at Les Roches, and perform for the public every Christmas and Summer. Informative talks are also on the agenda for María and the team: “We have started a new Music Appreciation Course, since we believe that the more people know about music, the more they enjoy it.” Some 28 people meet every Monday evening at Vasari. One event that has seriously raised Música Con Encanto’s prestige factor is the proclamation of Daniel Barenboim as Honorary President. Barenboim, an Argentine pianist and conductor, is Director of La Scala in Milan and the Staatsoper Berlin. He is also renowned for his work with the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, an orchestra of young Arab and Israeli musicians based in Seville. “When Barenboim signed onto our project, it enabled us to receive much greater recognition and helps us obtain more aid. We are a non-profit organisation; our budget comes from private support, as well as some companies and professionals in Marbella, but the rest of our expenses are fronted by tickets to our concerts.” The costs of running the organisation run to some €50.000 a year.
Música con Encanto is fast gaining recognition with some of the world’s best musicians, who have come to Marbella to delight local audiences with their talent. The organisation collaborates at many prestigious music awards, including the Maria Canals Piano Prize (2009), the Santander International Piano Competition (2014) and the International Seville Guitar Competition (2008). Música con Encanto was officially recognised with the Premio de la Cultura 2015 for their work to create a cultural space in Marbella. In addition to keeping busy with Música con Encanto, María continues to perform, sometimes with the organisation and sometimes working on her own projects. She accompanies soprano, JulieAnne Hunter on the piano, and performs various recitals throughout the year. She also helps raise funds for the organisation, reminding us that its existence depends on sponsorship and donations, since the project doesn’t have any institutional support. The website features the organisation’s GoFundMe link, so if you think that culture and music are worth fostering on the Coast, do your share and sign up as a sponsor or private donor. e
Música Con Encanto will be keeping us very busy this month, with the following activities lined up: »» December 12: The Pequeña Orquestra Mediterránea plays at the Salón de Actos del Ayuntamiento de Benahavís at 5:30pm, accompanied by the David Lenker Trio (playing jazz and film scores) and Rainer Krass on the violincello, under the musical direction of Alison Harling. »» December 28: Música con Encanto will be holding a screening of The Tempest, by Thomas Adès, a MET project based on the Shakespeare play and dreamed up by artist, Robert Lepage. At La Virginia Church in Marbella at 7pm. g Tel: 689 000 944. www.músicaconencanto.org
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