PICK OF THE WEEK
7th – 11th February, 2018
This is the first week of Carnival and every parish will be arranging many events.
Ask in the nearest tourist office to find out more.
OPERA
TOSCA Wednesday, 7th February at 20.15h at the Cinemes Illa Carlemany, Escaldes-Engordany. Opera direct from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Puccini’s TOSCA. Conducted by Dan Ettinger and Starring Adrianne Pieczonka, Joseph Calleja and Gerald Finley. The Story: The painter Mario Cavaradossi helps a fugitive escape – and so attracts the attention of Scarpia, the sadistic Chief of Police. Scarpia captures Cavaradossi and has him tortured within earshot of his lover, the singer Tosca. Scarpia sentences Cavaradossi to death – but promises Tosca that her lover can be saved if she gives herself to Scarpia. Tosca consents but as soon as the order has been given kills Scarpia. Scarpia’s menace continues even in death: betrayed by a double-cross, Cavaradossi dies and Tosca leaps to her death.
From its strident opening chords, Tosca conjures up a world of political instability and menace. The Chief of Police, Scarpia – one of the most malevolent villains in opera – ruthlessly pursues and tortures enemies of the state. His dark, demonic music contrasts with the expansive melodies of the idealistic lovers, Tosca and Cavaradossi, who express their passion in sublime arias, including ‘Vissi d’arte’ and ‘E lucevan le stelle’. Giacomo Puccini’s dramatic work was a hit with audiences on its 1900 premiere and it remains one of the most performed of all operas – and with its gripping plot and glorious music, it’s easy to see why.
BALLET
Scheherezade & Fragments from Legendary Ballets Friday, 9th February at 21h in the Centre Cultural, Sant Julià de Lòria. Danced by the Saint Petersburg ballet. This year they are offering a programme divided into two parts. In the first part the ballet company present the ballet of Scheherezade based on the story of ‘The thousand and one nights’ about Shakhriar and his brother. In the second part of the Gala, some excerpts from the most famous ballets of classical dance will be presented, such as Nutcracker, Carnaval, Spartacus and Romeo and Juliet.
LOCAL GASTRONOMY
Calçotada i botifarada popular (Calçotada is a very popular delicacy involving char-roasted calçots, best described as small leeks plus botifarda, the popular barbequed sausages.) On Sunday, 11th February at 13.30 at the Carrer de Veedors, Escaldes-Engordany: (Tickets 6€) Attendees will be presented with a commemorative puppet. In the event of bad weather, the Calçotada will be held in the lobby of Prat del Roure, Escaldes-Engordany.
Culturally yours,
Clare
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Look for about the author of the blog Clare Allcard
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