The María Magdalena Basilica in Errenteria will host a special choral music performance this Sunday, June 14, starting at 12:00 PM. Organized by Maria Magdalenaren Lagunak, this event will feature Otxote Illumbe, a young choral group that has established itself in the Gipuzkoa choral scene in less than three years.
The concert will offer the audience a chance to enjoy a varied repertoire spanning different musical styles and traditions, from religious works to popular Basque songs and well-known habaneras, in a program designed to make choral music accessible to all audiences.
Otxote Illumbe began its journey in September 2022, composed of students from Pasaia Musikal who share a passion for vocal work and specific repertoire for low voices. Since its inception, the group has strengthened its activity through numerous concerts and performances, increasing its presence in the regional choral scene.
The group is led by composer and choral director Josu Elberdin, a professor at Pasaia Musikal and a prominent figure in contemporary choral creation in Euskadi. His compositions have been performed internationally and are a regular reference in the current choral repertoire.
The program for the occasion will blend religious compositions, works from the international choral repertoire, and traditional Basque songs. Selected pieces include titles such as Beata es Virgo Maria, Puer natus est nobis, Sancta Maria, Abschied von Walde, and the popular Blue Moon. Additionally, compositions and arrangements by Josu Elberdin himself will be featured, including Goiko mendian, Ilunabarra, and Maite e Iruten erromerian.
The stylistic diversity of the repertoire will showcase the expressive capabilities of the octet format and highlight the richness of choral music from both classical and popular perspectives.
One of the concert's most special moments will occur towards the end, with the spotlight on habaneras and popular songs. The program will include some of the genre's most famous pieces, such as Habanera del Guria, Parte vieja donostiarra, and Bermioko portuan.
The performance will also have a participatory element, as members of Otxote Illumbe will invite the audience to join in singing some of these songs. This initiative aims to create an intimate and shared experience, strengthening the bond between performers and spectators.
The organizers emphasize that this approach makes choral music accessible to people of all ages and encourages citizen participation in a cultural activity that goes beyond mere listening.
Maria Magdalenaren Lagunak highlights that the concert offers an opportunity to enjoy choral music in one of the town's most significant heritage sites. The acoustics and historical value of the María Magdalena Basilica provide a unique setting for a performance that will blend tradition, heritage, and contemporary musical creation.
The organizing entity also believes that the presence of a young ensemble like Otxote Illumbe helps to showcase the work of the new generations of local musicians and singers, as well as the educational efforts of centers like Pasaia Musikal.
With this offering, the basilica will once again become a meeting point for choral music enthusiasts, in an event that combines artistic quality, popular repertoire, and citizen participation around some of the most well-known melodies of Basque musical heritage.
