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
PICK OF THE WEEK: Monday, 2nd July – Sunday, 8th July, 2018
MUSIC
Tuesday, 3rd July at 22h at the historic site of les Bons, Encamp. (Free) Encamp in the key of light: Recital ‘Falla Lorca’. Voice and guitar recital with soprano Jonaina Salvador and guitarist David Sanz. The first part of the recital is made up of seven songs composed by Manuel de Falla (né Manuel María de los Dolores Falla y Matheu) The poem that Federico García Lorca dedicated to the composer, highlights the intimate friendship and musical-literary relationship that existed between the two cultural icons of the 20th century. The second part will consist of a set of songs by Federico García Lorca. This recital pays testimony to how these two intellectuals reconciled tradition and modernity, new aesthetic currents and popular music.
About Les Bons: The historical group of Les Bons is located in the village of Encamp. It is formed by the tiny church of Sant Romà, an old defence tower, two dovecotes and a water deposit dug out of the rock. This interesting group dates back to Andorra’s medieval period and is strategically located on a rocky outpost from where the entrance to the valley could be controlled by the church of Sant Romà which dates from the 12th century. It houses a reproduction of the Romanesque paintings of the Mestre de Santa Coloma. The saw-toothed carvings at the door and the apse are the only architectural decorations in the building. Guided tours from mid-July to mid-September. The rest of the year, guided tours are available on demand.
Thursday, 5th July at 22h in the Prat Gran, Encamp. Encamp in the key of light: Cor Rock d’Encamp. Encamp’s Rock Choir is recognized as the only public school choir in Andorra dedicated to the interpretation of choral versions of pop music, rock and hits. Their repertoire is based on musical themes arranged for three and four voices in combination with choreographed elements. This adolescent choir is diverse and welcomes students of different origins and nationalities that respond to diverse cultural and social realities. The concert will be accompanied by a laser show created exclusively for the event.
Thursday, 5th July at 21h at the Plaça Copríncep, Escaldes-Engordany. 34th Colours of Music Festival: Night of the World in Calella de Palafrugel, an evening celebrated with a repertoire of Havaneras / sea shanties inherited from the old singers of Calella.The women’s group Les Anxovetes and the folk dance group of Escaldes-Engordany, the Esbart Santa Anna, will be the protagonists of this summer night. Calella de Palafrugel is a small fishing village that still maintains its magic with narrow streets and white houses and vaults from the nineteenth century in front of the cove of Port Bo, where you can sample Empordà cuisine, a cuisine of sea and mountain. It is internationally famous for its Cantada de Havaneres, La bella Lola or My grandfather, among others created in 1967 to recapture songs from a time when more than one Catalan man tried to make a fortune in Cuba.
Thursday, 5th July at 21h in the church of Sant Miguel d’Engolasters, Escaldes-Engordany. (tickets 35€). All money raised will go to the Ibo Africa Foundation which works to promote developmental projects on the island of Ibo in Mozambique.) A concert in the series Summer Nights at the Museums with Lisa Jacobs, a virtuoso Dutch violinist who debuted with the Concertgebouw Orchestra aged 17.Since then, she has performed all over the world as a soloist or with other formations. In her trip through Andorra she will play pieces by Bach and Hindemith.
About Sant Miguel d’Engolasters: dating back to the 12th century, it is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful examples of the Romanesque style in Andorra, which is home to some 40 of these medieval buildings. The church features a unique architectural style as well as valuable paintings and sculptural decorations. The contrast between the height of the small nave and of the bell tower, which measures some 17 metres or 55 feet, is another surprising feature.
Concerts at the cafè-pub-teatre, La Fada Ignorant, Andorra la Vella. All at 23h. Thursday, 5th July: with Sergi Blanch
Friday, 6th July: Pedro Reñé.
Saturday, 7th July: Chivo Chivato.
Saturday, 7th July at 13h at the La Puça bookshop, Centre Historic, Andorra la Vella. Vermouth Musical with Sergi Blanch winner of the first La Fi Competition for song writers.
Saturday, 7th July at 21h at the Casa Rull, Sispony, La Massana. (Free but advanced reservation essential (+376) 839 760.) A concert in the series Summer Nights at the Museums: Vienna and the Pocket Opera with the Quartet Krommer and pieces by Krommer and Mozart. Vienna became the centre of the Austro-Hungarian empire in the 18th and 19th century, bringing its culture and music to its maximum splendor. Krommer is an example of a composer who suffused his work with Viennese perfumes, based on the purest German tradition. The Great Quartet op. 89 treats the instruments, especially the flute, with virtuosity.
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
