Antonello Manacorda makes his debut at Les Arts with works by Berlioz, Debussy and Mendelssohn-Bartholdy

• Rising mezzo-soprano Marianne Crebassa lends her voice to Berlioz's song cycle 'Les nuits d'été', which closes the first part of the concert

• The Turin-born conductor, one of the most promising leaders on the international circuit, leads the Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana for the first time with this enticing program

Valencia (May 28, 2021). Antonello Manacorda makes his debut at the Palau de les Arts with works by Berlioz, Debussy and Mendelssohn-Bartholdy tomorrow, Saturday, May 29, at 7:00 p.m. in the Auditori.

The Turin-born conductor, one of the most promising conductors on the circuit, leads the Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana for the first time with a compelling selection of works, for which he will feature the rising mezzo-soprano Marianne Crebassa as soloist.

The program begins with the famous overture to 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' that Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy composed at just 17 years old, fascinated and inspired by William Shakespeare's comedy of the same name.

Following this, and maintaining summer nights as a common thread and the figure of Shakespeare, is Berlioz's song cycle 'Les nuits d'été', with which the rising mezzo-soprano Marianne Crebassa will sing for the first time at Les Arts. Composed from poems by his friend Théophile Gautier, Hector Berlioz evokes with this work his well-known admiration for the genius of English literature.

The evening closes with one of Claude Debussy's most beloved orchestral pieces, 'La mer', which is also one of the works most closely linked to the history of the Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana, with which the Les Arts ensemble made its first international appearance at La Fenice in Venice in 2007.

Les Arts reminds everyone that ticket prices for this concert range from 30 to 45 euros.

Antonello Manacorda

A close collaborator of Claudio Abbado, with whom he founded the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, a group in which he was concertmaster for eight years, Antonello Manacorda is currently one of the most promising conductors of his generation, sought after by the main theaters and orchestras.

Especially appreciated for his versatility, the richness of his musical and cultural background has allowed the Turin-born conductor to consolidate a broad repertoire —both operatic and symphonic—, mainly of French, German and Italian composers.

Manacorda also cultivates a significant recording career. Artistic director of the Kammerakademie Potsdam since 2010, he has recorded cycles of Mendelssohn and Schubert with the ensemble, both of which have received critical acclaim, including the 2015 ECHO Klassik award for 'Best Orchestra of the Year'. With the Het Gelders Orkest, which he has led as principal conductor since 2011, he has also recorded works by Ravel and Debussy, Mahler and Berlioz.

Marianne Crebassa

Since her debut at age 21 at the Montpellier Opera, mezzo-soprano Marianne Crebassa has had a dazzling career, becoming one of the most sought-after voices in her range.

Recognized and awarded for her exquisite performances, the main opera houses, festivals, concert halls and auditoriums, from the Salzburg Festival or the London Proms, to Vienna, Berlin, Milan, New York or Paris, require the presence of the young French artist.