ONCA Opens 2026-2027 Season with Reflective 'Cap a la llum' Concert

The Orquestra Nacional Clàssica d’Andorra (ONCA) opened its 2026-2027 season yesterday with Cap a la llum, a programme focused on reflection, beauty, and close listening.

Directed by Josep Caballé Domenech, the event featured soprano Núria Rial, baritone Josep Ramon Olivé, and the Cor Madrigal de Barcelona, which is marking its 75th anniversary this year. The lineup began with standout pieces from Catalan choral tradition, such as Pau Casals’s O vos omnes, Manuel Oltra’s Amor mariner, Lluís Maria Millet’s La sardana de l’abril, and Joan Manén’s arrangement of Muntanyes del Canigó. It then moved into Gabriel Fauré’s world with Jean Racine’s Cantique serving as an introduction to the composer’s celebrated Requiem. The two works share an intimate spirituality that avoids dramatic flourishes.

Harpist Esther Pinyol, who took part in the Requiem, emphasised its radiant quality, saying it carries “a lot of light and hope”. She pointed to the ensemble’s distinctive sound, including “a huge number of violas” that lend a unique tone, along with the harp’s key role—a feature not found in works like Mozart’s Requiem. Pinyol described her debut with ONCA at a season opener as especially thrilling. On the orchestra’s new stable season format, she called for its continuation, stating that local musicians “deserve it” and that ONCA requires “its space and a stable concert schedule”.

The Fundació ONCA’s next concert, El dret a la bellesa, is set for 24 October at 8pm.