On 25 August, it marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Leonard Bernstein, and to pay tribute to this immense referent of the American music culture of the 20th century, the Arriaga Theatre organized a spectacular concert show. In my opinion, the admirable qualities and talents of this figure are not sufficiently praised, perhaps because the public links Bernstein with a specific genre, musical films, regardless of the prolific and varied production of this composer. That is why I find it really fitting to devote to this musician the last programme of this year’s Arriaga season. Under the title of I hate music (title of a selection of children's songs by the composer), we were offered a fun program in which such famous and not so famous passages of the musician were mixed.

It wasn't a concert as usual. Bernstein’s passages and songs were naturally intertwined in a music-hall environment. The effects of light and other ornaments were not lacking, forming a curious whole. We had a couple of soloists. Israeli pianist Michal Friedlander, very comfortable with Bernstein's music, effective at all times, and our Ainhoa Arteta, more star than ever. In fact, it was Arteta who carried the greatest weight of the show. He sang with majesty, but it wasn't his best performance. He moved easily on the stage, with superiority, like a diva. Also with sympathy. He's a close and smiling artist, and that's from agradecer.Empezor with the song I feel pretty from West Side Story, quite irregular. But the tolosarra went up with other songs. The I hate music, for example, was filled with grace; My name is Barbara was very well heard; Dream with me, a very expressive song taken from Peter Pan. But on the Somewhere he didn't get the stress right. Yes, you should improve the pronunciation of your English.

The Coral Society of Bilbao gave us brilliant moments. The Gloria in Excelsis of Mass, for example, was interpreted with rhythm and courage. The work of Bilbao Orkestra Sinfonikoa, under the direction of Karl-Heinz Steffens, was always accurate.