The city of Girona joins the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the birth of Pau Casals (1876-1973) with an extensive cultural program that will run until June 2027. Organized by the Conservatori de Música and the Casa de Cultura de la Diputació de Girona, in collaboration with the Generalitat de Catalunya, the Auditori, the Fundació Pau Casals, and various local associations, the initiative is themed «Casals 150, música per la pau» (Casals 150, music for peace).
The program includes concerts, conferences, and family activities designed to promote knowledge of Pau Casals' musical and humanistic legacy, strengthen his international profile, and connect with new generations. The inauguration will be on Sunday, November 22, at 6 PM at the Auditori Josep Irla of the Generalitat de Catalunya, featuring the concert «El món de Pau Casals» (The World of Pau Casals) by cellist Ramon Bassal and pianist Daniel Blanch, presented by Joan Vives.
Other notable concerts include a cello and piano performance on March 5 at the Auditori Viader of the Casa de Cultura, with cellist Mar Gimferrer and pianist Marc Heredia. The world premiere of the participatory concert «La llegenda de Sant Jordi» (The Legend of Saint George) will also be presented on March 6 at the Sala Xavier Montsalvatge of the Auditori de Girona, with music by Miquel Sunyer and lyrics by Mercè Saurina, directed by Lluís Cavalleria. This event will involve students and amateur and professional musicians from Girona, with registration open until November 15.
The Sala de Cambra of the Auditori de Girona will host on March 14 (6 PM) the concert «L'herència de l'arc: homenatge a Pau Casals» (The Heritage of the Bow: Homage to Pau Casals) by Russian cellist Anastasia Kobekina. On April 18, the Girona Banda Band, conducted by Jordi Piccorrelli i López, will perform «150 primaveres amb Pau Casals» (150 springs with Pau Casals) on the rambla de la Llibertat (12 PM), while the Girona Cathedral will host Pau Casals' «Missa de Glòria» (Mass of Glory) (6 PM), performed by the Coral Càrmina and the Cor de Cambra de la Diputació de Girona.
The program is complemented by five conferences at the Casa de Cultura and one at the Conservatori de Girona. The first, on November 26 (6 PM) by Víctor Gay, will be titled «Els amics gironins de Pau Casals» (Pau Casals' friends from Girona). From January 14 to February 4, every Thursday at 7 PM, the Casa de Cultura will offer the conference series «Pau Casals: conviccions artístiques i de país» (Pau Casals: artistic and national convictions), coordinated by Anna Costal i Fornells. On February 26 (7 PM), the Conservatori de Música Isaac Albéniz will host the presentation «El Pau Casals més desconegut» (The most unknown Pau Casals) by Oriol Pérez Treviño.
For families, on February 23, the Conservatori de Música presents the show «Amic, descobrint Pau Casals» (Friend, discovering Pau Casals) at the Auditori Viader of the Casa de Cultura (6:30 PM), featuring cellist Irene Labrador and clown Clara del Ruste. On December 29, the day of Pau Casals' birth, the Amics de la Unesco de Girona and the Associació de Veïns Devesa-Güell will organize events on Carrer Pau Casals. On June 12, the Universal Sardana Day will include performances in the Jardins de la Devesa. The commemoration will conclude on June 23, 2027, in Girona's Plaça del Vi with the arrival of the flame of Canigó.
