PREVIOUS CONCERTS

"THE TENOR OF THE CENTURY". JONAS KAUFMANN IN CONCERT

This 4th edition will have an event program filled with great moments of inspiration. The Gala Concert will have the participation of an outstanding singer, certainly one of the most acclaimed voices of the moment: the German tenor Jonas Kaufmann.

Together with mezzo-soprano Anita Rachvelishvili, and accompanied by the Orquesta Filarmónica de Gran Canaria, conducted by Karel Mark Chichon, these incomparable artists will present a lyrical gala that will bring to the stage some of the most moving pages of the operatic repertoire, on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at 8:30 p.m. at Santa Catalina, a Royal Hideaway Hotel.

ROBERTO ALAGNA IN CONCERT

«Lyricism and passion»

The most exquisite music once again provides the soundtrack to the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, in the gardens of the emblematic Santa Catalina, a Royal Hideaway Hotel, hand in hand with the celebration of the III Edition of the Santa Catalina Classics classical music festival .
 

Acclaimed by the public and critics as one of the best tenors in history, Roberto Alagna has become one of the great icons of world poetry. The warm timbre of his voice, together with the passion and dramatic force with which he interprets a wide repertoire, become a unique seal of artistic perfection. On this occasion, accompanied by one of the most outstanding symphonic groups of today, the Gran Canaria Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of De Karel Mark Chichon, will address a repertoire that ranges from French lyricism to Italian verismo, with its unmistakable touches. deeply dramatic.

YOUNG TALENTS – JAEDEN IZIK DZURKO

Winner of the Santander International Piano Competition 2022

In addition to having won the highest award at the last Santander International Piano Competition, the young pianist Jaeden Izik Dzurko has recently been awarded in international competitions such as the Hilton Head International Piano Competition and the Maria Canals International Music Competition.

PIANO RECITAL

"Strength and virtuosity"

With his unmistakable style, which combines a deep knowledge of the score with an unlimited dedication to the sound possibilities of his instrument, the Sevillian pianist has been welcomed on the most famous stages in Europe and America.

CHAMBER MUSIC SERIES – FRANCISCO FULLANA AND ALBA VENTURA

"The violin made a poem"

The second recital of the chamber music cycle will be given by the violin and piano duo made up of Francisco Fullana and Alba Ventura. During this evening, Spanish artists will tackle works by Granados, Poulenc, Messiaen, Turina and Sarasate, among others, a demanding and intense repertoire, which will take the listener to the most extreme registers of emotion and poetry.

A sound pairing experience

A different way to enjoy the quality of an excellent wine, its shades and nuances, experimenting and learning about its ancestral link with other arts throughout history.

This special tour will have three stages: a journey through the moments that mark the relationship between wine, music and artistic creation, which will conclude with a musical sample of one of the instruments associated with the ancient god of wine: the aulos; an oenological introduction, in which the particularity of Canarian wines will be revealed, a grape that is unique in the world; and a wine tasting with instrumental music performance, which will allow us to perceive, through the "sound pairing", the most hidden nuances of the grape and enjoy the synaesthesia with the sounds.

JUAN DIEGO FLÓREZ - OVIEDO PHILARMONY - CHRISTOPHER FRANKLIN

"A Unique Voice"

Acclaimed by the international press as one of the most important tenors of the 21st century, Juan Diego Flórez has become an icon of Belcanto, as well as a multifaceted artist, whose figure combines technical perfection, interpretative expression and the scenic charisma.

 Together with the renowned Spanish orchestra Oviedo Filarmonía, one of the symphonic groups with the greatest international projection and under the baton of maestro Christopher Franklin, he will make the gardens of Santa Catalina, a Royal Hideaway Hotel, vibrate, covering with his voice the most exciting pages of the repertoire lyrical from the 19th century, a true journey to the heart of the bel canto style.

ALEXEI VOLODIN, PIANO

"A poet of the piano"

With notes charged with drama, emotion and monumentality, Alexei Volodin presents a recital dedicated to some of the most representative pieces of the 19th century romantic repertoire.

The pianist, who has collaborated with some of the most important orchestras in Europe and America, under the baton of maestros such as Valery Gergiev, offers the
auditorium his interpretation of masterpieces, including Chopin's Fantasia in F minor and the famous Polonaise-Fantaisie, as well as Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition.

CHAMBER CYCLE - LETICIA MORENO, VIOLIN; FELIPE AGUIRRE, PIANO

"The Soul of the Violin"

Leticia Moreno is one of the most outstanding violinists of her generation. After the release of his third album with the legendary Deutsche Grammophon, he has ratified his excellent interpretative qualities, as well as his deep commitment to the musical work.

On this occasion, together with the pianist and conductor Felipe Aguirre, he will address the famous Kreutzersonata, by L. van Beethoven, the Seven popular Spanish songs, by M. de Falla, as well as the virtuoso Tzigane, by M. Ravel. Through these works, as contrasting as they are complementary, the public will be able to enjoy one of the most outstanding qualities of the Spanish violinist: her ability to "speak" through the instrument, to "express" the soul through its sounds.

