ClàssicAnd Director Rechi Urges 8-Year Patience for Andorra Festival Success

Joan-Anton Rechi, artistic director of ClàssicAnd and the newly appointed leader of the Orquestra Nacional Clàssica d'Andorra (ONCA), has called for patience in building Andorra's classical music festival, warning that at least eight years are needed to solidify its success.

In an interview, Rechi expressed strong enthusiasm for ClàssicAnd, now entering its fourth edition, which he views as the seed of major events like the festivals in Aix-en-Provence and Avignon. Each edition costs €900,000, with last year's attendance reaching 92% capacity—around 4,000 spectators, 60% local and the rest tourists. He stressed that growth in audience numbers, calendar length, and artistic scope remains possible, including more operas and use of Andorra's heritage sites beyond the Auditori de les Valls.

Rechi defended combining the two roles, noting ONCA's presence since ClàssicAnd's inception made the partnership natural. He dismissed conflict-of-interest concerns, pointing out that programming his own production, *Combattimento*—previously staged at Peralada and Sevilla—aligns with standard opera practices. This year's lineup also features a touring *Carmina Burana* to balance logistics.

For ONCA, Rechi plans a monthly concert series at the 400-seat Auditori, filling a long-standing gap. Unlike past fixed staffing, the orchestra now relies on a core group plus project-based hires, making it feasible. He aims to draw 400 attendees per show through appealing programs, acknowledging results will take time.

Rechi, who directs five to eight operas annually abroad, expects to reduce to about five to manage both Andorra projects without abandoning his international career, aided by video calls. His ClàssicAnd contract renews yearly, with all parties—including administrations and sponsors—committed to continuation amid rising attendance.

He cautioned against impatience, citing past Andorran initiatives like those with Yepes or the Temporada de Música i Dansa that faltered prematurely. ClàssicAnd, he argued, offers broader economic benefits through cultural tourism, impacting hospitality and more, with a cost per spectator of €225 comparable to global festivals. Success now requires a 25-year vision, he said, as halting after four editions would waste investments.