PICK OF THE WEEK: Monday, 22nd July – Sunday, 28th July, 2019
OPERA
Tuesday, 23rd July at 20.15h at the Cinemes Illa Carlemany, Escaldes-Engordany. (Free) Screening of the opera Norma by Bellini, recorded at the Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona in February 2015. Scenic direction by the American Kevin Newbury and Musical direction by the Italian, Renato Palumbo. Starring: Sondra Radvanosvsky as Norma and Gregory Kunde as Pollione. The Story: The priestess, Norma, loves Pollione, leader of the occupying forces suppressing her people, and has borne two children by him. But Pollione’s love has withered, and he now loves Norma’s fellow priestess Adalgisa. Meanwhile, the people urgently look to Norma to lead their rebellion. Norma discovers the love between Pollione and Adalgisa. Furious, she gives the signal for war.
Pollione is captured, attempting to steal away with Adalgisa. Norma, called upon to announce a sacrificial victim to consecrate the uprising, declares it shall be a guilty priestess – herself. In the framework of their opera, ballet and theatre season, Cinemes Illa are organizing, for the first time in summer, a special projection of Vincenzo Bellini’s work which develops in two acts lasting about three hours and a quarter. The session, with free access for up to 250 people, will feature a presentation, in person, by the musicologist and opera critic, Pol Avinyó.
MUSIC
Wednesday, 24th July at 21h at Cal Pal, La Cortinada. (Free) 23rd Open Nights – ONCA Bàsic: Duo divertimento with David Font Bernet (guitar) and Elizabeth Downes (flute) They will play a rich and varied repertoire demonstrating that this instrumental combination has interested composers of all periods, since they combine perfectly and at the same time allow a very diverse play of timbre. The ONCA Basic cycle is a series of small-format events organized by the ONCA Foundation, funded by the Andorran Government and the Crèdit Andorrà Foundation. The cycle has the collaboration of the Department of Cultural Heritage. Cal Pal is the 16th century building with the white dovecot on the corner at the northern end of La Cortinada.
Thursday, 25th July at 20h in the Plaça del Quart de la Massana, Summer Capvespres: The Four Flags. Four Flags is an Andorran band with a five-year history on the main stages of the country. Playing their own compositions, they generate an atmosphere full of enthusiasm, joviality and good vibes. Their style includes different trends, ranging from an aggressive rock to a more indie or commercial style. The Musicians: Riccardo Sandrini (vocals), Jordi Diaz (bass), Martin Blanco (drums) and Eric Lepoix and Chris d’Annunzio (guitar).
Thursday, 25th July at 22h at the Passeig de l’Alguer, Encamp. (Free) Encamp in the key of light with Draco Daiko. Find out about the magic and purity of Japanese folklore with this traditional taiko drum show and an introduction to sixth-century Japanese ceremonies. The legend explains how the goddess Ama-no-Uzume made the sun goddess, Amaterasu, come out of her cave dancing on a boot that would give rise to the instrument.
Friday, 26th July at 20h at the Museu Casa Areny-Plandolit, Ordino. (12€ or 10€ for over 65 and 15 – 25-year-olds. Online from https://www.4tickets.es/femap/public/janto/) Concapela Femap Early Music Concert played by Juan de la Rubia. Antonio de Cabezón. A musician at the service of Felipe II Programme of the day: 17h Free guided tour of the Casa Museu de Areny-Plandolit. 20h Concert by Juan de la Rubia on the claviorgan*. Programme: Works by J. Arcadelt, W. Byrd, A. de Cabezón and H. de Cabezón. The organist, Juan de la Rubia, has devoted himself to studying the music of Antonio de Cabezón, blind organist at the court of Felipe II, on which he based this concert. *About the instrument. The claviorgan’s origin is uncertain but its history can be traced back to the 15th century. Juan de la Rubia has recorded a CD on one of the world’s few remaining, original instruments, the Hauslaib calviorgan found in Barcelona’s Music Museum, though built in Germany in 1590. It unites, in one housing, a chamber organ and a small calvecin with two keyboards, one for each instrument. The Hauslaib claviorgan is ornamented in gold, silver and hawksbill tortoise shell
Friday, 26th July at 21.30h at the Hard Rock Cafe, Andorra la Vella. Hard Rock Cafe Concerts: Gato
Friday, 26th July at 23h at the cafè teatre La Fada Ignorant, Andorra la Vella. Concerts a la Fada: The Music of Maurice Gene with a presentation of his latest disc, Golden Days.
