PICK OF THE WEEK: Andorra (Pyrenees)
Main places:
Andorra la Vella, Escaldes-Engordany, San Julia de Loria, La Massana, Ordino, Encamp, Canillo, Pas de la Casa
OPERA
Thursday, 28th November at 20.10h at the Cinemes Illa Carlemany, Escaldes-Engordany. From the Gran Teatre de Liceu, Barcelona: Puccini’s Turandot. Conducted by Josep Pons. Stage director and video by Franc Aleu. Starring Iréne Theorine, Lise Lindstrom, Jorge de Leon, Ermonela Jaho with the Symphony Orchestra and Chorus of the Liceu Opera Barcelona. The Story: Princess Turandot has sworn that no man shall marry her unless he can correctly answer three riddles. Prince Calaf, captivated by Turandot’s beauty, takes up the challenge. He solves the riddles – but he also wants to win Turandot’s heart.
He proposes a new test: if Turandot can discover his name before dawn, he will die; if not, she is his. Just before dawn, Calaf reveals his name to the despairing Turandot, so placing himself in her power. She summons her people and declares she has discovered his name: it is love. The opera contains one of the most famous of all arias – ‘Nessun dorma’, sung as Calaf anticipates winning the Princess’s hand and immortalized in popular culture by Luciano Pavarotti. Turandot lends itself to grand spectacle and in the new production by video artist Frank Aleu we receive a massive dose of the spectacular – yet with great thoughtfulness in the detail. (Approx. 2h 40m)
MUSIC
Wednesday, 27th November at 20h in the Cinemes Illa Carlemany, Escaldes-Engordany. Inxs filmed live at Wembley Stadium in 1991. Live, Baby, Live! The classic film of the concert has been restored from 35mm film to create a new version in 4K Ultra HD for a panoramic screen and to be shown around the world for one night only. On top of which, they are offering a lost track never heard before and a new audio mix in Dolby Atmos produced by the executive director of the band, Giles Marti accompanied by Sam Okell.
Thursday, 28th November at 21.30h at the Hard Rock Cafe, Andorra la Vella. Hard Rock Cafe concerts: Relative Music. A concert with the collaboration of the Music School of Relative Music.
Friday, 29th November at 21.30h at the Hard Rock Cafe, Andorra la Vella. Hard Rock Cafe concerts: One Hour Before. One Hour Before will surprise you with their versions of the best hits in the history of Rock & Roll!
Friday, 29th November at 22.30h at the cafè-teatre La Fada Ignorant, Andorra la Vella. (Pay as you leave) Concerts at La Fada.
Saturday, 30th November at 21.30h at Anyós Park, La Massana. Vibrand concert in Clau de Soul. The best proposal for Saturday! If you like live music, while enjoying the country’s gastronomy, we are waiting for you in Anyós Park! A concert of soul, funky, R & B, jazz, reggae, bag …, by artists such as Sting, Jamiroquai, Amy Winehouse, Stevie Wonder, James Brown and Bruno Mars among many others. A trip that is born of soul and goes through different musical styles to the songs that you like the most!
Saturday, 30th November at 17h at the church of Sant Serni, Canillo. Part of the Romance Chamber series: Duo Albelda & Licciardi. The young Andorran cellist Jordi Albelda Santamargarita and the French pianist Nicolas Licciardi unite their talents to offer the closing concert of the Fourth Romance Chamber Cycle. We will have the chance to listen to a piece by the young French contemporary composer Corentin Boissier, who defines himself as a post neo-romantic. Among the twenty works he has written, the sonata written in 2017 that we can listen to stands out. We will also enjoy the sonata for violoncel and piano by Edward Grieg, one of the most important chamber music works written by the Norwegian composer and dedicated to his brother, a cellist. The concert will end with Chopin’s Polonaise for cello and piano.
THEATRE
PANTOMIME 2019 (in English) – ALADDIN (see attachment)
Sunday 8th December at 12h in the Teatre de Les Fontetes, La Massana. Free – with the chance to make a charitable donation, almost certainly to La Geverna, the Andorran children’s home at the end. They of course come to enjoy the show too. PANTOMIME 2019 – ALADDIN. Undoubtedly the most popular family event in the International Community’s Christmas Calendar. Directed & narrated by Sandra Wheatley with great help from her co-director, Frances Doonan and a multinational cast of 30 children and 10 adults (with another 10 helping behind the scenes). Performers are aged from 2 to 84 and of course you, the audience are included.