A sound pairing experience

A different way of enjoying the quality of an excellent wine, its shades and nuances, experiencing and learning about its ancestral link with other arts throughout history.

This special tour will have three stages: a journey through the moments that mark the relationship between wine, music and artistic creation, which will conclude with a musical display of the instruments associated with the ancient god of wine: aulos, tympanon and kymbala; an oenological introduction, in which the particularity of Canarian wines will be revealed, a unique grape in the world; and a wine tasting with instrumental music performance, which will allow us to perceive, through "sound pairing", the most hidden nuances of the grape and enjoy synesthesia with sounds.

Mahler Chamber Orchestra - Gustavo Dudamel Conductor - The Power of Genius

Acclaimed by international critics and welcomed as an international star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Gustavo Dudamel has established himself as today's most important and influential conductor. Under his baton, two of the most important works of the symphonic repertoire of the 19th century will be performed. The orchestra in charge of making the gardens of the Santa Catalina, a Royal Hideaway Hotel, resound will be the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, an ensemble that combines enthusiasm with experience, and which for more than three decades has been enthusiastically received by audiences and critics alike.

OLGA SYNIAKOVA - MEZZO-SOPRANO IHOR VOIEVODIN - BARITONE FELIPE AGUIRRE- PIANO

There is nothing better than a lyric recital to appreciate, in a natural setting, the magic of the voice. On this occasion, the mezzo-soprano Olga Syniakova and the baritone Ihor Voievodin, who in their ascending career have already triumphed on stages such as the Palau de les Arts, or the Dnipro Opera Theatre, will delight the audience with a programme made up of some of the most famous opera arias and duets, such as the famous "Mon coeur s'ouvre à ta voix", by Camille Saint-Saëns, and Mozart's "Là ci darem la mano". Through this recital, and in line with the scholarship awarded by the Barcelo Hotel Group to Olga Syniakova within the framework of collaboration with the Fundación Albéniz, the Festival Santa Catalina Classics reaffirms its commitment to support the new generations of emerging artists and young talents of classical music.

DMYTRO CHONI - "Virtuosity and poetry" - PIANO

The young Ukrainian pianist Dmytro Choni, a great promise on the world piano scene, has not only performed as a soloist with numerous European and American orchestras, but has been acclaimed as First Prize and Gold Medal Winner at the Santander International Piano Competition, Paloma O'Shea, 2018. In the present recital, he will tackle works of great technical complexity, in a repertoire ranging from the piano poetry of Debussy, with selections from his work Images, to the virtuosity and melancholic depth of Rachmaninov, with his famous Sonata No. 2, in B flat minor.

Musical talks by Felipe Aguirre - Artistic Director of the Santa Catalina Classics festival

Graduating with honors from the Vienna Conservatory, he began his international career as a conductor in 1998 with the Cape Town Philharmonic. He was named honorary conductor of the Schwechat Orchester-Verein (Lower Austria), as well as Head of the Schönbrunner Kappelle in Vienna. Likewise, both in Europe and in America, he has given concerts leading orchestras such as the Kammer-Philharmonie (Hungary), the Pressburger Symphoniker (Slovakia), the Spokane Symphony (USA), the Balearic Islands Symphony (Spain) and the Innsbrucker Symphoniker . (Austria). Since 2010 he has been a professor of Musicology, Musical Interpretation and Chamber Music at the Conservatory of the Balearic Islands, and has been guest conductor of more than thirty symphony orchestras in Europe, Asia and America.

A sound pairing experience

A different way of enjoying the quality of an excellent wine, its shades and nuances, experiencing and learning about its ancestral link with other arts throughout history. This special tour will have three stages: a brief oenological introduction, in which the particularity of Canarian wines will be revealed, a unique grape in the world; a wine tasting with instrumental music performance , which will allow us to perceive, through "sound pairing", the most hidden nuances of the grape; and, finally, a talk-recital entitled "Dionysus and divine inspiration": a journey through the moments that mark the relationship between wine, music and artistic creation, which will conclude with a musical sample of the instruments associated with the ancient god of wine: aulos, tympanon and kymbala.

The best of classical Piano

BALEARIC ISLANDS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA FELIPE AGUIRRE - CONDUCTOR

Considered by critics as one of the most promising pianists in the world.

Juan Pérez Floristán has been acclaimed for his interpretations full of musicality and virtuosity.

After winning the Santander International Piano Competition "Paloma O'Shea" in 2015, his promising career has recently led him to perform at the prestigious London Proms, where he shared the legendary stage of the Royal Albert Hall with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor Ben Gernon. In the Gala Concert that he will offer at the Formentor Sunset Classics - a venue that has accompanied his artistic rise since the beginning - you will hear a careful selection of some of the most representative works for piano and orchestra by Beethoven, Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky, Ravel and Gershwin: a unique moment to let yourself be infected by the charisma and enthusiasm of a true poet of the piano.

