The Proto-fest 2026 program in Tortosa aims to reinforce its core pillars: artistic excellence, the recovery of musical heritage, the visibility of women composers and performers, the promotion of contemporary creation, international projection, and territorial commitment. The festival, taking place from July 23 to August 2, 2026, will combine about fifteen concerts in emblematic city venues with an extensive training program, bringing together top-level performers and educators.
The Reials Col·legis, the Plaça de l’Absis de la Catedral, the Jardins del Príncep, the Claustre del Casal Tortosí, the Museu de Tortosa, the Col·legi Sant Josep, and the Capella del Convent de les Teresianes de Jesús will be transformed into stages to champion Tortosa's monumental heritage as a center for culture.
Early music will play a prominent role, with proposals ranging from the Renaissance to the Baroque. The festival will open with 'Queste pungente spine', a program dedicated to the spiritual music of the early Italian Baroque. The ensemble O Vos Omnes will present 'Abitz de doeul', a journey through the culture of mourning and spiritual meditation. One of the most unique events will be 'Le chant des muses', where violinist Anna Urpina will recover works by Baroque female composers, placing them in dialogue with contemporary creators.
Audiences can also enjoy 'El Temps Daurat' by Mediterrània Consort, a program focused on the virtuosic instrumental music of the Valencian and Aragonese courts, highlighting the role of the Crown of Aragon. The Opera Studio project of Proto-fest 2026 will present '?Il respiro dei corpi assenti', a performance featuring arias by composers such as Händel, Purcell, and Vivaldi, under the musical direction of tenor Jordi Domènech.
Chamber music will be a highlight with internationally renowned violist Rivka Golani and the Eden Quintet performing 'Mozart and Brahms: two quintet masters'. Pianist Inés Reguero, accompanied by the Tortosa Chamber Orchestra, will perform works by Chopin. Additionally, the 'Liederabend' recital will feature musicians from the prestigious Lied chair at the Mozarteum University Salzburg, including the Tortosa-born Miquel Esquinas.
In a tribute to local and classical figures, the ensemble Accent Ensemble will present 'Absolc el temps', inspired by the poetry of Zoraida Burgos, with music by Inés Reguero and a premiere by Joel Espanya. The festival will also commemorate the anniversaries of Narcisa Freixas, Manuel de Falla, and the Tortosa-born composer Rossend Aymí.
With a clear humanistic dimension, 'Veus de la memòria: Stabat Mater' will commemorate the 90th anniversary of the start of the Spanish Civil War, reflecting on the pain and consequences of armed conflicts.
The program will include Martin Palmeri's 'Misa Tango', a fusion of Catholic liturgy and Argentine tango, directed by Francesc Valldecabres and featuring bandoneonist Marcelo Mercadante. The festival will conclude with 'Orient.cat' by the Quintet Montsant, exploring Eastern influences in contemporary music.
In parallel, the festival will offer courses and masterclasses with internationally recognized masters such as Rivka Golani and Marcelo Mercadante, including the Opera Studio for Baroque opera.
Parallel activities include the lecture 'The most unknown Pau Casals' by Oriol Pérez Treviño and the musical route 'Pedrell, Canalda and Lamote de Grignon: three Wagnerians from Tortosa', guided by Toni Gallardo.
Tickets for paid concerts will go on sale on June 15th at 7 euros, while registrations for courses are already open on the festival's website.
