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, 5th–11th November, 2018
100th ANNIVERSARY OF THE END OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY, 11th November at 11h at the Church of Santa Maria del Fener, Andorra la Vella. St. George’s Church, Andorra are marking the occasion by holding a service in memory of all those who have given their lives in armed conflicts around the world and in service to their country. This will be a traditional service of Remembrance led by Rev. John Chapman; poppies will be available, 2 minutes silence kept, and the last post sounded. We hope as many people as possible will be able to attend.
OPERA
Thursday, 8th November at 20.15h at the Cinemes, Illa Carlemany, Escaldes-Engodany. Legends of Opera: Giuseppe Verdi’s Aida starring Luciano Pavarotti as Radamès and Margaret Price as Aida in a San Francisco Opera production directed by Sam Wanamaker with musical direction by Luis Antonio Garcia. The Story: Aida, an Ethiopian princess, is captured and transported to Egypt as a slave. A military commander, Radamès, is torn between the love he feels for her and his loyalty to Pharaoh, whose daughter, Amneris is in love with him. (Aida is in 4 acts and lasts 2h 30m with three intervals. Don’t forget, the intervals are usually filled with fascinating backstage insights and interviews.)
MUSIC
Thursday, 8th November at 20h at the cafè teatre La Fada Ignorant, Andorra la Vella. (Pay as you leave)Concerts a la Fada: Lena Carilero.
Thursday, 8th November at 20h in the Hotel Plaza, Andorra la Vella. (Free) John Humphreys & Elizabeth Downes will be playing piano and flute for about an hour. The aim of the programme is to offer a repertoire to suit a wide spectrum of musical tastes from classical to popular. Everyone is most welcome to join them in the hotel’s relaxing reception area where you can sit and chat with family and friends, enjoy a drink from the bar and listen to live music.
Friday, 9th November, at 21h in the National Auditorium, Ordino. (Tickets 5€ at the concert one hour before the start, with all money going to the ASSANDCA cancer charity.) A benefit concert of classical songs including parts of Schubert’s Winterreise. Sung by Marc Terrones (baritone) and accompanied by Míriam Manubens (piano) with
presentation by Noemí Rodríguez.
Saturday, 10th November at 17h in the Church of Sant Miquel de Prats, Canillo (Free but places limited so reservation needed. Call 753 623 or 753 624) Duo Voce with Mireia Planas Vallcorba (cello); and Alexandre Arajol Pons (violin) playing A.Corelli’s Duet for violin and cello La Follia; J. S. Bach’s 4 inventions arrangemed for violin and cello and Z.Kódaly’s Duet for violin.
Saturday, 10th November at 11h, 12h and 16h in the Prat del Roure, Escaldes-Engordany. (3€ in advance or 5€ on the day). Aimed at children 3 and over. Babies under 12 months are free!) Family Concert: Des d’aquell dia, les trompes són recargolades. (Ever since that day, horns have been curled) A musical tale by David Puertas. Sending messages has never been as easy as today with mobile phones and the Internet. But many, many years ago, the messages were sent by blowing a horn: ta-raííí, ta-tàà! One day, one of them was very heavy and the players had to grow stronger. This story explains, with music by authors such as Tchaikovsky, Rossini and Mozart, why, since that day, horns have been curled. Offered by the ONCA Foundation.
AND DON’T FORGET ALL THE ‘SHOPPING FESTIVAL’ STREET MUSIC FROM 9th – 11th NOVEMBER
CHILDREN’S MUSICAL
Saturday, 10th November at 17h in the Sports Complex, Encamp. (5€ for adults. Children free). Alcia al pais de les meravelles. (Alice in Wonderland in Catalan). One day, 10 years ago, Alice was given her first mobile phone, but the white rabbit stole it and she chased after him. Alice has to travel through the country of wonders until she reaches the Palau dels Mòbils, where she finds a queen who is being driven mad by the new technologies and that makes it very difficult for Alice to return home. On this trip, Alice realizes that she cannot live as she did, stuck all the time on the phone, as she is losing touch with the real world. Alice discovers the value of imagination and reading, and learns to use the new technologies with discretion. Viu el Teatre presents a contemporary and updated Alice. The story we all know, but set in our times, where children live with technology on a daily basis. A musical comedy with a lot of
humour, which will make both old and young laugh.