FORMENTOR SUNSET CLASSICS - TEATRO REAL

The Formentor Sunset Classics and the Teatro Real present, in a co-production, one of the greatest phenomena in the history of the piano, who brings together youth, impetus, brilliant technique and a special originality in his performance: the Chinese pianist Lang Lang. On this new occasion, in which the festival moves its Formentor Sunset Experience to the legendary opera stage in Madrid, we will hear works by Beethoven, among other composers.

To let oneself be carried away by the sounds of the piano, from the hand of one of the great musical geniuses of our century, is to enter a distant and apparently inaccessible world: that of inspiration.

PIANO RECITAL

The Portuguese pianist Maria João Pires has captivated her audiences thanks to the sensitivity, authenticity and inspiration of her interpretations. With her incomparable style, full of lyricism and depth, she always manages on stage to give voice to the essence of music: that combination of sounds that comes to life through her hands, illuminating the silence like a clear and direct ray on a transparent canvas. The programme she will offer, surrounded by the idyllic gardens of the Formentor at the Royal Hideaway Hotel, will bring together some of the most emblematic pieces by Beethoven, Mozart and Chopin; three composers who, without a doubt, have profoundly marked the career of this great artist of our century.

LETICIA MORENO PUTS HER VIOLIN AT THE SERVICE OF TANGO

"I'm really looking forward to getting to that magical place, I think we're all going to be very happy there". This is how excited violinist Leticia Moreno was before the concert that opened the 2018-2019 season of the Formentor Sunset Classics Festival on May 26th. Accompanied by the Quintet "Proyecto Tango Nuevo" - formed by Claudio Constantini on bandoneon, José Gallardo on piano, Uxia Martínez on double bass and Anneleen Lenaerts on harp - Leticia Moreno offered a musical journey around tango in a truly impressive setting.

This musical bet was explained by Felipe Aguirre, artistic director of the Festival: "The project with which we have opened this festival tries to update what was the tango revolution that involved with his work the Argentine Piazzolla, who gave a new air in this style". A musical style that is rooted in the origins of Formentor, a Royal Hideaway Hotel, which was born in 1929 as a result of the determination, vision and dreams of the Argentinean Adan Diehl, and which Moreno fell in love with as soon as he met Piazzolla. "His music has an incredible complexity and depth, which at the same time he distils so that it is so direct, so beautiful and so easy to listen to without being simple, but rather the other way around", explained the violinist.

That is why the program was designed precisely to delve into the composers, the works, that marked not only Piazzolla's music but also his life and his character and that led him to create this unique and revolutionary message.

With this letter of introduction, the violinist from Madrid let herself be accompanied by great musicians to fill the bay of Formentor with legendary figures such as Bach, Vivaldi, Bartok, Ginastera and Piazzolla himself, all at the service of tango.

THE GREATEST SOPRANO OF THE CENTURY, ANNA NETREBKO, AND THE TENOR YUSIF EYVAZOV ENCHANTED THE AUDIENCE OF FORMENTOR SUNSET CLASSICS WITH THEIR VOICES.

Anna Netrebko, recently consecrated by the international press as the greatest soprano of the 21st century, has taken the stage of Formentor Sunset Classics this afternoon to close the concerts that have taken place in Formentor, a Royal Hideaway Hotel during the VI edition. Her extraordinary vocal technique, together with the great stage charisma and dramatic force that characterize her, combined in one of the most privileged voices in the history of opera. On this occasion, she has performed in an opera gala together with the tenor Yusif Eyvazov, another great exponent of the operatic repertoire who has reaped great success in his international career. Together these voices, under the spell of the sunset over the Bay of Formentor, performed arias and duets by composers such as Verdi, Puccini and Mascagni: a true delight for the senses.

Both voices, who have performed under the baton of conductor Michelangelo Mazza, have been accompanied by the Orquesta Sinfónica de las Islas Baleares, one of the symphonic references in Spain.

JUAN PEREZ FLORISTÁN THRILLS THE AUDIENCE OF FORMENTOR SUNSET CLASSICS WITH A MOVING CONCERT

Anna Netrebko, recently consecrated by the international press as the greatest soprano of the 21st century, has taken the stage of Formentor Sunset Classics this afternoon to close the concerts that have taken place in Formentor, a Royal Hideaway Hotel during the VI edition. Her extraordinary vocal technique, together with the great stage charisma and dramatic force that characterize her, combined in one of the most privileged voices in the history of opera. On this occasion, she has performed in an opera gala together with the tenor Yusif Eyvazov, another great exponent of the operatic repertoire who has reaped great success in his international career. Together these voices, under the spell of the sunset over the Bay of Formentor, performed arias and duets by composers such as Verdi, Puccini and Mascagni: a true delight for the senses.

Both voices, who have performed under the baton of conductor Michelangelo Mazza, have been accompanied by the Orquesta Sinfónica de las Islas Baleares, one of the symphonic references in Spain.

