Wataru Hirai Headlines ClàssicAnd Festival Amid Star-Studded Lineup

**Wataru Hirai, Sax Fest Winner, to Perform at ClàssicAnd Amid Festival's Star-Studded Lineup**

The fourth edition of ClàssicAnd, Andorra's flagship classical music and dance festival, will run from May 29 to June 7, featuring international stars including soprano Elīna Garanča, choreographer Nacho Duato's company, and actress Fanny Ardant. Directed by Joan Anton Rechi, artistic director of the Orquestra Nacional Clàssica d'Andorra (ONCA), the event marks the renovated Auditori Nacional's return as a main venue alongside the Parc Central's transparent sail, Sant Coloma church, Ordino church, and Casa de la Vall.

The festival opens May 29 with Garanča accompanied by pianist Matthias Schulz. The next day brings Carl Orff's *Carmina Burana* at Parc Central, performed by ONCA, the Jove Orquestra Simfònica de Galícia, the Cor de l’Orquestra Simfònica de Galícia, Cor Infantil Amics de la Unió de Granollers, and soloists under conductor Josep Caballé. Further highlights include Monteverdi's opera *Combattimento* on May 31 (Parc Central), Bach-inspired *La Passió de Casa de la Vall* on May 30-31, Duato's dance works on June 5, chamber music by Christian Zacharias and the Leipzig Quartet on June 6 (Auditori Nacional), and Ardant's *Cassandre* closing the event on June 7 evening. Saxophonist Wataru Hirai, winner of this year's Andorra Sax Fest, performs June 6 at Sant Coloma church. Local artists Míriam Manubens and Isabel Fèlix present *Jardins de Somni* on June 7, while the family show *Òhpera* by Mar Gómez tours streets in Andorra la Vella and Ordino.

A launch concert last night at the Auditori Nacional sold out, with Carmen Linares performing Manuel de Falla's *El amor brujo* alongside ONCA and Caballé, marking Falla's 150th birth anniversary.

Tickets go on sale March 16 via www.classicand.com and tourism offices in Andorra la Vella and Ordino. Prices range from €30-40, with a €150 pass for six shows; several events like Hirai's concert, *La Passió*, *Jardins de Somni*, and *Òhpera* are free.

Culture Minister Mònica Bonell called it "an excellent opportunity to project Andorra worldwide through culture," crediting Rechi for bringing top-tier acts. Tourism Minister Jordi Torres highlighted its role in attracting high-value visitors to premium venues, noting the festival's extraordinary consolidation after four years. Supported by Andorra la Vella and Ordino communes plus MoraBanc and Creand, organizers aim for a fifth edition despite the current contract's expiry, pending joint decisions.

The event connects to the ongoing 13th Andorra Sax Fest (March 28-April 4), where Hirai's forthcoming win underscores growing synergies between Andorra's key cultural draws, as Rechi noted in praising the saxophone event's rigor.