The Orquestra Simfònica del Gran Teatre del Liceu (''Symphony Orchestra of the Gran Teatre del Liceu'') is the opera orchestra of the
Gran Teatre del Liceu
Gran may refer to:
People
*Grandmother, affectionately known as "gran"
* Gran (name)
Places
* Gran, the historical German name for Esztergom, a city and the primatial metropolitan see of Hungary
* Gran, Norway, a municipality in Innlandet coun ...
in
Barcelona
Barcelona ( , , ) is a city on the coast of northeastern Spain. It is the capital and largest city of the autonomous community of Catalonia, as well as the second most populous municipality of Spain. With a population of 1.6 million within ci ...
,
Spain
, image_flag = Bandera de España.svg
, image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg
, national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond")
, national_anthem = (English: "Royal March")
, i ...
. Founded concurrently with the theatre in 1847 (actually, it continues the orchestra of the Liceu previous theatre, founded in 1837 and active since 1838), it is the oldest orchestra still working in Barcelona, and the oldest in Spain. The orchestra also performs symphony concerts at such venues as the
Palau de la Música Catalana
Palau de la Música Catalana (, en, Palace of Catalan Music) is a concert hall in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. Designed in the Catalan '' modernista'' style by the architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner, it was built between 1905 and 1908 for O ...
and at
L'Auditori
L'Auditori () is a modern building of 42,000 square metres designed by the architect Rafael Moneo, opened on 22 March 1999, in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
It is in the centre of the new pole of urban development of Plaça de les Glòries, which ...
.
The first conductor of the orchestra was
Marià Obiols
Marià Obiols (26 November 1809 – 10 December 1888), also known as Mariano Obiols, was a Catalan composer, conductor, and professor of music. He served as the music director of the Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona from its founding in 1847 unt ...
. The orchestra subsequently worked with guest conductors, including the composers
Manuel de Falla
Manuel de Falla y Matheu (, 23 November 187614 November 1946) was an Andalusian Spanish composer and pianist. Along with Isaac Albéniz, Francisco Tárrega, and Enrique Granados, he was one of Spain's most important musicians of the first hal ...
,
Alexander Glazunov
Alexander Konstantinovich Glazunov; ger, Glasunow (, 10 August 1865 – 21 March 1936) was a Russian composer, music teacher, and conductor of the late Russian Romantic period. He was director of the Saint Petersburg Conservatory between 1905 ...
,
Richard Strauss
Richard Georg Strauss (; 11 June 1864 – 8 September 1949) was a German composer, conductor, pianist, and violinist. Considered a leading composer of the late Romantic and early modern eras, he has been described as a successor of Richard Wag ...
,
Igor Stravinsky
Igor Fyodorovich Stravinsky (6 April 1971) was a Russian composer, pianist and conductor, later of French (from 1934) and American (from 1945) citizenship. He is widely considered one of the most important and influential composers of the ...
,
Ottorino Respighi
Ottorino Respighi ( , , ; 9 July 187918 April 1936) was an Italian composer, violinist, teacher, and musicologist and one of the leading Italian composers of the early 20th century. List of compositions by Ottorino Respighi, His compositions r ...
, and
Pietro Mascagni
Pietro Mascagni (7 December 1863 – 2 August 1945) was an Italian composer primarily known for his operas. His 1890 masterpiece ''Cavalleria rusticana'' caused one of the greatest sensations in opera history and single-handedly ushered in the ' ...
, but with no principal conductor or music director. The first music director was Ernest Xancó, who took up the post in 1959 and served in that capacity until 1961. Subsequent music directors have included Uwe Mund (1987-1994),
Bertrand de Billy
Bertrand de Billy (born Paris, 11 January 1965) is a French conductor.
He attended a Jesuit school, but only started serious musical studies when he was around 14–15; he studied piano and violin.
(1999-2004),
Sebastian Weigle
Sebastian Weigle (born 1961, in East Berlin) is a German conductor and horn player. He is currently ''Generalmusikdirektor'' of the Oper Frankfurt and principal conductor of the Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra.
Biography
Weigle is a nephew of ...
(2004–2008), and
Michael Boder
Michael Boder (born 9 November 1958) is a German conductor of opera and concert who works internationally. The chief conductor of the Royal Danish Theatre, he has conducted regularly at the Vienna State Opera, including the premieres of Cerha's ' ...
(2008-2012). In October 2010, the company announced the appointment of
Josep Pons
Josep Pons (born Josep Pons i Viladomat; 1957) is a Spanish conductor.
Biography
Pons was born in Puig-reig, Berguedà. He received his musical training at L'Escolania de Montserrat and continued his musical studies in Barcelona with such teac ...
as its next music director, as of September 2012, for an initial contract of 6 years.
Premieres performed by the orchestra
The
Liceu
The Gran Teatre del Liceu (, English: Great Theatre of the Lyceum), known as ''El Liceu'', is an opera house in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. Located in La Rambla, it is the oldest running theatre in Barcelona.
