Festival Casals de Puerto Rico 2007

This weekend will mark the 51st opening of the Pablo Casals Festival in Centro de Bellas Artes Luis A. Ferre. Started by Pablo Casals (December 29, 1876 – October 22, 1973), himself back in 1956, the festival always brings the most talented musicians from around the world.

Casals was born in El Vendrell, Catalonia (Spain) to his father, Carles Casals i Ribes, a parish organist and choirmaster and his mother, Pilar Defilló de Casals, who was born in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico of Catalan ancestry. Casals moved to Puerto Rico in 1956, making San Juan, permanent residence. He died in 1973 in San Juan at the age of 96. In 1979 his remains were laid to rest in his home town of El Vendrell, Catalonia. Here is a famous Casals quote to ponder on:

"The love of one's country is a splendid thing. But why should love stop at the border?"

The Pablo Casals Museum, located in the Plaza San José in Old San Juan, is the custodian of the recordings of Casals and transports us back to the concerts given by the Maestro and the many talented musicians from previous festivals. In addition the museums owns many other videos that contain the participation of the Maestro Pablo Casals as soloist and director.

Running from February 10th, until March 3rd, 2007. The first week of performances is described here, with ticket information below:

• Saturday, February 10, 2007
  Festival Hall
  8:00 pm
  
  Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra
  
  Yoav Talmi, Guest Conductor
  Measha Brueggergosman, Soprano
  Casals Festival Chorus, Jo-Anne Herrero, Chorus Director
  
  Program
  
  H. Berlioz.- Le Corsaire Overture, Op. 21
  H. Berlioz.- Les Nuits d’été, Op. 7
  
  Intermission
  
  G. Fauré - Pavane for orchestra and chorus ad lib in F-sharp minor, Op. 50
  M. Ravel - Daphnis et Cloé, Suites no. 1 and 2 (with chorus)
  

• Sunday, February 11, 2007
  Drama Hall
  4:00 pm
  
  PRADES CHAMBER ENSEMBLE
  
  Program
  
  S. Prokofiev - Overture on Jewish Themes, Op. 34
  W. A. Mozart - Clarinet Quintet in A major, K. 581
  
  Intermission
  
  O. Messiaen - L’abîme des oiseaux (Abyss of the Birds) from the third movement of the Quartet for the End of Time
  D. Shostakovich - Piano quintet in G minor, Op. 57
  

• Tuesday, February 13, 2007
  Drama Hall
  8:00 pm
  
  Meira Farkas, pianist
  
  Program
  
  W. A. Mozart - Rondo in A minor, K. 511
  L. v . Beethoven - Piano Sonata no. 8 in C minor, Op. 13 (Grand Sonate Pathetique)
  F. Schubert - 3 pieces for piano, D. 946
  
  Intermission
  
  F. Schubert - Piano Sonata in B-flat major, D. 960
  

• Thursday, February 15, 2007
  Drama Hall
  8:00 pm
  
  Moscow String Quartet
  Eugenia Alikhanova, violin 1
  Galina Kokhanovskaya, violin 2
  Tatiana Kokhanovskaya, viola
  Olga Ogranovitch, cello
  
  Program
  
  A. Borodin - String quartet no. 2 in D major
  Allegro moderato
  Scherzo. Allegro
  Notturno. Andante
  Finale. Andante. Vivace
  D. Shostakovich - String quartet no. 7, Op. 108
  Allegretto
  Lento
  Allegro. Allegretto
  
  Intermission
  
  P. I. Tchaikovsky - String quartet no. 2 in F major, Op. 22
  Adagio. Moderato assai, quasi andantino
  Allegro giusto
  Andante, ma non tanto
  Allegro con moto
  

Ticket Information

CBA - 787-620-4444
Ticket Center - 787-792-5000

Closing Night Concert
Saturday, March 3, 2007
Antonio Paoli Hall

Orchestra Seats - $100, $70, $50
Mezzanine - $30, $20.

Prices

Festival Hall
Orchestra Seats - $36
Mezzanine - $26

Drama Hall
Orchestra Seats - $30
Mezzanine - $20

Discounts

Discounts for persons above 60 and 75 years of age apply by law to residents of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. / Students shall also receive the customary discounts of 50%. / Adults with children 12 years old and under will receive a free ticket. / APOS members shall receive a 5% discount. / Benefits apply on one offer only. / ID required.

For details 787-721-7727 Ext. 5418, 2530
www.festcasalspr.gobierno.pr