by Brenda Padilla
For more than half a century this amazing festival of international music and dance has brought some of the world’s best musicians and dance performers to Granada bringing the city’s top venues to life.
Symphonic orchestras take over the Carlos V Palace; Spanish and modern dance as well as ballet performances are held in the Generalife gardens and recitals take place in the Alhambra’s Arrayanes Patio. Concerts are also held in churches and other monumental buildings throughout Granada and flamenco shows in the Albaicín and Sacromonte neighbourhoods liven up the nights following the festival’s scheduled performances.
This annual festival offers visitors the chance to see Granada transform itself into an endless stage graced by ancient music, chamber and symphony performances and local flamenco.
The 2009 International Music and Dance Festival in Granada runs from June 26 to July 14 and will take place at various prominent venues throughout the city. Numerous exhibitions complement the festival and every year the International Manuel de Falla Workshops provide advanced training for music and dance professionals from around the planet.
The International Music and Dance Festival of Granada has its roots in a Cante Jondo flamenco singing contest that was held at the Carlos V Palace beginning in 1883. In 1922 the contest was held at the Alhambra Aljibes and Federico García Lorca attended along with other prestigious Spaniards including Manuel de Falla and Ramón Gómez de la Serna. The festival as we know it today was inaugurated in 1952 and since then has grown into one of the most important music festivals in Spain.
The 57th edition of the Festival Internacional de Música y Danza de Granada 2008 posted the following performers in the programme:
- Spain’s National Orchestra
- Uri Cane Jazz Ensemble
- Cullberg Ballet
- New World Symphony (with Porgy and Bess)
- Fernando Espí
- La Familia Garcia
- The Petersen Quartett
- Eva Yerbabuena Flamenco Ballet
Ticket prices ranged from 15 to 60 euros with concerts held both day and night and periodic children’s festivals taking place with special performances designed to captivate the youngest music and dance lovers.
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