A CONCERT: THE HISTORY OF BASQUE MUSIC

ONE NIGHT ONLY

Saturday, September 26, 2026 | The Presidio Theater, San Francisco

TICKETS AVAILABLE SOON
SPONSOR THIS EVENT

CONSIDER YOURSELF INVITED…

…to The History of Basque Music: A Living Portrait of an Ancient Land

This is an opportunity to experience Basque history through a dynamic, documentary-style performance. Pianist Josu Okiñena weaves together narration, live music, and visual storytelling to bring the composers, influences, and identity behind the music into focus. He is joined by Garikoitz Mendizabal, whose mastery of the traditional txistu grounds the program in its roots, and by Noelia Ibáñez, whose vocals add a powerful and contemporary dimension. Together, they create something immersive, personal, and accessible.

Saturday, September 26, 2026 @ 6:00 p.m.
The Presidio Theater
99 Moraga Avenue, San Francisco, CA

    WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL ABOUT THIS EVENT?

    In our diaspora, classical music is often overlooked when people think of Basque identity, despite its deep roots in our history. Yet composers like Maurice Ravel and Aita Donostia show us how that connection still lives on. Ravel’s work, shaped in part by his Basque heritage, carries a distinct sense of place—something you feel in the rhythm, the color, and the movement of the music. Aita Donostia, meanwhile, turned directly to traditional Basque songs, gathering and reworking them in ways that both preserve and renew their spirit.

    This is more than a concert—it’s a space to connect. Whether you know the music or are hearing it for the first time, you’re invited to listen, reflect, and experience it in a way that feels immediate and lasting.

      ONE NIGHT, LASTING IMPACT: The BEO Commitment

      This event is only a starting point for the BEO to commit to continued education, advocacy, and cultural preservation. As always, we are committed to turning awareness into action.

      Keeping this cultural language alive means supporting the next generation. Beginning this evening, the BEO is committing to continued support for young musicians studying and performing classical Basque music by partnering with the right people, programs, and cultural institutions to help keep this tradition alive.

        FEATURED EVENT ARTISTS

        Josu Okiñena

        Internationally acclaimed pianist and scholar Okiñena brings Basque musical heritage to life through performance and storytelling. His work focuses on rediscovering and promoting Basque composers within the classical canon, highlighted by his internationally recognized performances at Carnegie Hall, where he has presented Basque repertoire to global audiences, elevating their presence on the world stage.

        Garikoitz Mendizabal

        A leading figure in elevating the txistu, Mendizabal bridges tradition and symphonic performance. A two-time first prize winner in the Basque Country Solo Txistularis Competition, he has performed in major international venues. He continues to expand the instrument’s role across genres—from classical to jazz—bringing the txistu to global audiences.

        Noelia Ibáñez

        Renowned for her expressive voice and versatility, Ibáñez has performed extensively across Spain and Europe in both operatic and concert repertoire, collaborating with a range of conductors and ensembles in diverse performance settings. Her work spans classical and contemporary pieces, bringing emotional depth and nuance to each performance. In this program, she adds a powerful and modern vocal dimension, bridging past and present through compelling interpretation.

        A SNEAK PEEK

        CO-PRESENTED BY

        The Basque Educational Organization | Eusko Jaurlaritza • Gobierno Vasco | Etxepare Euskal Institutua