GRANADA’S 56 th International Festival of Music and Dance

14 Jun

Posted by Jim Mackie as About Andalucia, Andalucia History, Events, Granada, Historical places

The Beautiful city of Granada will soon be filled with the sights and sounds of the 56 th International Festival of Music and Dance. This is the oldest event of its kind in Spain which dates back to the Corpus Christi Symphonic concerts at the start of the twentieth century. This year the event runs from the 22nd June through to the 8th July

This year as always the program of events includes a wide selection of performers and the City of Granada is a stunning host for this feast of cultural events. The city itself is full of beautiful and historical buildings such as the Alhambra and the Cathedral and the Palacio de Carlos V which is one of the venues for the festival are well worth the visit.

The City also has some great restaurants offering a wide range of cuisine from around the world and to suit all budgets.
Hotels In Granada will be full to capacity for this event and so you may need to travel slightly further afield if you are planning to visit the festival.

This year’s Festival programme is as follows….

Friday 22 nd June 2007. In the Palacio de Carlos V at 22.30. The two act opera “Il Califfo di Bagdad” with music by Manuel Garcia is based on the text by Andrea Leone Tottola. Les Talens Lyrique conducted by Cristophe Rousset and the City of Granada Orquestra Choir directed by Daniel Mestre are joined by a cast which includes Jose Manuel Zapata Isauun, Milena Storti, Anna Chierichetti, Manuela Custer, Emiliano Gonzalez Toro, Mario Cassi and David Rubiera. The Opera has been recuperated as a coproduction by the Fundacion Caja Madrid and the Granada Music and Dance Festival.

Saturday 23rd June 2007. In the Santa Inglesia Cathedral at 12.30 there is a religious choir recital by the Ensemble Organum conducted by Marcel Peres: “Misa para una Virgen martir” feature music from the 16 th Century in Toledo. Entrance is free.

In the Generalife Gardens at 22.30. Dance and Ballet by the Bordeaux National Opera Ballet directed by Charles Jude. The programme comprises “Les Syphides” with music by F. Chopin, choreography by Mikhail Kokine and scenery and costumes by Alexandre Benois. “Le Spectre de la rose” with music and choreography by Mikhail Fokine and scenery and costumes by Leon Bakst. “L’Apres midi d’un faune” with music by C. Debussy, choreography by Vaslav Nijinski and scenery and costume by Leon Bakst and “The Prodigal Son” with music by S. Prokofiev, choreography by G. Balanchine and scenery and costumes by Georges Rouault. The recital comes under the patronage of La Caixa.

Sunday 24 th June 2007. In the Caja Granada Central Hall at 12.30 a recital of religious choir music by the Ensemble Organum conducted by Marcel Peres. “El misterio de la encarnacion del verbo” features music from the 11 th and 12 th Centuries.

In the Carlos V Palace at 22.30 the two act opera “Califfo di Bagdad” with music by Manuel Garcia based on the texts of Andrea Leone Tottola. Les Talen Lyrique conducted by Christophe Rousset and the City of Granada Orchestra’s Choir conducted by Daniel Mestre are joined by soloists Jose Manuel Zapata, Milena Storti, Anna Chierichetti, Manuel Cuter, Emiliano Gonzalez Toro, Mario Cassi and David Rubiera for this co production by the Fundacion Caja Madrid and the Granada Music and Dance Festival.

In the Isabel La Catolica Theatre at 22.30 Flamanco with the Camara Negra directed by Manuel Liñan and Olga Pericet. The choreography and dance are by Olga Pericet, Manuel Liñan, Daniel Doña and Marco Flores with “El Picuo” and Leo Treviño as singers, Jose Luis Monton, Fernando de la Rua and Jesus Pimentel on guitars. The original music is by Jose Luis Monton, Fernando de la Rua, Jesus Pimentel and Arcadio Marin.

Monday 25 th June 2007. In the Jose Tamayo Theatre (La Chana) at 19 .30. A Children’s show and workshop featuring flamenco for youngsters from the age of 6. El Flamenco Vive Company performs “El Flamenco en cuatro estaciones” directed and choreographed by Silvia Marin with scenery by David Bottos and lighting by Jose Luis Canales.

In the Generalife Gardens at 22.30. Dance and Ballet with the National Bordeaux Opera Ballet, with artistic director Charles Jude: “Noces” with music by I. Stravinsky, choreography by Bonislava Nijinska and scenery and costumes by Natalia Gontcharova. “Le Sacre du printemps” with music by I. Stravinsky, choreography by Leonide Massine and scenery and costumes by Nicolas Roerich.

Tuesday 26 th June 2007. In the Jose Tamayo Theatre (La Chana) at 19 .30. A Children’s show and workshop featuring flamenco for youngsters from the age of 6. El Flamenco Vive Company performs “El Flamenco en cuatro estaciones” directed and choreographed by Silvia Marin with scenery by David Bottos and lighting by Jose Luis Canales.

