Charles Colin’s Maitena (1909) was a further step towards achieving the ideal of Basque opera linked to that of its own lyric theatre. For the critic and musicographer Francisco Gascue: “Colin has written a score that is as far from Wagnerian complications as it is from orchestral poverty; it is accessible without being poor or rudimentary. Colin has shown the same exquisite taste in the handling of the orchestra as in the choice of melodies”. He also singles out the duet between Domingo and Maitena at the beginning of Act I, the tenor and baritone duet that follows, the quartet in Scene VI, the melody sung by Chaadiñ at the beginning of Act II, Batista’s couplets and for its effect and simplicity the Angelus scene. He ends by noting the appropriate treatment of the chorus.

The action tells the story of the rich farmer Piarres Landaburu, Maitena’s father, and his intention to marry her off to Ganich, a young man from a good family, rather than to an unfortunate pelotari named Domingo. Maitena, contrary to her father, marries Domingo and goes to America in search of a new life. After being widowed in Buenos Aires, she returns to her father’s home where she finds only repudiation. Maitena moves away, but her father welcomes her back into his home, favouring her marriage to Ganich and thus returning the family to live together again.

The work, which premiered at the Teatro Campos Elíseos in Bilbao on 29 May 1909 under the direction of Aureliano Valle, was a resounding success.

Cast:
- Maitena: Miren Urbieta-Vega (soprano)
- Domingo: Mikeldi Atxalandabaso (tenor)
- Chaadiñ: Marifé Nogales (mezzo-soprano)
- Ganich: José Manuel Diaz (baritone)
- Piarrés: Fernando Latorre (basso)
- Batichta: Javier Tomé (tenor)
- Segadora: Estíbaliz Sánchez (soprano)
- Segador: Alberto Abete (tenor)