The XIV International Music Festival Vila de Santanyí experienced an unforgettable night at Caló d'en Busques with the Cor de la Generalitat Valenciana, soprano Ofelia Sala, and pianist Bartomeu Jaume. The highlight came when the choir mingled with the audience and the soprano departed in a llaüt.
Last Saturday, Caló d'en Busques in Cala Figuera became a dreamlike stage for the XIV edition of the International Music Festival Vila de Santanyí. With tickets sold out, the audience filled the harbour to enjoy 'Música arran de mar', a concert that combined the beauty of the surroundings with artistic excellence. The full moon illuminated the evening as attendees arrived at sunset, creating an atmosphere of peace and anticipation.
An exhilarating finale: the choir among the audience and the soprano in a llaüt
The most thrilling moment of the night came towards the end of the show. Members of the Cor de la Generalitat Valenciana, awarded a Latin Grammy, left the stage and occupied the central aisle among the audience while performing Và pensiero sull’ali dorate by Verdi. Surprise and excitement took hold of the attendees, who found themselves surrounded by the choir's voices.
Meanwhile, soprano Ofelia Sala, who has performed on stages such as the Metropolitan in New York and La Scala in Milan, bid farewell to the stage in the most poetic way possible: aboard a rowing llaüt, slowly disappearing into the waters of the caló while the music resonated in every corner of the harbour. An image that, according to those present, will remain etched in the festival's memory.
A programme that travelled from opera to zarzuela
The concert offered a musical journey from the solemnity of European opera, featuring pieces by Gounod, Wagner, and Verdi, to the liveliness of zarzuela, with titles such as Los Gavilanes and La verbena de la Paloma. The interpretation of the finale from the opera El Castell d'iràs i no tornaràs by composer Jaume Mas Porcel was particularly well-received, marking a commitment to the recovery of Balearic musical heritage.
The Councillor for Culture of Santanyí, Mateu Nadal, was visibly moved at the end of the performance:
“We have experienced a moment that will be etched in the festival's memory. Seeing the Cor de la Generalitat singing among the audience is the image of perfection and surprise we seek in this cycle.”For her part, the Mayor of Santanyí, Maria Pons, highlighted the impact of the event:
“The level of a formation awarded the Latin Grammy like this choir, combined with the natural beauty of Cala Figuera, reaffirms our commitment to continue offering unique experiences to our residents and visitors.”
A festival that consolidates as a cultural reference in the Balearics
With this success, the XIV Vila de Santanyí Music Festival continues its programming, consolidating itself as one of the most significant cultural events in the Balearics. For the residents of Santanyí and visitors, such events not only provide top-level entertainment but also highlight the natural heritage of the municipality, such as the impressive Caló d'en Busques. Those who missed it will have to wait for the next edition, but they are sure to be marking the date in red on their calendars.
The festival demonstrates that quality culture can and should go hand in hand with the natural environment. As someone in the audience said, “there is no better concert hall than a caló illuminated by the moon.”
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