In the Carlos V Palace at 22.30 the City of Granada Orchestra conducted by Jean-Jacque Kantorow with soloists Renaud Chapucon (violin) and Jonathan Waleson (piano). The programme comprises “Caprice andalou” in G major, Op 122 by C. Saint-Saens, “Symphony in C” by G. Bizet, “Otra noche. Recordando a Manuel de Falla” by Vicent Paulet and “Symphonie espagnole, Op 21” by Edouard Lalo. The recital comes under the patronage of Fundacion Caja Rural.

Wednesday 27th June 2007. In the Hotel Alhambra Palace at 19.30. Café concert by Les Chemins de l’amour” with singers Serge Hureau and Olivier Hussenet and pianist Cyrille Lehn. The programme comprises works by F. Poulenc, G. Auric, D. Milhaud, A. Honegger, G. Tailleferre, L. Durey, E. Satie and others. The concerts in collaboration with the Centre National du Patrimoine de la Chanson, des Varietes e des Musique actuelles are given nightly from Wednesday 27 th June to Friday 29 th June 2007.

In the Fundacion Euro-Arabe de Altos Estudios from 9.30 to 14.30 an Internacional Symposium on Musical Relations between Spain and France from the Middle Ages to the present day by Manuel Pedro Ferreira from Lisbon University, Emilio Ros-Fabregas from the Granada University and Louis Jambou from the Sorbona-Paris IV University.

Thursday 28 th June 2007. In the Jose Tamayo municipal theatre at 19.30 the Children’s Festival features “Pequeños paraisos” starring and choreographed by Aracaladanza, directed by Enrique Cabrera with music by Mariano Lozano and P. Ramos and scenery by Eliza Sanz and Enrique Cabrera. The show is recommended for children from the age of 3.

In the Carlos V Palace at 22.30 the Orchestre de Paris conducted by Christoph Eschenbach with violin soloist David Grima,. The programme comprises “Alborada del gracioso” by M. Ravel, “Havanaise, Op 83” by C. Saint-Saens, “Tzigane” by M. Ravel, “Iberia” by I. Albeniz and E. Fernandez and “Bolero” by M. Ravel.

In the Fundacion Euro-Arabe de Altos Estudios from 9.30 to 14.30 an International Symposium on Musical Relations between Spain and France from the Middle Ages to the present day by Marie-Bernadette Dufourcet Bocinos from the Burdeos III University, Francesc Bonastre from the Barcelona Autonomous University and Begoña Lola from the Madrid Autonomous University.

Friday 29 th June 2007. In the Jose Tamayo municipal theatre at 19.30 the Children’s Festival features “Pequeños paraisos” starring and choreographed by Aracaladanza, directed by Enrique Cabrera with music by Mariano Lozano and P. Ramos and scenery by Eliza Sanz and Enrique Cabrera. The show is recommended for children from the age of 3.

In the Carlos V Palace at 22.30. The Orchestre de Paris conducted by Josep Pons with mezzo soprano Itxaro Mentxaka. The programme comprises “Natura (a la memoria inolvidable de Adolfo Salazar)” by Luis de Pablo, “Petruchka” by I. Stravinsky and “El sombrero de tres picos” by Manuel de Falla. The recital comes under the patronage of CajaGranada.

In the Fundacion Euro-Arabe de Altos Estudios from 9.30 to 14.30 an International Symposium on Musical Relations between Spain and France from the Middle Ages to the present day by Maria Gembrero Ustarros from Granada University and Stephan Etcharry from Reims University. There will be a round table moderated by Yvan Nommick with composers Jose Garica Roman and Vicent Paulet.

Saturday 30 th June 2007. In the Hospital Real at 12.30 a religious choir concert by Le Poeme Harmonique conducted by Vincent Dumestre: “Espagnol, je te supplie!” features works by Etienne Moulinie, Antonio Martin y Coll, Gaspar Sanz, Le Baillo and Luis de Briceño

In the Generalife Gardens at 22.30. A Flamenco Gala with dancers Merche Esmeralda, Manolo Marin, Joaquin Grilo, Nani Paños and Fuensanta La Moneta. The singers are Diana Navarro, David Lagos, Tamara Tañe and Carmen Grilo, the guitarist are Alfredo Lagos, Jose Arenas and Jose Valencia. They are joined by Juan Pablo Zilienski on violin and Sergio Martinez on drums.

In the Fundacion Euro-Arabe de Altos Estudios from 9.30 to 14.30 an International Symposium on Musical Relations between Spain and France from the Middle Ages to the present day by Jorge de Persia, musician and critic for La Vanguardia, Luis de Pablo, composers and Yvan Nommick from the Paris University.

Sunday 1 st July 2007. In the San Jeronimo Monastery at 12.30. A recital of religious choir music by Le Poem Harmonique conducted by Vincent Dumestre: “Tenebrae”. Works by Michel-Richard de Lalande, Jose de Torres and Marc Antoine Charpentier.

