Italian and Spanish Lyrical Recital by José Miguel Llata and Maite Saiz

Tenor José Miguel Llata and pianist Maite Saiz are scheduled to perform a recital of Italian and Spanish lyric music as part of the ceremony for the Menéndez Pelayo Literary Prize.

The performance marks a continuation of the long-term professional partnership between Llata and Saiz, who have collaborated for years in the preparation of voice and piano programs. Their artistic relationship is based on a shared enthusiasm for concert lyric music and a similar vision regarding the interpretation of arias, romanzas, and songs from major composers.

The duo has established a consistent musical trajectory with performances across Spain and in various international venues. Their broad repertoire focuses specifically on concert songs, opera arias, and romanzas from the zarzuela tradition.

Collaboration within the LYRIKOS Ensemble

Beyond their work as a duo, José Miguel Llata and Maite Saiz are members of the ensemble LYRIKOS, which also includes soprano Estrella Cuello. The ensemble is noted for a strong musical affinity and a solid trajectory resulting from years of collaborative work.

The members of LYRIKOS maintain a rigorous and respectful approach to vocal repertoire. Their artistic focus extends to the oratorio, zarzuela, and the exploration of lesser-known musical heritage from both Spanish and international sources.

The group’s project emphasizes chamber refinement and intimate lyricism, often selecting works that are infrequently presented in standard concert cycles. This approach is intended to bring attention to vocal gems and poetic depth within the lyric tradition.

Recent Performance History

The ensemble LYRIKOS recently completed a Christmas tour across northern Spain, which concluded on January 4, 2026, with a concert at the Iglesia de los Carmelitas in Santander. The program for that event featured a selection of works by composers including:

• Lauridsen
• Niles
• Toldrà
• Rodrigo
• Puccini
• Saint-Saëns
• Gounod
• Holst
• Sibelius

The January 4, 2026, performance combined traditional carols with concert songs to create a program centered on spirituality and stylistic coherence.

In addition to their work with LYRIKOS, Llata and Saiz have performed as a duo in various settings. On May 8, 2024, they held a lyric recital at the Fundación Caja Cantabria (CASYC) in Santander. They also performed a recital in L’Escala on July 27, 2024.

The duo’s repertoire has also included performances in Torrelavega, Cantabria, where they interpreted the work La Madonna col Bambino by Camille Saint-Saëns.