Saturday, 27th July at 21h at the Casa Rull Museum, Sispony. Summer Nights in the Museums: Duo de Cine: A Movie Menu with Alexandre Arajol (violin) and Míriam Manubens (piano). The Duo de Cine offers a musical tasting of great soundtracks. From the most classic to the most spectacular melodies of today, they present a collection of pieces that refer to unforgettable moments on the big screen. Life is Beautiful, Schindler’s List, Moon River, Hungarian dance no. 5, The entertainer, The piano, You’ve got a friend in me, Aria from the Orchestral Suite num.3, West Side Story, He’s a Pirate, Another Day of Sun.
Saturday, 27th July probably at 23h at the cafè teatre La Fada Ignorant, Andorra la Vella. Concerts a la Fada: George Five.
Sunday, 28th July at 19h in the Foyer of the Andorra National Auditorium, Ordino. (Tickets: 15€ or 12€ for those over 65 plus 15 – 25 year-olds. Online from https://www.4tickets.es/femap/public/janto/) Femap Early Music Concert: In Dulce Jubilo by the Accademia del Piacere. Works by JS Bach. For German church musicians, improvising and composing arrangements based on Lutheran hymns was part of their daily work. Bach left us hundreds of examples and experimented with all the possible ways to embellish these melodies: harmonization, sumptuous ornamentation, counterpoint, canons, etc. The Accademia del Piacere shows us a variety of these flourishes with the sparkle that presides over all their concerts. Musicians: Rami Alqhai (bass viola de gamba*); Johanna Rose (tenor viola de gamba); Fahmi Alqhai (quinton* and direction). *The instruments: The Viola de gamba (viola of the leg) first appeared in Spain in the mid-fifteenth century. One of many stringed instruments of the viol family, it is played upright held between the knees, like today’s cello. It can have five to seven strings. The Quinton is a French, 18th century, baroque stringed instrument also of the viol family with a flat back and five strings and, like the Viola de gamba, is played held upright between the knees.
DANCE
Wednesday, 24th July at 21h in the Centre de Congressos, Andorra la Vella. The Moscow Ballet presents Swan Lake (Tickets: 45€ but Group tickets: with a minimum of 12 people, then each ticket is 25€. You can check availability at www.factoriacultural.com and, if you want, they can make a reservation of the best available seats. If the group is large, you can also take advantage of the option of free transportation to the theatre. In addition, there is a ‘Family Pack’: by buying 4 tickets, each one comes out at 30€. You can find them at [email protected] or whatsapp at 34 622328722.) Swan Lake is the most represented ballet in the history of dance and one of the best loved ones of all time. The fascinating story of princess-swan Odette travels through the whole range of human emotions in the hands of the great soloist Cristina Terentiev who manages to enter the audience in this charming tale. Always loyal to the original version, the Moscow Ballet will follow the choreography of Lev Ivanov and Marius Petipà with the unforgettable music of the great Tchaikovsky: the most admired composer in terms of ballet music.
FESTIVALS
RANSOL, L’ALDOSA & EL PLANS: Wednesday 24th – Friday, 26th July
WEDNESDAY: 17h Fishing competition. 21h Hamburger barbeque. 22h Magic show with Mag Txema – magician. 23h Concert with cover version group Pink Goat.
THURSDAY: 12h Solemn Mass. 13h Parade with the Xaranga Alegria band. 17h Foam party and afternoon snack for all. 23h Night time ball with Tercat Bugatti.
FRIDAY: 12h Font de Ferro. 17h Dance class with Liquid Dance. 00.00 Disco to close this year’s Festa Major.
31st ANNUAL SHEEPDOG TRIALS: at the Planells de Mereig, Canillo.
Sunday, 28th July. 9h Breakfast with the shepherds. 11h 31st Sheepdog Trials with the participation of skilled shepherds. 13.30h Awards Ceremony. Handicraft market throughout the morning. (A very popular event and a great day out with a picnic and a view but there’s not much shade so bring lots of sunscreen and water and an umbrella for shade…)
FESTA MAJOR DE SANT JULIÀ DE LÒRIA:
Friday 26th – Tuesday, 30th July.
(I can’t download their Agend.ad at the moment but try your tourist office for their pamphlet including a good map. I should have the info by Thursday’s update. C.A.)
BUT
During the festival come and try the new aquatic activity on the River Valira! Descend the river from the bridge at La Fontaneda to the border. Tickets available at the Naturlandia office in the Plaça Lauredia, Outings are at 12.30h, 15h and 17h. 1) You must be able to swim. 2) the event is for ages five and up. 3) Those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. 4) Wear clothes and footwear that can get wet and dirty. (The Comú takes no responsibility for clothing. ) 5) A helmet and lifejacket will be provided and must be worn throughout the activity. 6) You must obey the guides at all times.