Monday 2 nd July 2007. In the Hospital Real at 22.30. Chamber music recital by mezzo soprano Magdalena Kozeña accompanied on piano by Yefim Bronfman: “Liederkreis, Op 39” by R. Schumann, “Histoires naturelles Op 50” by M. Ravel, “Seis canciones Op 38” by S- Rajmaninov and “Dorfszenen, SZ 7M” by B. Bartok

In the Generalife Gardens at 22.30. The Victor Ullate Comunidad de Madrid Ballet directed by Victor Ullate with Eduardo Lao as artistic director perform “Coppelia” with music by Leo Delibes, choreography by Eduardo Lao, wardrobe by Pedro Moreno, scenery by Carles Pujol and lighting by Nicolas Fischtel.

Tuesday 3 rd July 2007. In the Carlos V Palace at 20.30. The Royal Seville Symphony Orchestra conducted by Pedro Halffter with piano soloists Juan Carlos Garvayo and Alberto Rosado. The programme comprises “Sensemaya (Canto para matar una culbera)” by Silvestre Revueltas, “Movimientos (concert for two pianos and orchestra)” by Jose Manuel Lopez, “Concert for two pianos and orchestra” by F. Poulenc and “Le Sacred du printemps” by I. Stravinsky.

Wednesday 4 th July 2007. In the theatre in the Hotel Alambra Palace at 19.30. “Españoles en Paris” with Jordan Tejedor on violin accompanied by Miguel Angel Tapia on piano: works by Agustin Lara, Pablo de Sarasate and Manuel de Falla. Performances nightly from 4 th to 6 th July 2007

In the Patio de los Arrayanes at 22.30. A recital of Chamber music by pianist Aldo Ciccolini: “Preludes” by C. Debussy, “Valses nobles et sentimentales op 61” by M. Ravel and “Cuatro piezas españoles: Fantasia baetica” by Manuel de Falla.

Thursday 5 th July 2007. In the theatre in the Hotel Alambra Palace at 19.30. Café concert “Espaloles en Paris” with Jordan Tejedor (violin) accompanied by Miguel Angel Tapia. Works by Agustin Lara, Pablo de Sarasate and Manuel de Falla. Performances from 4 th to 6 th July 2007 .

In the Generalife Gardens at 22.30. Dance and ballet with the Bejart Ballet of Lausanne directed by Maurice Bejart. The programme comprises “La Rose” from traditional music with choreography and costumes by Maurice Bejart, “Juan y Teresa” from traditional Spanish music with choreography by Maurice Bejar and costumes by Anna de Giorgi, “Bolero” by M. Ravel with choreography, costumes and decoration by Maurice Bejart. The show comes under the patronage of CajaGranada.

Friday 6 th July 2007. In the theatre in the Hotel Alambra Palace at 19.30. Café concert “Españoles en Paris” with Jordan Tejedor on violin accompany by Miguel Angel Tapia on piano. Works by Agustin Lara, Pablo de Sarasate and Manuel de Falla.

Saturday 7 th July 2007. In the Hospital Real at 12.30. Antique music from Le Concert Spirituel al “Paris de Haydn” by the Baroque Orchestra of Seville conducted by Monica Huggett with soloist Nuria Rial (soprano): works by Domenico Scarlatti, George Friedrich Handel and Johann Sebastian Bach.

In the Carlos V Palace at 22.30. Symphonic recital by the Staatskapelle Berlin conducted by Daniel Barenboim: “Symphony no 5 in C sharp Minor” by G. Mahler. The concert is financed by the Andalucian Government.

In the Isabel La Catolica Theatre at 22.30. Flamenco with “La Francesa” featuring five choreographies by Israel Galvan for Pastora Calvan. Pedro Sierra directs and plays guitar in this recital with dancer Pastora Galvan and Miguel Iglesias on guitar and David Lagos and Juan Jose Amador as singers.

Sunday 8 th July 2007. In the Hospital Real at 12.30. Antique music with Le Concert Spirituel al “Paris de Haydn” by the Seville Baroque Orchestra conducted by Monical Huggett: works by Jean-Fery Rebel, Franz Joseph Haydn, Jean-Philippe Rameau. Entrance is free.

In the Carlos V Palace at 22.30. Symphony recital by the Staatskapelle Berlin conducted by Daniel Barenboi, with piano soloist Lang Lang: “Concerto for piano No. 1 in D minor Op 15” by J. Brahms,

More information can be obtained from the Festival offices in calle Carcel Baja 19, 3º 18001 Granada, phone 958 221 844 Fax 958 220 691.

Integrated into the Granada International Festival of Music and Dance are higher education courses in music at a professional level, as well as various aspects in the fields of art, culture and other complementary disciplines. These have been held annually since 1970. For information on Cursos Internacionales “Manuel deFalla” call 958 210 429, Fax: 58 210 399 or email: cursos@granadafestival.org

Somes Useful websites include

Town Hall Website

Granada Tourist Office