Founded in 1837 at another loca ...
opera house has been the location for the world premieres of several works, and for the Spanish premieres of many musical works, such as the following:
*1847 (April 4)
Marià Obiols
Marià Obiols (26 November 1809 – 10 December 1888), also known as Mariano Obiols, was a Catalan composer, conductor, and professor of music. He served as the music director of the Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona from its founding in 1847 unt ...
' cantata ''Il regio imene'', the first musical work performed by the orchestra in the inauguration day
*1853 (January 8)
Temistocle Solera
Temistocle Solera (25 December 1815 – 21 April 1878) was an Italian opera composer and librettist.
Life and career
He was born in Ferrara. He received his education at the Imperial College in Vienna and at the University of Pavia. Throughou ...
's Spanish opera ''La hermana de Pelayo'', first opera premiered by the orchestra
*1874 (April 14)
Felipe Pedrell
Felip Pedrell Sabaté (Spanish: Felipe) (19 February 1841 – 19 August 1922) was a Catalan composer, guitarist and musicologist.
Life
Pedrell was born in Tortosa (Catalonia), and sang as a boy soprano at Tortosa Cathedral from age 9, where he ...
's opera ''L'ultimo Abenzerraggio''
*1892 (May 14)
Tomás Bretón
Tomás Bretón y Hernández (29 December 1850 – 2 December 1923) was a Spanish conductor and composer.
Biography
Tomás Bretón was born in Salamanca. He completed his musical studies at the School of Fine Arts in his hometown, where he ea ...
's opera ''Garín''
*1895 (May 8)
Isaac Albéniz
Isaac Manuel Francisco Albéniz y Pascual (; 29 May 1860 – 18 May 1909) was a Spanish virtuoso pianist, composer, and conductor. He is one of the foremost composers of the Post-Romantic era who also had a significant influence on his conte ...
's opera ''
Henry Clifford Henry Clifford may refer to:
*Henry Clifford, 1st Earl of Cumberland (1493–1542)
*Henry Clifford, 2nd Earl of Cumberland (1517–1570)
*Henry Clifford (died 1577), MP for Salisbury and Great Bedwyn
*Henry Clifford, 5th Earl of Cumberland (1591– ...
''
*1896 (January 5)
Isaac Albéniz
Isaac Manuel Francisco Albéniz y Pascual (; 29 May 1860 – 18 May 1909) was a Spanish virtuoso pianist, composer, and conductor. He is one of the foremost composers of the Post-Romantic era who also had a significant influence on his conte ...
Felipe Pedrell
Felip Pedrell Sabaté (Spanish: Felipe) (19 February 1841 – 19 August 1922) was a Catalan composer, guitarist and musicologist.
Life
Pedrell was born in Tortosa (Catalonia), and sang as a boy soprano at Tortosa Cathedral from age 9, where he ...
's grand opera ''Els Pirineus''
*1903 (December 3)
Joan Manén Joan may refer to:
People and fictional characters
*Joan (given name), including a list of women, men and fictional characters
*:Joan of Arc, a French military heroine
*Joan (surname)
Weather events
*Tropical Storm Joan (disambiguation), multiple ...
's opera ''Acté''
*1906 (January 20) Enric Morera's opera ''Empòrium''
*1913 (January 15)
Jaume Pahissa
Jaume Pahissa i Jo (also Jaime; October 8, 1880 – October 27, 1969, in Buenos Aires, Argentina) was a Spanish-born composer and musicologist.
From an article published in Le Figaro March 16, 1913: "We note the great success at the Liceo theater ...
's first opera ''Gal·la Placídia''
*1923 (March 31)
Jaume Pahissa
Jaume Pahissa i Jo (also Jaime; October 8, 1880 – October 27, 1969, in Buenos Aires, Argentina) was a Spanish-born composer and musicologist.
From an article published in Le Figaro March 16, 1913: "We note the great success at the Liceo theater ...
's ''Marianela''
*1929
Manuel Blancafort
Manuel may refer to:
People
* Manuel (name)
* Manuel (Fawlty Towers), a fictional character from the sitcom ''Fawlty Towers''
* Charlie Manuel, manager of the Philadelphia Phillies
* Manuel I Komnenos, emperor of the Byzantine Empire
* M ...
's symphonic poem ''Matí de festa a Puiggraciós''
*1932 (March 3)
Joan Manén Joan may refer to:
People and fictional characters
*Joan (given name), including a list of women, men and fictional characters
*:Joan of Arc, a French military heroine
*Joan (surname)
Weather events
*Tropical Storm Joan (disambiguation), multiple ...
's opera ''Neró i Acté''
*1948 (January 10)
Xavier Montsalvatge
Xavier Montsalvatge i Bassols (; 11 March 1912 – 7 May 2002) was a Spanish composer and music critic. He was one of the most influential music figures in Catalan music during the latter half of the 20th century.
Biography
Life
Montsalvatge ...
's children opera ''El gato con botas''
*1948 (January 10)
Carlos Surinach
Carlos Lund (or Carles Suriñach) i Wrokona (; March 6, 1915 – November 12, 1997) was a Spanish-born 's ''El mozo que casó con mujer brava''
*1950 (December 14)
Conrado del Campo
Conrado del Campo y Zabaleta (28 October 1878 – 17 March 1953) was a Spanish composer, violinist and pedagogue.
