On October 22, 1973, Pablo Casals died in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Cellist, conductor, composer, humanist and staunch fighter for freedom and democracy, today he is still one of the most universal names in music and peace.
“I have, after all, come a long way and I do not expect to live forever. I do not look upon death with fear. It is as natural a thing as being born.”
The universal legacy of Pablo Casals continues to be very relevant today. The defense of peace, democracy, human rights, and social commitment are central and highly topical issues in the world in which we live.
This year we commemorate the 50th anniversary of Casals’ death (1973-2023). For this reason, in 2023 the Pau Casals Foundation and the Pau Casals Museum will have a series of activities and special projects that will focus on the musical and human legacy of the maestro.
The most relevant event of this commemorative year will be the concert to be held on October 22 at the Palau de la Música Catalana. In this concert in tribute to the 50th anniversary of Casals’ death, the reduced orchestral version of the oratorio “El Pessebre” by Casals, which the Pau Casals Foundation commissioned, with the follow-up and support of Marta Casals, to the maestro Antoni Ros Marbà, will be premiered.
Under the direction of Antoni Ros Marbà, the singers in charge of performing this very special version with the Coral Càrmina and Franz Schubert Filharmonia will be Mireia Tarragó, soprano; Gemma Coma-Alabert, mezzo-soprano; David Alegret, tenor; Joan Martín-Royo, baritone-bass; and Pau Armengol, baritone.
We encourage you to consult the Foundation’s 2023 programme and Casals’ extensive biography and career.