- The Ravel Festival hosted a unique tribute concert to the Spanish poet Federico García Lorca, who was assassinated 90 years ago.
- Artists Barbara Hannigan and Bertrand Chamayou performed a demanding programme themed around the lullaby at Saint-Vincent Church in Ciboure.
- The evening also featured works by George Crumb and a contemporary creation by Álvaro Pérez Sánchez.
A musical and historical tribute in Ciboure
As part of the commemorations marking the 90th anniversary of the assassination of Federico García Lorca by Francoist forces, the Ravel Festival presented an exceptional evening at Saint-Vincent Church in Ciboure. Conceived by soprano Barbara Hannigan and pianist Bertrand Chamayou, this singular musical programme explored the theme of the lullaby, a recurring motif in the Andalusian poet’s work. This tribute brought together rare and demanding pieces to celebrate the memory of the poet, who was himself a great collector and harmoniser of Spanish folk songs. The audience was treated to solo piano compositions by Karol Szymanowski, Joaquin Turina and Federico Mompou, as well as the poignant Canto de cuna para los Huérfanos de España by Joaquin Nin, performed alongside the young singer Arson Marin.
A contemporary exploration and an enthusiastic reception
The concert also left a lasting impression thanks to the performance of Ancient Voices of Children, a complex 1970 work by George Crumb, conducted by Alphonse Cemin. This highly technical piece showcased Barbara Hannigan’s vocal agility and the performance of several instrumentalists. To open the concert, the festival had also programmed Ancient Sounds, a creation by Álvaro Pérez Sánchez, winner of the Ravel Academy Composition Prize in 2025. This bold programming, which stepped off the beaten track of classical chamber music, was particularly warmly received by the audience. The event thus confirms the festival’s commitment to fostering a dialogue between the historical repertoire and contemporary creation.