Career
Del Campo was born in Madrid and became professor at the Real Conservatorio de Música in Madrid in 1915, where he was an ...
's ''Lola la Piconera''
*1955 (December 19)
Joaquín Rodrigo
Joaquín Rodrigo Vidre, 1st Marquess of the Gardens of Aranjuez (; 22 November 1901 – 6 July 1999), was a Spanish composer and a virtuoso pianist. He is best known for composing the ''Concierto de Aranjuez'', a cornerstone of the classical gui ...
's ballet ''Pavana Real''
*1956 (April 28)
Frederic Mompou
Frederic Mompou Dencausse (; alternatively Federico Mompou; 16 April 189330 June 1987) was a Spanish and Catalan composer and pianist. He is remembered for his solo piano music and songs.
Life
Early years
Mompou was born in Barcelona to the ...
and
Xavier Montsalvatge
Xavier Montsalvatge i Bassols (; 11 March 1912 – 7 May 2002) was a Spanish composer and music critic. He was one of the most influential music figures in Catalan music during the latter half of the 20th century.
Biography
Life
Montsalvatge ...
's ballet ''Perlimplinada''
*1961 (November 24)
Manuel de Falla
Manuel de Falla y Matheu (, 23 November 187614 November 1946) was an Andalusian Spanish composer and pianist. Along with Isaac Albéniz, Francisco Tárrega, and Enrique Granados, he was one of Spain's most important musicians of the first hal ...
and
Ernesto Halffter
Ernesto Halffter Escriche (16 January 19055 July 1989) was a Spanish composer and conductor. He was the brother of Rodolfo Halffter and part of the ''Grupo de los Ocho'' ( en, Group of Eight), which formed a sub-set of the ''Generation of '27''. ...
Xavier Montsalvatge
Xavier Montsalvatge i Bassols (; 11 March 1912 – 7 May 2002) was a Spanish composer and music critic. He was one of the most influential music figures in Catalan music during the latter half of the 20th century.
Biography
Life
Montsalvatge ...
Josep Soler Josep is a Catalan masculine given name equivalent to Joseph (Spanish ''José'').
People named Josep include:
* Josep Bargalló (born 1958), Catalan philologist and former politician
* Josep Bartolí (1910-1995), Catalan painter, cartoonist an ...
's ''Oedipus et Iocasta''
*1988 (September 21)
Xavier Benguerel
Xavier or Xabier may refer to:
Place
* Xavier, Spain
People
* Xavier (surname)
* Xavier (given name)
* Francis Xavier (1506–1552), Catholic saint
** St. Francis Xavier (disambiguation)
* St. Xavier (disambiguation)
* Xavier (footballer, born ...
Leonardo Balada
Leonardo Balada Ibáñez (born September 22, 1933) is a Catalan American classical composer, who is noted for his operas and orchestral works.
Life
Balada was born in Barcelona, Spain. After studying piano at the Conservatori Superior de Mús ...
's opera ''Cristóbal Colón''
*1990 (October 5) Xavier Benguerel's oratory ''Requiem for Salvador Espriu'', at the
Torroella de Montgrí
Torroella de Montgrí () is a coastal municipality on the Costa Brava, and small town in Catalonia, Spain. The town lies on the north bank of the Ter river, a few kilometres before it flows into the Mediterranean. The beach resort of L'Estartit als ...
International Festival of Music
*2000 (October 2) José Luis Turina's opera ''D.Q., Don Quijote en Barcelona'', with settings by
La Fura dels Baus
La Fura dels Baus () is a Spanish theatrical group founded in 1979 in Moià, Barcelona (Spain), known for their urban theatre, use of unusual settings and blurring of the boundaries between audience and actor. "La Fura dels Baus" in Catalan mea ...
*2004 (November 3)
Joan Guinjoan
Joan Guinjoan i Gispert (28 November 1931 – 1 January 2019) was a Catalan composer and pianist.
Life
Born in Riudoms, Guinjoan studied at the Conservatori Superior de Música del Liceu in Barcelona. In 1954, he moved to Paris and continued h ...
Bertrand de Billy
Bertrand de Billy (born Paris, 11 January 1965) is a French conductor.
He attended a Jesuit school, but only started serious musical studies when he was around 14–15; he studied piano and violin.
* 2004–2008
Sebastian Weigle
Sebastian Weigle (born 1961, in East Berlin) is a German conductor and horn player. He is currently ''Generalmusikdirektor'' of the Oper Frankfurt and principal conductor of the Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra.
Biography
Weigle is a nephew of ...
* 2008-2012
Michael Boder
Michael Boder (born 9 November 1958) is a German conductor of opera and concert who works internationally. The chief conductor of the Royal Danish Theatre, he has conducted regularly at the Vienna State Opera, including the premieres of Cerha's ' ...
* 2012–present
Josep Pons
Josep Pons (born Josep Pons i Viladomat; 1957) is a Spanish conductor.
Biography
Pons was born in Puig-reig, Berguedà. He received his musical training at L'Escolania de Montserrat and continued his musical studies in Barcelona with such teac ...