OperaFuerteventura ends its season with Verdi’s “Don Carlo”
With the production of Don Carlo by Giuseppe Verdi, under the musical direction of Tulio Gagliardo, ÓperaFuerteventura ends an unforgettable year.
Event Details
ÓperaFuerteventura will crown its tenth season with Verdi’s Don Carlo on Saturday, 29 November at 20:00, in the Palacio de Formación y Congresos. Tickets are available at www.ecoentradas.com.
The season, packed with premieres and major productions, also marks the festival’s 10‑year anniversary, underscoring the association’s commitment to opera promotion and its solid footing in Fuerteventura’s cultural scene.
Representatives at the presentation included:
- ÓperaFuerteventura officials
- Island Councilor for Education and Youth, Adargoma Hernández
- Councilor for Tourism, Marlene Figueroa
- Vice‑Councilor of Culture of the Government of the Canary Islands, Horacio Umpiérrez
- Councilor of Culture of the Puerto del Rosario City Council, Juan Manuel Verdugo
Quotes
“We are thrilled to have grown over these ten years, and it’s not thanks to ÓperaFuerteventura alone, but to Fuerteventura itself. The island’s collectives, groups, students, and neighbors have kept the doors open for us.” – José Concepción, tenor and artistic director
“A special gift for the island is that we now have a fully constituted Fuerteventura Symphony Orchestra.” – José Concepción, adding: “Staging Don Carlo is a real challenge – it’s one of Verdi’s most demanding and rarely performed operas because of its complex staging, costumes, and technical and musical requirements.”
“These ten years haven’t been easy, but beginning with Madama Butterfly and finishing with Don Carlo is an incredible experience, especially with an orchestra that brings together musicians from around the world.” – Jonatan Suárez, president of ÓperaFuerteventura
“We congratulate ÓperaFuerteventura for bringing the best of the genre to every corner of the island and thank them for the dedication and affection they always show. Involving the youth in our programming is also a priority.” – Adargoma Hernández and Marlene Figueroa
“ÓperaFuerteventura’s meteoric rise over ten seasons has become a reference point for our community, representing a collective milestone thanks to citizen participation. Tackling complex works like Don Carlo—and even producing our own works in recent years—shows the company’s ambition.” – Horacio Umpiérrez, Vice‑Councilor of Culture
“ÓperaFuerteventura is now a tradition. In a decade they have strengthened a project born from the enthusiasm of its members, becoming firmly established thanks to the essential contribution of the people of Fuerteventura.” – José Manuel Verdugo, councilor of Culture, Puerto del Rosario
During the ceremony, the manager of the Fuerteventura Symphony Orchestra, Gabriel Domínguez, and its president, Paco Cabrera, presented an award to musical director Tulio Gagliardo. Councilors Toñi Hernández, Rosa Rodríguez (government group) and opposition councilor Ana Padilla were also in attendance.
Don Carlo Synopsis
Verdi’s Don Carlo tells the story of the Spanish prince caught in the turmoil of the Spanish Inquisition. He secretly loves Isabel de Valois, who has been forced to marry his father, King Philip II, for political reasons. While tormented by this impossible love, Carlo is urged by his friend Rodrigo, Marquis of Posa, to fight for the freedom of Flanders, which is under Spanish domination.
Cast
- Adrián Mărcan – baritone (Don Carlo)
- Ana Carmen Jiménez – actress (Queen Elisabeth)
- Alfonso Baruque – bass (King Philip II)
- Mariam Baratashvili – mezzo‑soprano (Princess Eboli)
- Dávid Dani – bass (Grand Inquisitor)
- Eugènia Montenegro – soprano (Princess of Portugal)
- José Concepción – tenor (Rodrigo, Marquis of Posa)
- Sam Taskinen – bass‑baritone (Giulio)
The production promises a powerful musical and theatrical experience, highlighting both the artistic talent of the performers and the growing cultural infrastructure of Fuerteventura.