The Porta Ferrada festival in Sant Feliu de Guíxols (Baix Empordà) has kicked off its 64th edition with a concert by the renowned early music performer, Jordi Savall. Before an enthusiastic audience at the newly reopened Espai Port, Savall and his ensemble Hespèrion XXI presented a "musical journey" paying tribute to Marco Polo, featuring 20 pieces inspired by the Middle East and East Asia.
The concert transported attendees to the Silk Road, traversed by Marco Polo over 700 years ago, exploring sounds from ancient Mesopotamia and modern-day Persia. For two hours, Savall performed pieces on his viola da gamba, accompanied by less common instruments such as the ney and duduk, which blended with his ensemble.
Savall noted that the musical journey represents an era where "there were no borders and people shared," contrasting it with current fears. The festival highlighted the honor of featuring Savall, considered the "Nobel Prize" of music, to showcase cultural exchange and the connection between music and history.
The maestro also took the opportunity to celebrate the "small step" taken by the Generalitat de Catalunya in ceding an apartment in Barcelona for his foundation, although he deems it insufficient to preserve his legacy and calls for more financial support and a rehearsal space to pass on his knowledge to young musicians.
Savall's concert was the first of eight scheduled at the Espai Port, which will also host artists like Benjamin Clemente, Maria Arnal and Tania, and Sopa de Cabra. The main stage, the Guíxols Arena, will feature names such as The Corrs, David Bisbal, Mònica Naranjo, and Vladimir Cauchemar. The organization reports strong ticket sales.
