Premiere: 17th May 1962

Arriaga Theatre, Bilbao

Music: J. Olaizola

Choreography: V. Olaeta

zorgineta

Lorea, heir of an ancestral house, has been orphaned and lives with her uncle and guardian Jaunbelz. Lirain, servant in the house, is in love with Lorea, and she with him, but Jaunbelz is not in favour of this relationship, as he wants Lorea for himself.

Lirain dreams that he is a dantzari (dancer) who reaches Zorgiñeta, a legendary country, where a tournament is going to take place and where the winner will receive the hand of the queen, none other than his dearest Lorea. Zaldun, a diabolic figure, the incarnation of Jaunbeltz, arrives there and also wants to win the prize. Zorgiñeta is decked out for the event and the court turns up accompanied by the Queen of the fairies. Both characters challenge each other to a dual, which the Dantzaro wins, and Zaldun is shunned even by his supporters. The Dantzari approaches the Queen who orders a dance in his honour.