Clàssicand 2025: Andorra's Classical Music Festival with Garanča, Duato, Ardant

The fourth edition of Clàssicand, Andorra's annual festival of classical music and dance, will run from 29 May to 7 June, drawing international stars including soprano Elīna Garanča, Nacho Duato's dance company, and actress Fanny Ardant. Directed by Andorran musician Joan Anton Rechi, the event features about ten main performances plus a family show, spread across two weekends at venues such as the recently renovated National Auditorium, the transparent sail at Parc Central, Santa Coloma church, Casa de la Vall, Sant Corneli church, and sites in Ordino.

It opens on 29 May with Garanča and pianist Matthias Schulz at the Auditorium, presenting arias from Mozart, Wagner, verismo operas, and her signature Carmen role. The following evening at Parc Central brings the world premiere of Carl Orff's *Carmina Burana* under Josep Caballé Domènech, with 196 performers from the Orquestra Nacional Clàssica d’Andorra (ONCA), Jove Orquestra Simfònica de Galícia, Cor de l’Orquestra Simfònica de Galícia, and Cor Infantil Amics de la Unió de Granollers. That night and on 31 May, the free 25-minute *Les Passions* offers a dramatised Bach experience through the restored rooms of Casa de la Vall, created in collaboration with the Consell General. On 31 May, Rechi conducts Claudio Monteverdi's *Combattimento* at Parc Central, led by Fausto Nardi, with singers Anna Alàs, Francisco Fernández Rueda, Roció Martínez, and Víctor Sordo, alongside the Orquesta Barroca de Sevilla.

The second weekend starts on 5 June at Parc Central with Duato's company in *Jardí trencat*, *Duende*, *Na Floresta*, and *Cantus*. On 6 June, pianist Christian Zacharias joins the Leipziger Streichquartett for German romantic works by Schumann, Dvořák, Schubert, and Brahms at the Auditorium; saxophonist Wataru Hirai, Sax Fest 2025 winner, performs a free concert at Santa Coloma church; and the family show *Òhpera* by Mar Gómez takes to Andorra la Vella streets. The festival ends on 7 June with Ardant in Michael Jarrell's *Cassandre* at Parc Central, Andorran artists Míriam Manubens and Isabel Fèlix in *Jardins de Somni* at Sant Corneli church, and *Òhpera* in Ordino.

Tickets go on sale from 16 March via www.classicand.com and tourism offices in Andorra la Vella and Ordino, priced at 30-40 euros—Garanča's show at 40 euros—with a 150-euro pass for six paid events. Free events include street performances, *Les Passions*, Hirai's concert, and *Jardins de Somni*. Supported by a 900,000-euro budget, this edition marks the end of a four-year deal with the Culture and Tourism ministries, Andorra la Vella and Ordino communes, and sponsors MoraBanc and Creand.

Tourism Minister Jordi Torres expressed hope for a fifth edition, stating the administrations want to continue as the festival has "made a name, positioned itself, and consolidated extraordinarily," though no decisions are final. Culture Minister Mònica Bonell praised Rechi for achieving the impossible by bringing top-tier artists to boost Andorra's cultural image. Rechi highlighted the milestone of sustaining the project while making culture accessible and showcasing heritage sites like the Auditorium and Casa de la Vall.

A launch event on Wednesday evening at the packed Auditorium featured flamenco singer Carmen Linares, conductor Josep Caballé Domènech, and ONCA in Manuel de Falla's *El amor brujo* for the composer's 150th anniversary. Rechi received a dedicated fanfare score from Grammy-winning guitarist Rafael Serrallet, a past festival artist.