VIOLA PLAYER ISABEL VILLANUEVA AND PIANIST FRANÇOIS DUMONT THRILLED THE AUDIENCE AT FORMENTOR SUNSET CLASSICS

On August 10th the festival Formentor Sunset Classics closed its Chamber Cycle with the viola Isabel Villanueva who, together with the pianist François Dumont, interpreted "The soft accents of the viola", a warm and intimate instrument whose sound register is capable of expressing the deepest emotions and nuances of the human soul.

This repertoire, which the artists chose especially to perform at Formentor, gave the concert a warmth that, in the words of Villanueva, "created a very special connection between the audience, the music and nature". An inspiring link that is of personal importance to both artists, who were grateful to be part of the 6th edition of Formentor Sunset Classics and its surroundings: "belonging to this project means a level of excellence in terms of the quality of the artists with whom we are lucky enough to share the bill and the exquisiteness of the setting, which is a dream, to be able to make music by the sea in such an inspiring setting is extraordinary", said the viola player minutes before taking the stage.

DUDAMEL AND THE VIENNA PHILHARMONIC COMBINE MODERNITY AND TRADITION IN A UNIQUE CONCERT

The youngest conductor to conduct the New Year's concert with the Vienna Philharmonic was precisely the one in charge of closing, for the first time away from Mallorca, the Formentor Sunset Classics Festival. On this occasion, it was the Teatro Real in Madrid that hosted Gustavo Dudamel. "I am thrilled to conduct in such a classical theatre, which holds acoustic mysteries that modern spaces do not", explained the Venezuelan at the press conference beforehand, in which he acknowledged his enthusiasm for what for him would be his debut at the Teatro Real.

It was his first time on this stage, but not with the Vienna Philharmonic. In his extensive experience, despite his youth, this maestro has met this legendary orchestra on several occasions. That is why this concert had that enriching character that comes from combining a young conductor, brimming with naturalness and talent, who champions modernity in classical music with a historic orchestra, recognised as one of the best in the world, which is about to celebrate its bicentenary and which is capable of intimidating anyone with its impressive explosions of sound.

This was precisely what they demonstrated from the beginning of the concert, with the introverted Viennese darkness of the Adagio from Mahler's unfinished Symphony No. 10, to continue, after the interval, with Berlioz's vital and expansive Symphonie Fantastique. An impressive sensorial journey between different shores, brilliantly commanded by maestro Dudamel.

Bernstein's Divertimento Waltz and Josef Strauss's Winterlust polka closed a unique concert in which the conductor even allowed himself to joke with the audience when he started the notes of the Divertimento, faithful to that close and extroverted temperament that characterizes the Venezuelan.

A show that united a true "musical genius" according to National Geographic magazine with one of the best orchestras in the world in a new environment but as extraordinary as the original. What better finale than this.

THE PENULTIMATE CONCERT OF FORMENTOR SUNSET CLASSICS, BY THE POWERFUL VOICE OF OLGA PERETYATKO-MARIOTTI

The Russian soprano conquered the stage of Formentor Sunset Classics on the shores of a hypnotic Mediterranean, performing true gems of the lyrical repertoire.

In this final stretch of one of the most prestigious and beautiful festivals of classical music, Peretyatko-Mariotti has brought the curtain down on an evening of enormous musical quality where the coloraturas of her powerful voice flowed together with the harmonies of Mozart, Offenbach or Donizzetti.

Before taking the stage open to the sea, the artist declared: "I feel really privileged to be part of the festival, as it is a beautiful stage with an amazing history. Belonging to Formentor Sunset Classics makes me very happy and I think the audience can feel this". A few minutes later, her amazing vocal range starred in one of the most exciting evenings of this emblematic festival.

From high registers to impossible flourishes, passing through harmonious turns that kept the audience in suspense, Olga Peretyatko-Mariotti performed pieces such as the aria O mio babbino caro, by Puccini, and the famous Ave Maria, by Caccini, which showed why this consecrated artist is one of the best sopranos of the century.

In the vibrant Mediterranean flavour of one of Mallorca's best-preserved beaches, the Formentor Sunset Clasics brings together internationally acclaimed and emerging artists in the gardens of Formentor, a Royal Hideaway Hotel. A treat for the senses, which are not only overwhelmed by unparalleled lyrical interpretations, but also delight in the views of the turquoise sea and the sunset over the Sierra de la Tramuntana.

DUO DEL VALLE FORMENTOR SUNSET CLASSICS 2017

DUO CASSADÓ INAUGURATED THE CHAMBER CYCLE OF THE 5TH EDITION OF THE FESTIVAL FORMENTOR SUNSET CLASSICS

Marta Moll (piano) and Damian Martínez (cello), two of the most promising instrumentalists of their generation, performed a program based on true classics of the cello literature, a proposal that according to Damian "goes through the whole musical imaginary of Spanish popular music" and was composed by pieces such as the Sonata "Arpeggione" (by F. Schubert) and the "Adagio und allegro" (R. Schumann), as well as works by two great Spanish composers: Gaspar Cassadó and Ernesto Halffter. Schubert) and the "Adagio und allegro" (by R. Schumann), as well as works by two great Spanish composers: Gaspar Cassadó and Ernesto Halffter. The evening closed with an energetic and festive finale, the Grand Tango by the Argentinian Astor Piazzolla.

