The two artists, with strong ties to Durangaldea and Bizkaia, will perform accompanied by the Castilla y León Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Oliver Díaz. This concert marks the opening of a new edition of the festival, which has become a leading reference in chamber opera.
Goikoetxea highlights the festival's significance, particularly the participation of the Castilla y León Symphony Orchestra, calling it "one of the best in Spain." She also praises the conductor, Oliver Díaz, as a versatile maestro adept at both symphonic and operatic repertoire, noting his tenure at the Teatro de la Zarzuela.
Gorrotxategi also emphasizes the conductor's quality, having worked with him and considering him "very good, among the best." The tenor expresses his joy at reuniting with an artist from his own region, jokingly stating they will "bring Durangaldea to Zamora to give them some shouts."
The last time the two artists shared a stage was in June 2022 at the Arriaga Antzokia in Bilbao, for the show Ay, babilonio que marea. They were accompanied by the Bilbao Orkestra Sinfonikoa (BOS) and the Sociedad Coral de Bilbao, under the direction of Iker Sánchez Silva, in a performance focused on zarzuela repertoire.
Vanessa Goikoetxea boasts a distinguished international career, having performed in major theaters across Europe, America, and Asia. Her recent successes include her debut as Salomé and critical acclaim for her interpretations of Anna in Puccini's Le Villi and Richard Strauss's Vier letzte Lieder.
Andeka Gorrotxategi, born in Abadiño, is regarded as one of the most significant voices to emerge from the Basque Country in recent decades. His career also adds considerable value to this reunion, having performed on world-class opera stages such as the Rome Opera and the Teatro Real in Madrid.
Both artists have carried the names of Durango, Abadiño, Bizkaia, and Euskal Herria to international stages, and will now once again take center stage at a prominent event of the Spanish lyrical summer season in Zamora.
