A Visionary Engineer
The city of Barcelona, as we know it today, is the result of Ildefons Cerdà’s vision and tenacity. This engineer, with a progressive ideology and advanced approaches for his time, faced numerous difficulties to carry out his monumental work. Despite the opposition and the modifications it had to make, Barcelona’s Eixample continues to be a benchmark in contemporary urban planning.
A Musical Tribute
On May 9, the Palau de la Música Catalana hosted an emotional tribute to Ildefons Cerdà through a cantata entitled ‘Cerdà: the strength of civilization’. This work, with text by Esteve Miralles and music by Albert Guinovart, captivated the audience with its contemporary sensibility and its ability to evoke the figure of Cerdà from a current perspective.
Outstanding Performance
The premiere of the cantata featured the brilliant performance of Orfeó Gracienc, baritone Guillem Batllori and an excellent instrumental line-up. The work’s eight movements, inspired by the octagon of the Eixample islands, captivated the audience and reflected Cerdà’s enduring influence on contemporary Barcelona.
Deserved Recognition
The tandem Miralles – Guinovart has managed to create a work that conveys vitality and enthusiasm, capturing the spirit of Cerdà with verses that resonate in the present. The performance of the work, by Pablo Larraz and Orfeó Gracienc, was remarkable, demonstrating the cultural vigor of Barcelona today.
A Meaningful Metaphor
The fact that this work has been entrusted to the Orfeó Gracienc, a representative entity of Gràcia which in Cerdà’s time was not part of Barcelona, symbolizes in a significant way the history and configuration of the Catalan capital. This choice highlights Cerdà’s influence beyond the geographical and historical limits of his time.
A Promising Future
The success of the premiere of the cantata is a testament to the enduring legacy of Ildefons Cerdà and his influence on contemporary Barcelona. This work, loaded with emotion and meaning, deserves to be preserved and disseminated, opening the door to future interpretations and recognition of its importance in the history and culture of the city.