During the moments before the concert, the pianist, excited to get on the stage in front of the sea that has hosted concerts and recitals of the greatest geniuses of classical music, declared "being part of the Formentor Sunset Classics festival is a privilege, not only for sharing the bill with great artists, but for the history that surrounds the hotel and has always been linked to artistic creation". For his part, Damian highlighted the natural setting that surrounds the concert, "making music in an environment like this is really very special, the Mediterranean Sea and this beautiful vegetation make it a unique place. In addition to the silence, where we can really listen to nature and be away from the usual hustle and bustle to which we are accustomed.

TWO OF THE BEST VOICES OF OPERA MERGE TO INAUGURATE THE V SEASON OF FORMENTOR SUNSET CLASSICS

The Formentor Sunset Classics stage, on the shores of the Mediterranean, has once again raised the curtain welcoming its V Edition. For the occasion, two of the most important names of the classical scene have been in charge of inaugurating a season full of magic: the tenor Roberto Alagna and the acclaimed soprano Aleksandra Kurzak. Both merged with the sea breeze in arias and opera duets full of lyricism and energy in the most iconic hotel in Mallorca: Formentor, a Royal Hideaway Hotel.

On his arrival at the hotel, during the meeting with the media that preceded the concert, the tenor confessed: "for me, performing on the spectacular stage of Formentor, surrounded by sea and sun, is like singing in paradise". For her part, the soprano Aleksandra Kurzak added "Formentor Sunset Classics is a beautiful festival in an incredible setting, so we are really happy to have the opportunity to inaugurate this edition".

The select audience experienced the transformation of the characters, who mutated their roles from aria to aria, from duet to duet, in almost operatic performances. A journey through different and famous lyric styles and stories, and even through popular Hispanic songs. A unique performance during which the natural environment put the singers to the test, turning the Mediterranean wind into a dramatic element of the scenography, and endowing the voices and characters with a titanic interpretative beauty and strength. Aleksandra Kurzak seemed to fly with her powerful voice through the veils of her dress, while Roberto took great musical risks with ease and veteran skill.

Two stars united by the harmony of song have brought the magic of the Formentor Sunset Classics to life once again this year with a majestic concert that inaugurates a memorable edition.

THE VOICE OF AINHOA ARTETA SEALS THE LAST CONCERT OF THE SEASON

The most charismatic Soprano of her generation and a reference of the lyric art at international level was the protagonist of the last concert of the 2016 season. The day before, in an exclusive meeting with the media, the singer said: "Artists must listen to our voice, what our voice likes. And my voice likes Puccini. He is a composer in which my voice feels comfortable and grows with generosity and without any kind of obligation".

The emotional concert, requested in two parts, began with a spectacular Ainhoa Arteta as Georges Bizet's Carmen. Her vehement expressiveness enhanced her singing, which delved into the most heartbreaking sentiments of the program, traveling from Bizet to Puccini to Mascagni. "Sola, perduta, abbandonata" was the dramatic finale to 45 minutes of intensity and opera in the natural setting of Formentor, for which the artist had only words of enthusiasm: "I am a great advocate of doing concerts in natural settings like this, this place is wonderful and this festival is simply exquisite".

The second part, which began with a tribute to Enrique Granados on the 100th anniversary of his death, focused on Zarzuela, and gave magical gifts to the audience such as Out of Africa, by John Barry. A dedicated and theatrical Ainhoa Arteta brought out the smiles of the audience, to whom she transmitted all her love for music in the purest form, touching them.

The finishing touch, for an audience that ended on its feet, were two masterful encores, O Mio Babbino Caro and La Misión. Bravo.

THREE GRAMMIES ILLUMINATED THE BAY OF FORMENTOR

Hilary Hahn, mentioned by Classic FM experts as one of the greatest violinists of all time, thrilled the audience of Formentor Sunset Classics in her only concert in Spain on September 1st.

The same day the artist, winner of three Grammy Awards, explained at a press conference: "I have been playing since I was 13 years old a violin created by Jean Baptiste Vuillaume, it has grown with me, it is the instrument I have played in all my albums and I feel very attached to it", and in that same presentation to the media, Hahn, who has recorded 15 albums, said: "I think it will be a wonderful experience for the audience, because this stage is to be both in a concert and in the middle of nature. It's an honor for me to be here, it's a beautiful location".

Arturo Reverter, music critic for La Razón and Scherzo wrote "From the exposition of the first theme, the sound of the instrument came to us soft and expressive, on graceful scrolls". And so it did, thrilling the audience accompanied by a first-class symphonic ensemble, the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Jirí Belohlávek, performing Leos Janacek's Suite for String Orchestra, Mozart's Concerto No. 5 and Dvorák's Czech Suite in D Major, Op. 39.

