This summer he went to his town, Roncal, to inaugurate the grandiose plaza-frontal-promenade that Juli n Gayarre had ordered built for his countrymen on the banks of the Ezka, made of well-carved gray stone, one hundred meters long and twenty-four meters long. wide. Various types of ball can be played. Its cost was eighty thousand dollars of that time. At the beginning of July Gayarre arrived with his sister-in-law, his nephews and Pepe Elorrio. His usual friends were already waiting for him there, staying at his house. The best pelotaris from San Sebasti n went there, and with them the famous "Chiquito de Eibar". I invited fans from all the towns in the valley. I brought a music band from Pamplona. Once the beautiful pediment was blessed, the festivities began that lasted three days, with dances, ball competitions, fireworks, popular snacks and general joy that spread to the inhabitants of the seven towns.
Ignoring the offers of Real Madrid, he moved to Milan for the 1888 season that began in the first days of January. He reappeared at La Scala with La Africana . After ten years of absence he was once again the idol of the most demanding and knowledgeable public in the rich world. The Milanese continued to maintain the title of our great tenore . In the midst of Milan's glory, the Italian government called him to Rome, to sing at King Victor Emmanuel's funeral. I was to sing the Mass of R quiem, by Mascheroni, in the Pantheon. Gayarre's voice impressed deeply. Upon completion, the head of the Italian government, Mr. Crispi, presented him with the diploma and insignia of the Order of the Crown of Italy. First to be granted to a foreign artist. He finished the season at La Scala resoundingly. Then to Rome, for a month at the Teatro Argentino, and then at the Comunale in Bologna.
MEL