DANCE
Saturday, 10th November at 22h and Sunday, 11th November at 18h at the Cultural Centre, Sant Julià de Lòria. (3€, all of which will go to La Marató de TV3, which this year is devoted to cancer) ’10, 20, 30!’ with La Marató. 10, 20 30! is a journey through these three events: 30 years since the premiere of the History and Legend of Andorra, 20 years since the creation of the Dance of Our Lady of Canòlich and 10 years of artistic direction by Jaume Torra. Performances by: L’Esbart Laurèdia folk dance groups.
EXHIBITION
Until Friday, 16th November in office hours in the lobby of La Llacuna Cultural Centre, Andorra la Vella. Lluís & Gerard Claret: 50 years on stage. These Andorran, identical twin, musicians were born in 1951, the sons of politician Andreu Claret i Casadessús. They have delighted audiences both in Andorra and internationally for 50 years. Lluís Claret, a cellist, has performed with many noted orchestras including the Washington National Symphony, Moscow Philharmonic, National Orchestra of France, English Chamber Orchestra, Hungarian Philharmonic and the Czech Pilamonic. He won first prize at a number of prestigious international competitions. He is a founding member of the
Trio de Barcelona and frequently collaborates with well-known musicians. He teaches at music schools and conservatories and he also regularly participates in the juries of major international competitions.
Gerard Claret, a violinist, studied with Joan Massià and Enric Casals i Defilló and collaborated with Narciso Yepes. He won awards in the Tenuto competitions of the Belgian Radiotelevision and Maria Canals of Barcelona. Since 1979 he has formed a duet with pianist, Josep Maria Escribano. He is a founding member of the Ciutat de Barcelona Quartet and the Numen Quartet. He is also a teacher at the Music School of Barcelona. In 1998 he received the Cross of Saint George. He is the Concert Director of the National Classical Orchestra of Andorra (ONCA). From its inception until 2005, he was the director of the Superior Music School of Catalonia.
CINEMA
Monday, 5th – Thursday, 8th November at 20:10h (except on Tuesday 6th when it’s at 20h) in the Cinemes Illa Carlemany, Escaldes-Engordany. Bohemian Rhapsody. Directed by Bryan Singer. Starring: Rami Malek, Lucy Boynton, Gwilym Lee. The Story: Bohemian Rhapsody is a foot-stomping celebration of Queen, their music
and their extraordinary lead singer Freddie Mercury. Freddie defied stereotypes and shattered convention to become one of the most beloved entertainers on the planet. The film traces the meteoric rise of the band through their iconic songs and revolutionary sound. They reach unparalleled success, but in an unexpected turn Freddie, surrounded by
darker influences, shuns Queen in pursuit of his solo career. Having suffered greatly without the collaboration of Queen, Freddie manages to reunite with his bandmates just in time for Live Aid. While bravely facing a recent AIDS diagnosis, Freddie leads the band in one of the greatest performances in the history of rock music. Queen cements a legacy that continues to inspire outsiders, dreamers and music lovers to this day.
CHILDREN
Monday, 5th November at 18:30h at the Prat del Roure, Escaldes-Engordany. (Free) El drapaire trapella (The cheating rag-and-bone man). Recycling Puppet Show. Pirinenca de Serveis celebrates its 20th anniversary on November 5th, and for this reason, it is organizing a free puppet show on recycling, aimed at children aged 3 – 10.
Friday, 9th November at 17.30h in the public library, Pas de la Casa. A talk in Catalan on Inventors’ International Day: Inventions that have changed the world. Teresa Blanco will present, as if it were a story, different inventions that had a lot of relevance in the life of the people.
Next, Martina Linares will hold a workshop: We manufacture a telephone where the participating children will become inventors and make a very simple phone with the help of plastic cups and a string.
Saturday, 10th November at 10:30h at the Centre d’Art, Escaldes-Engordany. (3€ aimed at children 6 – 11. Register Tel +376 802 255 or [email protected]) Art Saturdays: The masks of James Ensor. The theatre world of James Ensor! The masks of clowns, harlequins and skeletons from his paintings will help us enter the world of emotions. Saturday, 10th November at 11h at the University Public Library, Sant Julià de Lòria. (For children 5 and over. Reservation essential at 744 044 or [email protected].) Storytime in French: Panique à la ferme (panic at the farm), with Terre de Lune.
ANDORRA SHOPPING FESTIVAL 2018. THE EVENTS SEEM ENDLESS!
Street Music, Children’s events, Beauty Moments, Street Art Shopping,
Gastronomy, photographic competition.
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