The concert, which did not lack the encores, ended with a Giga by Bach and the Pizzicato Polka by Strauss played only by the orchestra. An apotheosis ending for a prodigious experience that could also be followed live through the hotel's social networks. A novel way to share with all the followers of the Festival and the Artist a fragment of the concert that took place during the most spectacular sunset one can imagine, Formentor.

VIBRANT STRING ENSEMBLE

The Quiroga Quartet has starred in the second concert of the Festival Formentor Sunset Classics 2016. Its members, Helena Poggio (cello), Josep Puchades (viola), Cibrán Sierra (violin) and Aitor Hevia (violin) have masterfully performed the string quartet Op. 20 No. 4 by Haydn and the string quartet Op. 51 No. 1 by Brahms.

They themselves explained the choice of the program: "We consider Haydn the father of the quartet. He wrote a great many quartets during his lifetime and experimented with creating truly unique musical universes, full of humour, wit, daring and audacity, which represented a new model".

Regarding the second author, Helena said: "Brahms wrote three quartets, three absolute jewels; in Formentor Sunset Classics we have performed the first of them, harmonically sophisticated and of an overwhelming formal and structural perfection. It is eternal music, marvellous... universal".

In statements prior to the concert the Quartet also wanted to emphasize that "This is the best stage where we have ever played, an idyllic setting where time seems to stand still. The union of such a spectacular natural space with such a high quality musical programme makes this an incomparable event". His participation in this edition, as well as that of the young pianist Juan Pérez Floristán on July 16th, has been possible thanks to the collaboration agreement between Fundación Albéniz and Barceló Hotel Group for the support of young talents.

At the end of the concert we were able to attend an encore rooted in the idea of the link between traditional music and more elaborate music. A surprising interpretation arranged for strings by themselves and inspired by the work they are doing for their next album, which they plan to release in spring 2017.

STRENGTH AND PASSION AT THE PIANO

The young piano genius Juan Pérez Floristán, winner of the First Prize and Gold Medal of the Audience Award at the XVIII Santander International Piano Competition "Paloma O'Shea" (2015), opened last Saturday 16th July the IV edition of the classical music festival Formentor Sunset Classics, with an exciting piano recital that left no one indifferent.

Pérez Floristán, happy and excited to take the stage at Formentor, which has already hosted concerts and recitals by the greatest geniuses of classical music, such as the Chinese pianist Lang Lang, said: "In a natural setting like the Barceló Formentor, playing in the open air and in front of the sea is the ultimate, the ultimate experience. If you put Hilary Hahn, Ainhoa Arteta and the Quiroga Quartet on the same bill, the result is an explosion of talent, a boost for any artist. What more could you ask for? ”.

Music runs through his veins, and his own mother, María Floristán, was his mentor for more than ten years. His father, the orchestra conductor Juan Luis Pérez, has also contributed his grain of splendour to the young man, who took to the Mallorcan stage to dazzle the audience in the first concert of the season, in which he participated thanks to the collaboration agreement between Fundación Albéniz and Barceló Hotel Group for the support of young talents.

Before his intimate recital, the audience enjoyed a Master Class given by the Artistic Director of the festival, Felipe Aguirre, about the program and prepared the audience to appreciate more intensely the works performed by the artists.

"Beethoven moves me to discover things. He is a revolutionary figure, so brilliant and groundbreaking that one always finds in his creations things that continue to surprise him". About Liszt's Sonata, which thrilled the audience when played with such passion, the young man confessed "it is an odyssey, 30 minutes of fireworks, a vital experience. One ends up exhausted, empty but very comforted".

As a great novelty this year, the festival has acquired a powerful online dimension, through its website, www.formentorsunsetclassics.com, and its profiles on Social Networks, Facebook, and Instagram, thanks to which fans of the hotel can enjoy the latest news of the festival and exclusive and unpublished content, including excerpts from the concerts in streaming, for those who want to enjoy the most charming moments of the Mediterranean.

During the moments before the concert, the pianist, excited to get on the stage in front of the sea that has hosted concerts and recitals of the greatest geniuses of classical music, declared "being part of the Formentor Sunset Classics festival is a privilege, not only for sharing the bill with great artists, but for the history that surrounds the hotel and has always been linked to artistic creation". For his part, Damian highlighted the natural setting that surrounds the concert, "making music in an environment like this is really very special, the Mediterranean Sea and this beautiful vegetation make it a unique place. In addition to the silence, where we can really listen to nature and be away from the usual hustle and bustle to which we are accustomed.

EXQUISITE PERFORMANCE BY BARITONE THOMAS HAMPSON

Considered one of the most renowned contemporary baritones of the moment for his stage charisma, vocal and artistic quality, Thomas Hampson closed the 2015 edition on October 8th with a performance that shone with all its strength, captivating the audience from the beginning to the end.

