Music to Ease the Pain from Alicante

One minute of silence served to reflect on the events that occurred in recent days in the Valencian Community. With this gesture, in memory of the deceased and affected by the DANA, the Alicante-based Virtuós Mediterrani began its concert dedicated to Gabriel Fauré on the centenary of his death.

Before a packed Salón Imperio, the chamber orchestra shone, along with the Patnia Choir from San Javier, in the second concert of its fourth season. The repertoire served as a monograph of the French composer, with his 'Requiem' as the main course.

However, before striking the first string, solemnity remained in the air with the words of the director of the French Institute of Valencia, Maxime Henri-Rosseu, a collaborator in the event; in which the diplomat highlighted "the feeling of respect and pain that overwhelms us" before offering a review of Fauré's biography.

Instruments scattered throughout the main hall of the Real Liceo Casino de Alicante and vocal artists at the doors of its terrace, the emotion was palpable in the air with 'Tristis est anima mea' by Haydn. After that, the musical world of Gabriel Fauré with the 'Sicilienne de Pelleas et Melisande' for orchestra and the 'Elegy for cello and orchestra' with soloist Romani Cana.

After this version full of nuances and colors, the Patnia Choir joined the members of Virtuós Mediterrani to perform the famous 'Pavane', a sublime display of the delicacy and transparency of Fauré's pen before the climax, the 'Requiem Op.48' for choir, soloists, and orchestra.

The concentration of Estrada, with a prayerful attitude, disappeared at the first movement of the baton, which sliced through the air of the Salón Imperio to mark the first chord of the piece and the first voices of the choir. 'Requiem aeternam dona eis Domine (Grant them eternal rest, Lord)', a verse that turned this space into a mystical and solemn temple.

The strength of the melody also came with the dark, dramatic, and well-cared-for timbre of baritone Beiker López during his performances in the 'Offertorium' and 'Libera me', along with a sublime moment of the soprano Verónica Penalva in 'Pie Jesu', where her crystalline, pure, and angelic voice stood out.

The repertoire continued on stage with the luminous movement of 'In Paradisum', where the Patnia Choir sang the hope of eternal life in Paradise with the Heavenly Father, who rose through applause to the ensemble of artists and protagonists of this tribute. Not without a bonus by the Patnia Choir directed by its titular, Luis Egío Vallejo, with 'Señor me cansa la vida' with lyrics by Antonio Machado and music by Juan Alfonso García.