The VII Semana de Música Sacra will feature a total of nine free concerts, starting on April 1st at 8:00 p.m. at the Teatro Circo with the show Alma y Fuego. Flamenco en el Cielo, performed by the Gemenco company.
The event was attended by the Councilor of Culture, Elena Serrallé; the Culture Deputy, Miguel Zamora; the manager of Teatro Circo, Ricardo Beléndez; and the president of the Junta de Cofradías, Antonio Martín.
The councilor highlighted that this musical week «allows us to delve into the heart of our deepest tradition with sensitivity and emotion, offering us the opportunity to rediscover the musical and artistic heritage that is part of our identity.»
She also wanted to emphasize the role of Semana Santa in Albacete, «one of the most prominent in Castilla-La Mancha, declared of National Tourist Interest, which combines fervor, tradition, and citizen participation.» In this sense, she pointed out that this musical program «enhances it from a cultural perspective, making Albacete a reference of respect, beauty, and sensitivity,» as reported by the City Council in a press release.
On April 2nd, at 6:00 p.m. at the Cathedral, the concert In Via will be held, with the participation of the Orchestra of the Superior Conservatory of Music of Castilla-La Mancha, the Choir of the Superior Conservatory, the Choir of the Professional Conservatory ‘Tomás de Torrejón y Velasco’ and the Choir Concentus ‘Torrejón y Velasco’ of Albacete.
On April 3rd, at 7:00 p.m. at the Teatro Circo, the Municipal Symphonic Band of Albacete will perform Fúnebre y Triunfal. On April 4th, at 8:15 p.m. at the Parroquia de la Purísima, the Choir of Voces Graves Quercus Robur de Villarrobledo will offer a theatricalized concert of the Passion.
On April 5th, there will be a double program: at 12:00 p.m. at the Parroquia de la Purísima, the Youth Choir of the Instituto Parque Lineal will present Vermum Panis, and in the afternoon, at 5:15 p.m. at the Cathedral, the organist Javier Sáez will offer the recital Signum Crucis.
On April 6th, at 6:00 p.m. at the Teatro Circo, the Orquesta de Guitarras de Albacete will present Litúrgias. The music that transcends the soul. On April 7th, at 8:15 p.m. at the Parroquia de la Purísima, there will be the concert of ancient music Ad Sacra Harmonía, by the group Audi Filia. The week will close on April 8th, also at 8:15 p.m. at the Parroquia de la Purísima, with a candlelight concert performed by the Fundación Orquesta Camerata de la Mancha.
As part of the program, the ‘Francisco Grau Recognition’ will also be awarded, established by the Junta de Cofradías five years ago to reward the musical trajectory linked to this week. In this fifth edition, the recognition will go to Ricardo Beléndez, for his involvement, support, and contribution over the years to the success of this initiative. The award will be presented during the inaugural concert on April 1st.
This musical week also serves as a prelude to the Semana Santa in Albacete, which will begin on April 11th with Viernes de Dolores. One of the highlighted events prior will be the Semana Santa Pregón, taking place on April 5th at 7:30 p.m., presented by Vicente Pascual Carrión Iñíguez.
On his part, the provincial Culture Deputy emphasized «the quality and level of music and art» that characterizes this event, which grows every year enriching the cultural panorama of Albacete, as reported by the Diputación in a press release.
Additionally, the deputy pointed out that it is part of a very rooted celebration in our territory, such as Semana Santa, highlighting the work carried out by the Cofradías around it, which has turned it into a National Tourist Interest Festival.
Similarly, Zamora emphasized the importance of programming musical activities and making them accessible to the public, stating that music «transcends borders and beliefs, as it is the heritage of humanity for all audiences,» and he affirmed that «it is a collective success that we, as public administrations, support and preserve our tradition, our culture, and our heritage, as we do through events like this.»