American-born Hampson regularly performs at major opera houses in the U.S. and Europe where to date she has enjoyed an international career as an opera singer and recording artist, as well as maintaining an active interest in musical research, education and outreach. Her extensive discography includes several prestigious international awards and prizes: a Grammy Award, five Edison Awards and the Grand Prix du Disque.

He had never been to Mallorca before and said in a meeting with the media the day before his concert that Formentor is a place with "a magical atmosphere and a wonderful ambience", and joked that his greatest challenge would be to be "focused on his voice and not on the landscape that surrounds this natural setting".

For his performance, together with the Orquesta Sinfónica de Baleares conducted by Felipe Aguirre, the baritone wanted to be personally involved in the elaboration of the programme and for it to "tell stories" with understandable and entertaining pieces. His selection included works by Mozart, Verdi, Massenet, Lehár and Bernstein, as well as excerpts from musicals by Cole Porte. A full program that began with a solemn introduction of the genius of Salzburg and gradually moved through the history of the musical to some of the standard repertoire of American popular music of the last century making the audience vibrate in all the pieces.

At the end of his performance he thanked the warm ovation giving an exquisite encore and interpreting the famous song "Night and Day" by Cole Porter. A unique moment to end the III edition of a festival that year after year is accumulating successes and unforgettable experiences.

A VIOLIN WITH PROJECTION THRILLS IN FORMENTOR

This III edition will be remembered for the exciting violin and piano recital offered by two figures of great projection in a new commitment of Barceló Formentor to link maturity and youth in classical music. Ana María Valderrama, recognized as one of the best violinists in Spain, along with pianist Luis del Valle performed works by Schuman, Saint-Saëns, Sarasate, Dubois and Chopin.

Immensely grateful to participate in this initiative of the Barceló Group, hand in hand with the Albéniz Foundation and the Escuela Superior de Música Reina Sofía (of which both are alumni and where they met, they are married), Valderrama commented "is an honor to play in festivals with top level artists such as Maestro Daniel Barenboim, or Dama Kiri Te Kanawa", and "....it is fundamental this type of initiatives like the ones organized in this hotel for us and especially in the social situation we are living".

At the recital, which took place at sunset in the exclusive gardens of the Barceló Formentor hotel, the audience was able to enjoy the dedication of this duo and their touching relationship between the two instruments, to the point of intermingling and "reaching the essence and the heart of the music", as Luis del Valle said before the concert, describing what they seek and what motivates them when they play together.

The new stage, specially designed to host these new events with young talents, with a smaller capacity and a more intimate setting, managed to connect the audience from the first moment with the music and the paradisiacal surroundings of this corner of the Mediterranean.

A brilliant performance that has made it possible, for the first time at Formentor Sunset Classics, to combine a line-up with established musicians and great promises destined to join the former in the future.

MAGICAL PIANO RECITAL BY LANG LANG UNDER THE PINES OF FORMENTOR

The great current star of classical piano inaugurated this III edition of the festival reviving the magic of this place where the notes of his music mingled between the pine forest in front of the sea of Formentor while the audience witnessed the sunset.

410 privileged people, a record number of attendees to date, were able to enjoy the only recital that the pianist offered this year in Spain and for two hours, the great emblem of the Chinese strength in classical music, exhibited his mastery with a program that started with "The Seasons" by Tchaikovsky (one for each month of the year) in a relaxed manner with his usual swinging his arms up and down and with his head back and looking at the landscape in the most romantic passages; followed with Bach's "Italian Concerto" underlining with vigour the contrapuntal interplay of the piece; and after the intermission with nightfall Lang culminated in a state of introspection and sensitivity with some extraordinary "Four scherzos" by Chopin, one of his favourite composers.

Completely immersed in the music as he said during the press conference prior to the concert: "I am convinced that in Formentor Sunset Classics I will play differently thanks to the inspiration of this place ...it is more spectacular than I expected" he gave himself to his interpretation and exhibited another of the principles he exposed during his presentation: "A good pianist is a good communicator".

To finish and before a brief encore, Lang Lang addressed the audience to thank them for the applause and the opportunity to perform in the gardens of the Barceló Formentor hotel with an idyllic setting and a weather that in his words "is like heaven".

Daniel Barenboim leaves his soul at the piano

The II Edition of Formentor Sunset Classics 2014 kicks off with an experience difficult to repeat: in what was his only piano recital in Spain this year, Daniel Barenboim, after the three sonatas of the exclusive Schubert program (No. 4 in A minor, D537; No. 13 in A major, D 664 and No. 17 in D major, "Gasteiner" D 850), pieces that Barenboim himself describes as "real treasures", the maestro responded to the warmth and quality of the audience by giving an interpretation of Chopin in a clear homage to Mallorca because of his links with the island.

The two pieces were Nocturne, and, after the final applause, a masterly performance of Ballade No. 1, something very unusual for an encore given its technical complexity, which denoted Daniel Barenboim's involvement in the recital. In the press conference prior to the concert, he already said that he was looking forward to the event, especially because of the comments of the person who preceded him in the first edition of Formentor Sunset Classics: "My friend Zubin Mehta has told me that it is a magnificent place".

