La Tribuna

"It was outstanding to see the composer of the Suite acting as violinist among the musicians of the Malaga Philharmonic Orchestra and premiering his own composition.

The music of the composer G. Bussi is universal, very singable, understandable and easy to reach the public. Perhaps that ease of connecting and being able to reach everyone is due to the different continents where he has lived and been trained, thus broadening his humanistic and musical horizon. Bussi offers a very human music, transcending space and time."

Report on the creation of La Tribuna and the efforts of the creators to get the opera premiered, after inicial plans to roll it out for the centenary of Emilia Pardo Bazán's decease had to be postponed.

With abundant audiovisual material and references to this page.

"...On this occasion we heard a symphonic suite from the opera.

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Bussi used a rich instrumentation, which – adding the fact that the composer stays true to the heritage of romanticism – helps the public embrace the composition happily, because you can listen to it without difficulties. The author was heavily applauded. Brilliant reading of the orchestra, well conducted by Pons..."

"... The symphonic suite of La Tribuna ... Written for large orchestra, it was very welcomed by the musicians...

It is a music that is not only far off the contemporary music proceedings, but which decidedly applies aesthetics of the 19th century , difficult to fit into modern music programming...

Bussi's work certainly proved to have the necessary craftmanship and inspiration to justify it being performed and listened to, and even heavily applauded, as the public in fact did..."

"... It's not a minor accomplishment by Ozores to adapt the novel of Lady Emilia to the stage – and even to the musical stage, with its particular demands. Same to say of Gabriel Bussi, creator of a music that promises to capture the listener through its undeniable beauty and true lyricism. Now, after this brilliant launch on the very same stage where the immortal novel takes place (the first one to feature of social character in Spanish literature), it only remains to get it premiered in its entirety, through support of all Galician institutions. It would be ideal to have it promoted by our local opera festival, which would be honored to host its world premiere..."

"...Gabriel Bussi, visibly moved, said that five years ago, during a premiere of one of his works, he was asked what his next challenge would be, to which he replied without thinking: "compose an opera". Two or three days later, he was contacted by Ozores, asking if he would participate in this project. He praised Ozores' work in condensing the book, "making cuts and combining characters while maintaining the essence" in a superb way.

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Javier Ozores ... pleaded with Amigos de la Ópera and all present authorities to help get the work onto the stage...

Countess Pardo Bazán, Carmen Colmeiro, heir to the writer ... finalized making vows for the opera to be performed."

"... The cigar maker and her creator returned last night to the old tobacco factory, scenery of «a masterpiece that completely maintained its relevance throughout time», laid out by Javier Ozores.

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Bussi praised Ozores' «bravery to put in verses a work of this kind», stressing that, even though condensed, it contained everything. He also emphasized that Ozores didn't opt for a dramatic ending –when Baltasar breaks up with Amparo, «although the way she acts in the end it looks more like she breaks up with him»–, but there is a third act in which the protagonist, being pregnant, «not only faces the social burden to have a fatherless child but even keeps helping the cigar workers to build barricades»..."