CINEMA
Monday 22nd, Wednesday 24th and Thursday 24th July at both, 18h and 19.30h and on Tuesday, 23rd July at 19.30h at the Cinemes Illa Carlemany, Escaldes-Engordany. (VOSE subtitles in Spanish) The Lion King. Directed by Jon Favreau. Starring: Donald Glover, Beyoncé, Seth Rogen. The Story: After the murder of his father, a young lion prince flees his kingdom only to learn the true meaning of responsibility and bravery.
CHILDREN (All children’s activities are in Catalan unless otherwise stated.)
Monday, 22nd July at 15h at the Plaça de l’Església, Pas de la Casa: Summer afternoon at Pas de la Casa with a fun party where all children can enjoy a large foam bath with popular music, which will make the party more fun!
Tuesday, 23rd July at 17h at the Prat Gran, Encamp. Afternoons in Encamp with a water festival. Fun park with more than twenty water games and two refreshing inflatables. Ladders, buckets, balloon targets, pool with rubber ducks, inflatables and much more!
Wednesday, 24th July at 18h at Prat del Colat, La Massana. Little Summer Afternoons. An itinerant puppet show, Circ Circumloci, where humour mixes with home engineering and live music. Created in 2010, the show has been presented at Fira Tàrrega, Fira Manresa, Mostra d’Igualada and Puppets Fair of Lleida; in Mai, Belgium, La Strada de Bremen, Hamburg and Kulturberse in Paderborn and Freiburg in Germany, the Marionette Festival in Charleville, France, and the London Outdoor Arts Festival in London at the time of the Olympics. Circ Circumloci has mounted its track at the top of a motorized tricycle and is ready to perform for the whole town. A musician and a clown will be in charge of teaching us tricks of magic and balancing, presenting the forgotten man, the monster maker and finally the incredible Baby Bala, the only child able to fly more than 50 meters!
Thursday, 25th July at 17h at Prat Gran, Encamp. (Free) Summer Afternoon in Encamp with ‘Come and dance’. Ballons for couples, balloon games, choreographies, roller coaster and lots of fun and all accompanied by traditional Catalan musical themes.
Saturday, 27th July at 16.30h in the Plaça del Prat del Riu. (Free) Children’s activities: Giant bubbles, balloon twisting workshop and a foam party.
Every Saturday from 6th July to 10th August and from 10h – 13h and 16h – 19h at the Plaça de l’Església, Pas de la Casa and at the Prat Gran, Encamp, you will find lots of Inflatables where you can have fun with your friends.
OTHER
Wednesday, 24th from 19h – 20h in Parc Central, Andorra la Vella. Yoga in the Parc with Kiss and Tell. She invites anyone interested in practicing yoga this summer to join her for some evening sessions at Parc Central. This is a one hour, open level class and beginners are welcome to attend. These classes will be taught mainly in English. We will learn meditation and pranayama breathing techniques, and we will work with asanas derived from the Ashtanga, Hatha & Yin yoga practices. She is offering this as a donation-based class so you are welcome to give what you like only if you feel it in your heart. Please reserve your place in advance by contacting her via WhatsApp: +34 692 274 512. What to bring: Yoga mat, Water bottle What to wear: Loose and/or comfortable clothing
Friday, 26th July and Saturday, 27th July at 21.30h on the Iron Route – Llorts, Ordino. (Prior booking obligatory Tel (+376) 878 173.) Night visits to the Iron Mine. Discover the mine and the path of the traginers with torches/head lamps. (Bring your own.) Approximate duration: 2 hours and 30 minutes.
SPORTS
Tuesday, 23rd July at 20h at the Communal Stadium, Andorra la Vella. Match of the Santa Coloma Soccer Club in the second round of the UEFA Europa League. The Santa Coloma Soccer Club is the team champion of the 2016-2020 football soccer league against the Astana Football Club, team league champion of Kazakhstan.
STREET MARKETS
Saturday, 20th July from 10h – 14h in the Plaça dels Arínsols, Encamp. Encamp Saturday market. The Encamp Entrepreneurs Association (AEE) recommences their traditional market as a showcase for trade in the parish. This initiative, which was launched in 2014 with the collaboration of the Comú d’Encamp, has had numerous auxiliary activities such as botifarrades (sausage barbeques) children’s face painting, magic, musical performances or batucades (drum bands).
Culturally yours,
Clare.
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Look for about the author of the blog Clare Allcard
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