In addition, thanks to the transparent backdrop located in the gardens of the Barceló Formentor, facing the sea, the sunset became a spectacular backdrop in one of the most privileged natural places in Mallorca.

With a new success, in charge of Maestro Daniel Barenboim, Formentor Sunset Classics becomes one more year in the epicenter of the music of first international figures and gives continuity to this musical event as very exclusive meetings that guarantee its special character and of the highest level in the Mediterranean.

DAMA KIRI TE KANAWA CLOSES THE II EDITION WITH ABSOLUTE SUCCESS

Exciting, overwhelming, unrepeatable. This is how Kiri Te Kanawa's performance could be described, the maximum exponent of glamour in an opera singer, who filled the Barceló Formentor with her supreme voice and her imposing presence.

An exclusive event by all means, because since her retirement from opera in 2004, Te Kanawa only performs in a dozen concerts a year. This fact, together with the stage and its natural setting facing the sea, was one of the main attractions for the 350 attendees who had the privilege of feeling the magic of her voice.

The New Zealand soprano with the Orquesta Simfònica de les Illes Balears,

conducted by Robin Stapleton, seduced the audience by interpreting one of his favorite composers: Mozart and transformed the works of Joseph Canteloube and Giacomo Puccini, among others, into a balm for the senses.

A very exclusive concert where you could enjoy one of the great voices in a very different way and certainly much more intimate and special: outdoors in front of the sea, in the gardens of the hotel and while the sun was setting.

For the 2015 edition, Formentor Sunset Classics joins forces with the prestigious Albéniz Foundation to enhance the level of an initiative of which it is difficult to find a similar precedent.

BARCELÓ FORMENTOR VIBRATES WITH THE MAGIC OF MAESTRO ZUBIN MEHTA

300 lucky people have enjoyed an unrepeatable event: the concert conducted by one of the most important batons in the world has filled the bay of Formentor with the music of Beethoven.

Spectacular, unique, unrepeatable, exciting. Such was the event that took place at the Barceló Formentor: Maestro Zubin Mehta conducted the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino Orchestra (Florence) in a sensational concert in front of the sea, which is part of the cultural project Formentor Sunset Classics.

The Indian conductor (Bombay, 1936), delighted the 300 attendees who filled the available capacity with a concert that honored the name of the initiative and began with the sunset, and that has been composed of two fundamental pieces of the work of Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 6 in F major, op. 68 "Pastoral" and Symphony No. 3 in E flat major, op. 55 "Heroic".

"The hotel most closely linked to the arts thus became the loudspeaker of music flooding this privileged enclave located in the north of Mallorca.

Son of Mehli Mehta (founder of the Bombay Symphony Orchestra), his rise as a conductor was meteoric, with a succession of tenures in the most prestigious orchestras. His great versatility with which he breathes life into any repertoire, from classicism to the most intricate contemporary scores, and his spectacular and highly personal way of conducting, made him one of the favourite conductors of music lovers.

Thus, the success of the Zubin Mehta event in Mallorca represents the consolidation of the cultural initiative Formentor Sunset Classics, whose programme kicked off on the 22nd of June with "La epopeya rusa", a tribute to classical Russia by one of the most acclaimed Russian conductors and head of the Mikhailovsky Theatre of Saint Petersburg, maestro Mihkail Tatarnikov.

THE RUSSIAN EPIC INTERPRETED BY MIKHAIL TATARNIKOV

Maestro Mikhail Tatarnikov, Principal Conductor of the prestigious Mikhailovsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, considered one of the leading figures of classical music in Russia, inaugurated on June 22, 2013 in the gardens of the hotel facing the sea, the cultural project Formentor Sunset Classics with the concert The Russian Epic.

At a press conference Tatarnikov confessed that the interpretation of Alexander Nevsky "has a very important meaning for me", for everything that meant the projection of this film during his childhood in the former Soviet Union. "Before starting to study music I already knew very well both the film and the music of Prokofiev", he added.

The performance brought together a total of 80 musicians, on stage the mezzo-soprano Irina Shishkova, the musicians of the Orquestra Simfònica de les Illes Balears "Ciutat de Palma", the Cor de la Generalitat Valenciana, conducted by Larisa Gergieva and the projection of the film "Alexander Nevsky", by Pier Alli, together with the soundtrack composed by S ergei Prokofiev conducted and performed by Maestro Mikhail Tatarnikov.

The concert lasted an hour and consisted of two parts. It began with Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet and after a brief pause came the main course of the evening: the soundtrack that Prokofiev composed for the film Alexander Nevsky.

Proof of the success of this first edition were the mentions in the media the following days: "Memorable appointment in the gardens of the Barceló Formentor" Fuera de Serie; "Great tribute to classical Russia" Expansión, "Fantastic, almost idyllic" RNE; "An incomparable setting" COPE; "A unique concert" Diario de Mallorca and "Greening the cultural dream" El Mundo.