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Why Is Granada Music and Dance Festival a Top Highlight of My Favourite City's Musical Programme



"Good music brings life to the soul."

The Granada music and dance festival is one of the highlights of my favourite city's musical pleasures.

The year 2010 sees the 59th Festival of Music and Dance in Granada starting on 24th June. It promises to be a real high for lovers of music and dance everywhere.

It was in 1952 when the festival celebrations started. Since then this annual event has grown into what is now one of the most important music festivals in Spain.

Last year's title "Sit Down and Feel", gave a wealth of events to watch and enjoy - including dance, ballet, flamenco and classical concerts, all with a host of premier artists giving their own special performances.


Group dancers Domina
Photographs courtesy of Granada music dance festival



It all took place in various breathtaking venues within our wonderful city including the open air theatre of the Generalife gardens, the King Charles V Palace in the Alhambra, the Cathedral and Chapels, Churches, cafés and clubs throughout Granada.

In true Andalucian fashion, the celebrations spread throughout the city via the bars and the streets. The sounds and sights of singing, playing and dancing made this a paradise of rhythm and dance.

The programme is usually traditionally based on classical music, ballet and Spanish dancing but it also includes exhibitions, Flamenco and contemporary music, and so there is always plenty of choice for everyone.

Everything starts on 12th June and anyone who wants to do more than watch can go to the International Manuel de Falla Workshops who provide specific training for music and dance professionals from around the world.

There will be something for everybody at the International Festival of Music and Dance in Granada.


Tribute to Mario Maya

For instance, to give details of just one of the many attractions from 2009, at 22.30 hours on Sunday 28 June in the Generalife gardens of the Alhambra there was a tribute to Mario Maya (see video below). Mario Maya is one of the late, great flamenco artists who "fused" his Gypsy heritage and training in experimental American dance to become one of Spain’s most influential flamenco dancers and choreographers.

Brought up in the gypsy caves of the Sacromonte in Granada, he influenced the development of flamenco while remaining true to his roots.

This tribute gave a unique opportunity to admire performances most representative of Mario Maya's choreographic ballets. And fittingly, it is Mario's daughter, Bethlehem, who directs this excellent performance.



The dancer Mario Maya




Other performaces at the Granada music and dance festival included:-

  • Edita Gruberova (soprano singer) performing in the Palacio de Carlos V.

  • Marina Heredia, singing flamenco in The Abbey of Sacromonte.

  • The prestigious London Symphony Orchestra performing two concerts in the King Charles V Palace with 21-years-old Chinese pianist Yuja Wang.

  • The Granadina soprano Mariola Cantarero.

  • Sir John Eliot Gardiner presenting Bizet's opera, "Carmen", with the Revolutionary and Romantic Orchestra, the Choir Monteverdi and a cast of singers headed by the Italian mezzo soprano Ana Caterina Antonacci in the role of Carmen.

Click here for the full programme for the 59th edition of the International festival of music and dance in Granada

For more information about the next Granada music and dance festival you can go to, or phone..
The Tourist Office at the Junta de Andalucia
Address: Plaza Mariana de Pineda 10, Granada
Telephone:0034 958 24 71 28

or the

Festival Internacional de Música y Danza de Granada
Calle Carcel Baja 19 - 3º,
CP 18001
Granada
Telephone 0034 958 221 844

There is also a host of other information on the official Web site of the Festival


If you are one of the lucky ones who manage to make it to the Granada music and dance festival this year then you are bound to be entranced and truly entertained by the atmosphere of the city at this special time of the year.

The feelings of the city in Granada are truly magical all the year round, but in June this place is heaven for anyone and everyone who is a lover of music and dance.


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