Song, dance and a farewell to Serrat

The 36th edition of the Peralada Castle Festival kicked off on July 8 with the Munich Opera Ballet featuring a combination of classical ballet and modern dance. It was an event that set the cultural tone for this edition of the festival in Alt Empordà. Among the highlights this summer is a night of homage on August 3 to celebrate the 75th birthday of legendary operatic tenor, Josep Carreras, who will be awarded the festival’s medal of honour and perform with the Liceu Symphony Orchestra. Another highlight is on July 22, when Baroque group Arnadi’s Vespers premieres a version of Henry Purcell’s The Fairy Queen. Meanwhile, on July 15, Monica Bellucci will appear on stage wearing a dress that belonged to Maria Callas, as the Italian actor portrays the legendary opera singer in a special tribute. On August 6, the festival ends as it began, with dance, when Carlos Acosta presents On Before, a tribute to his deceased mother. Peralada is also a chance to see Joan Manuel Serrat (July 16) before he retires, on what will be his 19th visit to the festival. Portland-based band, Pink Martini, perform on July 23 in their only summer stop in Catalonia, while Rufus Wainwright’s second incursion into the world of opera, Hadrian, is on July 29. A performance of Verdi’s Nabucco the next day features the Spanish Royal Theatre Choir and Orchestra. More dance includes the Sergio Bernal Dance Company on July 20 and 21 inspired by French sculptor Rodin. There will also be concerts by the versatile Lucas Vidal (August 4), the Cosmos Quartet and mezzo-soprano Lidia Vinyes-Curtis, in the play Sfogava con le stelle on July 27.