Clàssicand 2025: Andorra's Classical Festival Unveils Star-Studded Lineup

The fourth edition of Clàssicand, Andorra's festival of classical dance and music, opens on 29 May and continues until 7 June, featuring international stars such as soprano Elīna Garanča, Nacho Duato's dance company, and actress Fanny Ardant, alongside around ten programmes including a family show.

Directed by Andorran musician and stage designer Joan Anton Rechi, the line-up builds on last year's success with ambitious productions like Carl Orff's *Carmina Burana*, Claudio Monteverdi's *Combattimento*, and a farewell concert by pianist Christian Zacharias with the Leipziger Streichquartett. Rechi presented the programme with Culture Minister Mònica Bonell and Tourism Minister Jordi Torres, highlighting its timing with the National Auditorium's reopening after renovations. Other venues include the transparent sail at Parc Central, Santa Coloma church, Casa de la Vall, and potentially the gardens of Radio Andorra, Andorra Congrés Centre, or the Consell General vestibule.

The festival begins with Garanča on 29 May at the Auditorium, accompanied by pianist Matthias Schulz in a recital spanning Mozart, Wagner, and verismo arias. The next day brings the world premiere of *Carmina Burana* at Parc Central, led by Josep Caballé Domènech with 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. On 30 May, Rechi directs *Combattimento* at Parc Central with conductor Fausto Nardi, singers Anna Alàs, Francisco Fernández Rueda, Roció Martínez, and Víctor Sordo, plus the Orquesta Barroca de Sevilla.

Subsequent highlights feature a dramatised Bach *Passions* tour of Casa de la Vall, Nacho Duato's company on 5 June at Parc Central with works like *Duende*, *Na Floresta*, and *Cantus*, Zacharias's chamber programme on 6 June likely including Schumann, Dvořák or Schubert, and Brahms, the Sax Fest 2025 winner's concert, and Andorran artists Míriam Manubens and Isabel Fèlix in *Jardins de Somni*. It closes on 7 June with Ardant in Michael Jarrell's *Cassandre*, an operatic monologue, at Parc Central. A family itinerant show, *Òhpera* by Mar Gómez, will perform in Andorra la Vella and Ordino streets.

Tickets go on sale 16 March, priced 30-40 euros, with a 150-euro pass for six shows and some free events. This edition marks the end of the current contract with the Culture and Tourism ministries, Andorra la Vella and Ordino communes, and sponsors MoraBanc and Creand. Torres signalled intent to continue, with joint discussions planned. Rechi called it a "very special and exceptional" year aimed at accessible culture and national heritage.

A launch concert for the 2026 edition takes place this evening at the Auditorium with flamenco singer Carmen Linares, conductor Josep Caballé, ONCA, and Manuel de Falla's *El amor brujo*, marking the composer's 150th birth anniversary.