This Saturday, the Cas Comte Palace hosted a very special concert by the choir Cor Cadenza, conducted by Cristina Álvarez, as part of the activities organized to mark International Women’s Day. The palace’s main hall, offered for the occasion by the Fundación José María de Olives y de Ponsich, Conde de Torre-saura, was filled to capacity, with such a large audience that even some of the attendees had to stand throughout the concert.
The choir Cor Cadenza delivered a remarkable performance, distinguished by its unique nature: it is an all-female ensemble. According to its director, Cristina Álvarez, this fact brings “an energy and a sound very different from what we are used to hearing,” making the group a special and distinctive artistic offering.
For this concert, the choir performed with its full components and presented a repertoire consisting of ten pieces that reflected its versatility. The program spanned various musical styles and traditions, from gospel —designed to “liven things up and help awaken the voices”— to traditional Brazilian and French music, Catalan songs and opera excerpts. It also included two pieces from the Cancionero de Upsala, considered one of the oldest gems of Spain’s musical heritage.
Among the works performed, “Balayo” by Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos and “Paraules d’amor” by Joan Manuel Serrat —one of the most moving pieces on the program— stood out. In the realm of opera, the choir performed excerpts from Verdi’s “La forza del destino.” The concert was conceived as a showcase of the various facets the choir has worked on over the past year and a half, highlighting its chameleon-like nature and its ability to adapt to diverse styles.
The director also highlighted the significance of the venue: “It is very special for us to be able to sing in such an iconic place as Cas Comte.” The hall’s acoustics and the symbolism of the space contributed to creating a unique atmosphere, which the audience recognized with a warm reception.
The event concluded with the presentation of gifts to the director of the choir, Cristina Álvarez; the pianist, Maria del Mar Vidal; and Paqui Pérez, coordinator of the Torre-saura Foundation, in recognition of their involvement, which made it possible to hold this concert at the Cas Comte Palace.
With this initiative, the Foundation reaffirms its commitment to cultural promotion and the revitalization of heritage, offering iconic venues for activities that highlight talent and creativity, especially on such significant dates as International Women’s Day.
