Residents of La Graciosa have dressed up and are heading towards the church of Caleta de Cebo, the main town on the island. This could be the usual scene on a regular Sunday. But it is neither Sunday, nor are the residents of La Graciosa going to pray the rosary before the Virgen del Mar (Virgin of the Sea). For the first time, they are attending a classical music concert on their own island. It is part of the program of the Canary Islands Music Festival, which in its XXIV edition has decided to include the eighth island. "It was about time something like this came to La Graciosa," exclaimed María del Carmen Hernández, a resident of Caleta de Cebo, minutes before the concert began.
The anticipation was palpable in the atmosphere, although many faces showed that uncertainty of someone who goes to a place without knowing what they are going to find. "I had only seen concerts on TV," explained Juana Romero, "it's the first time there's something like this here."
The Organization is clear: access to culture must be guaranteed to all Canarians, wherever they live on the island. "The Music Festival takes place on all the Canary Islands, and La Graciosa is the eighth island, where Canarians also live, so we thought we should do a concert here," explained Juan Mendoza, director of the Festival.
Organization, authorities and media had to spend Saturday night in La Graciosa. The last boat back to Lanzarote left at four in the afternoon and the concert did not end until nine at night. "It is a way of living, feeling, enjoying and feeling the triple insularity," said Milagros Luis Brito, Minister of Education of the Government of the Canary Islands. "This concert has been an element of recognition and commitment for the Island of La Graciosa, but it should also be an element of attraction for people who live on other islands, and even a complementary element for the tourism offer, for those who come with other intentions and looking for cultural proposals."
In addition to Milagros Luis Brito, other representatives of the regional government were present at the concert, such as Inés Rojas from Lanzarote, Minister of Social Welfare, and Alberto Delgado, Deputy Minister of Culture. On behalf of the Island Council's Government group, Nereida Pérez, Minister of Agriculture, could be seen. The presence of Margarona Páez, local mayor of La Graciosa, was missed, as she could not attend the concert due to family mourning.
THE CONCERT
The formation initially announced in the program of the Canary Islands Music Festival for this Saturday in La Graciosa was the Leipzig Quartet, however, due to a finger injury of one of its musicians, they had to suspend their tour of the Canary Islands. In its place, the Keller Quartet, a Hungarian formation of high international prestige that has been playing for more than twenty years, came to the Church of Caleta de Cebo.
Shortly before going on stage, in this case the altar, about 150 people occupied the benches of the Church ready to receive the musicians with a heartfelt applause. Two violins, viola and cello began after seven in the afternoon to perform the first of the pieces: 'The Art of Fugue', by Johann Sebastian Bach.
The notes of the German composer were warming the atmosphere. And to break the ice and get to the second part, a contemporary piece, 'Nocturnal Metamorphoses' by 'György Ligeti'.
The concert, which lasted almost two hours, closed with Franz Schubert, and his work 'Death and the Maiden'. Happy ending and audience on their feet. The applause refused to stop. "It has been a concert of the highest artistic level," declared Juan Mendoza, "and the response from the public has been surprising."
So surprising that at the door of the improvised dressing room, the sacristy, a dozen 'fans' were gathered at the end of the recital waiting for an autograph. Old people and children looked at the musicians with admiration to which they responded smiling and surprised.
"Tomorrow I'm going to try to go to the Cueva de los Verdes (Green Cave)," exclaimed Juan Rodríguez. At 24 years old, this young resident of La Graciosa who listens to classical music while studying has followed the concert in ecstasy from the front row. "There hasn't been much like this around here," he indicated.
Andraes Keller, one of the members of the quartet, could not hide his satisfaction at so much admiration: "It is a very difficult feeling to express, we usually have wonderful audiences, the type of people so human, natural and simple is very comforting." Keller performed in Lanzarote a decade ago but had never visited La Graciosa. "It has been a great discovery, a very good atmosphere has been created here."
With the nets that adorn the altar of the Church of La Graciosa and the lectern in the shape of a rudder, this building of worship has become this Saturday a good stage for the Keller Quartet. "The acoustics have been very good," explained Juan Mendoza at the end of the concert. "There has only been some problem in the first work since sounds were mixed."
After this special concert, the Canary Islands Music Festival continues its course. On Sunday afternoon from 8:30 p.m. the Kéller Quartet will be present at the Auditorium of the Cueva de Los Verdes, in Lanzarote. During this week he will also visit the islands of Fuerteventura (January 14), La Gomera (January 16), El Hierro (January 17) and La Palma (January 18). Regarding the experience of La Graciosa, among the authorities of the Government of the Canary Islands there was talk of repeating it next year.
ACN Press