There will be singing and dancing and acting, so do come along and support the good guys and boo the baddies. Large signs held up by stage managers show what you have to shout out, e.g half the audience shouts things like “Oh no she didn’t!” followed by the other half responding with “Oh yes she did!” An entertainment full of fun for all. Originating in Rome, Pantomime was brought to England from Italy in the 17th century and has flourished ever since. Reserve your place NOW while seats last for this year’s panto by emailing [email protected] or call/whatsapp Sandra on 364 153.
FESTIVALS
ANDORRA LA VELLA’s ANNUAL CHRISTMAS VILLAGE AND MARKET from Friday, 29th November – Sunday, 29th December
El Poblet de Nadal brings magic and delight to Andorra la Vella. A set of spectacular proposals will fill the streets with animations, games, colour and an enchanting atmosphere that will help us live the Christmas holidays with more intensity.
* Christmas market
* Market tasting
* Large format shows
* Carols
* Aion of Christmas
* Post office for Father Christmas
* Christmas lights and sounds
* Traditional games from around the world
* Synthetic ice toboggan track
CINEMA
Monday 25th – Thursday 28th November at 20.10h at the Cinemes Illa Carlemany, Escaldes-Engordany. Frozen II. Directed by Chris Buck & Jennifer Lee. Starring: Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Josh Gad. The Story: Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven leave Arendelle to travel to an ancient, autumn-bound forest of an enchanted land. They set out to find the origin of Elsa’s powers in order to save their kingdom.
CHILDREN (All children’s activities are in Catalan unless otherwise stated.).
Thursday, 28th November at 18h at the Canillo Library. (Storytelling for children aged 4 – 8) El Somni de la Terra, (The Earth’s Dream) with Anna Frases.
Saturday, 30th November, at 11h at the public library, La Massana. Session Born to read for infants aged 0 – 3. La Medusa Perduda (The lost jellyfish) with Eva González. Synopsis: There are many animals in the Riudolç forest, some sleep at night and others by day. There are a lot of noises: auuuuu, auuuuu! ròc, ròc! piu, piu! rony, rony! zum,zum! ric, ric! biz, biz! rrrr and a sweet, freshwater river until a lost jellyfish appears and the river stops being sweet …
Saturday, 30th November Departure of young people to Barcelona and the Manga Comic Hall. Register at the Punt Jove in the Telecabina Building, Canillo or phone 753 632.
GASTRONOMY
Wednesday, 27th November at 19.30h a€t the Restaurant & Pizzeria Angelo Massana, La Massana. (Workshop price: 65€. Places limited. Reserve at +376 738 393.) From Art to table with Zoe. Cuisine workshop creating contemporaneous abstract art using foods and gastronomic tasting of Andorran dishes. Art and gastronomy come together to create a unique experience!
SPORT
SKIING: Saturday, 30th November, Partial opening of Vallnord Pal/Ordino ski stations – Arcalís is already partially open – plus Grandvalira’s Pas de la Casa and Grau Roig. The Grau Roig activities centre will also be operational, with snowshoeing excursions, igloo construction, orienteering challenges, ARVA and archery.
OTHER
Friday 29th form 17h – 20h and Saturday, 30th November from 10h – 20h at La Closeta, La Massana. VideSport, recycled sports wear and equipment at very reasonable prices.
Saturday, 30th November at 10h at FNAC Andorra (basement of Pyrénées department store), Andorra la Vella. 4th Rubik’s national cube tournament.
Saturday, 30th November from 18h – 19h at La Capsa, Creation spaces, Ordino. (Pre-registration by phone at 324 558.) Saturdays of Art: Let’s talk about art with Rosa Mujal. A brief history of Still Life in art.
Saturday, 30th November at 11.30h at the Tobacco Museum, Sant Julià de Lòria. (Prior booking required by calling 741 545 before 16.30h on Friday 29h.) Escape game for adults (+16) During the session, participants will meet Isabel and Joana, two women who are part of the Resistance against fascism (the Maquis) and who need help to protect the anonymity of some of their compatriots who are about to be discovered by the Civil Guard.
Sunday, 1st December at 11.30h at the MW Electricity Museum, Encamp. (Cost: Adults: 5€. Entrance for retired people: 2.50€. Free admission for national students. Limited places. Reserve your place by calling 739 111 or by sending an email to [email protected] For children aged 7 and over.) Visit the bowels of the FEDA Hydroelectric Power Station. This winter visitors can return to corners never usually seen in our hydroelectric power station! Visit the Museum and, at the entrance price, you can enjoy a limited and exclusive visit that you will love.
STREET MARKET
Saturday, 30th November 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
See also Andorra travel guide
See also Pyrenees travel guide
See also France travel guide
See also Spain travel guide
