of historical justice towards one of the Basque Country’s greatest composers, fittingly in the year which marks the 20th anniversary of his death.”Zarzuela.net will be reviewing the 2nd (Madrid) performance of “Juan José”.

Kursaal
Avda. de Zurriola 1
San Sebastián/Donostia
(Guipúzcoa/Gipuzkoa, C.P.: 20002)
Tel: 0034 943 00 30 00

21 February 2009
Juan José (Sorozábal) - World Premiere, concert version
Orquesta Sinfónica Musikene; José Luis Estellés (c.)

Auditorio Nacional de Música
Sala Sinfónica
Príncipe de Vergara, 146
Madrid (C.P.: 28002)
Tel: 0034 91 377 01 40

23 February 2009
Juan José (Sorozábal), concert version
Orquesta Sinfónica Musikene; Jose Luis Estellés (c.)

 Juan José (poster)
 en español
 Pablo Sorozábal
  zarzuela .net front page

CW, 2 February 2009