“Barcelona is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe,” writes Frank Kuznik in Monday’s (9/10) Bachtrack.com. But “almost no one comes to hear classical music. ‘Thatʼs what we want to change,’ says Victor Medem … director of Barcelona Obertura, a joint initiative which brings together the city’s most prominent classical music institutions, who had previously engaged in little mutual communication…. The organization has [created] the Barcelona Obertura Spring Festival, scheduled to debut in March next year. For two weeks, major stars like Leif Ove Andsnes, Diana Damrau and Valery Gergiev will fill Barcelona concert halls…. A supplementary schedule of 40 free concerts will introduce audiences to the cityʼs talented young players…. Barcelona … already … boasts … the spectacular Palau de la Música Catalana [and] the Liceu Opera Barcelona…. The Barcelona Symphony Orchestra makes its home at L’Auditori, a sleek modern facility…. Classical music in Barcelona has been hampered … ‘three great institutions … all competing against each other for audiences,’ Medem says…. Medem also worked the business community, emphasizing the advantages of an annual festival that cultural tourists could put on their calendar…. Ultimately, Medem hopes the festival will attract visitors not only in March, but throughout the year.”
Posted September 13, 2018
