On the occasion of the Millennial of the Abbey of Montserrat and as a prelude to the 40th anniversary of the Perelada FestivalRome will be the scene of an unrepeatable edition of the Empordà festival. For three days, from October 1 to 3, 2025, reference spaces in the Italian capital will host concerts, conferences and an exhibition that will put into dialogue spirituality, heritage and artistic creation.
With the motto ‘Sound bridges between Catalonia and Rome: from Terradellas to Vivancos‘, presents a program that is built as a bridge between past and present and dialogue Old Music Heritage (Terradellas, Red Book of Montserrat) with the contemporary creation (Vivancos, former student of the Escolania). Through a careful selection of performers and repertoires, a panoramic view of Catalan and European musical heritage will be drawn, in constant dialogue with the Roman environment and the liturgical tradition.
It Perelada Festival in Rome Projects Catalan music, the spirit of the festival and the spiritual heritage of Montserrat in the heart of Europe. An opportunity to celebrate a thousand years of living culture, weave international complicity and strengthen the role of culture as a tool for European dialogue and projection.
Program
October 1
The opening day, at the Palazzo di Spagna, will consist of two concerts that synthesize the spirit of the project. First at 6pm, the saxophone quartet Kebyart presents The Grande Bellezzaa program that goes between tradition and modernity with works of Stravinsky, Bernat Vivancos and Nino Rota. The proposal invites a reflection on ephemeral and persistent beauty, with creative arrangements and an aesthetic approach that combines virtuosity, sensitivity and innovation.
At 18.45 h, Arnadí eveningsunder the direction of Dani swordwill offer the concert Corellianwith a program focused on the Concerto grosso with works of Corelli, Scarlatti, Händel and Geminianidrawing a sound map of the European instrumental baroque. This proposal is worth the figure of Arcangelo Corelli and his influence on contemporaries and disciples. The concert will have Farran Sylvan James As a concertino.
October 2
At 5 pm the Royal Academy Royal Academy of Spain in Rome and San Pietro in Montorio will be the scene of the conference Millennium Montserrat: from Terradellas to Vivancosa reflection on the musical continuity between generations, the Benedictine tradition and the creative spirit. The presentation will be borne by Jordi-Agustí Piquémonk of Montserrat and Prior de Montecassino, and of the composer Bernat Vivancos.
At 18.30 h, the church of San Pietro in Montorio will host the concert Terradeglias in the eternal citydedicated to the Catalan composer Domènec Terradellaskey figure in the European Baroque. Formed in Naples and with close links with Rome, Terradellas developed part of his most relevant sacred work. Three of his most emblematic pieces will be performed: To the sorrows of Mary Holy, Dixit dominus and Laudate pueri. The interpretation will be in charge of the soprano Sara Blanchthe vocal group Singer and the orchestra Arnadí eveningsunder the musical direction of Dani sword.
October 3
Opening of the exhibition Montserrat: A Millennio, a contributa Benedettina Nella Costruzione dell’Europato the Palace of the Chancellery of Rome. Organized by the Abbey of Montserrat and with the collaboration of the Generalitat de Catalunya, the exhibition relates the impact of the Benedictine monacat to the construction of European identity and values.
At 17.30 h, in the House Dei Cavalieri di Rodithe group Singer will offer the program The retirementdedicated to Iberian Renaissance music, with works of Matthew the old man, Bartomeu Cárceres and several anonymous authors. You will include pieces of songbooks such as Uppsala and Medinaceli, Christmas carols such as Riu Chiu, spiritual Madrigals and fragments of salads such as La Justa and Retirement, which show the expressive richness of the Catalan Renaissance.
Finally, at 8 pm, the Basilica of Sant’anselmo All’Antino will host the concert of theEscolania de Montserratdirected by Pau Jorquerawith the participation of the Montserrat Music Chapel and of the soprano Sara Blanch. This performance will close the festival with a proposal full of symbolism, which summarizes the essence of Montserrat.
