Un ópera labourdin à Bilbao : Maitena, d'Etienne Decrept et Charles Colin

Abstract

Maitena, the Basque opera by two authors from Labourd (Etienne Decrept and Charles Colin), was created in Bilbao on 29th May 1909. Representing scenes of Basque partriarchal customs, it charmed the public with its simple musique, based on traditional melodies, its impact and the reality of its scenic presentation, and deeply engraved itself in the exhaltation of the traditional values preached by the nationalists. Its impact on upcoming Basque lyrical theatre was considerable. Leading work of the Bilbao Choral Society, it was very successful throughout the Basque Country until 1955, when it was almost completely forgotten