Happy and Harmonious Christmas

Every type of repertoire sings the praises of Mariola Cantarero’s voice. One of the great Spanish and internationally acclaimed sopranos of bel canto in the last quarter of the century, appearing at the most prestigious theatres, Cantarero has forged a career of enormous rigour and intelligence, with vocal and dramatic interpretations of Rossini, Bellini, Donizetti and Verdi heroines, which few can match. She has also dazzled in Spanish music of other styles: zarzuela, the copla or flamenco. To celebrate 25 years on stage, the soprano invites us on a trip around the world with songs in Christmas tones as she performs melodies from Austria, Germany, Italy, Ireland, England, the United States, and, of course, Spain. Accompanying her are pianist Antonio José Henares and percussionist Manuel Luque. The list is extensive, from traditional pieces to those by such different composers as Händel, Mendelssohn or Irving Berlin.

In this charming recital Mariola Cantarero could not pass up the popular Christmas songs of Andalusia (including a delicate song from her native Granada, Madre en la puerta hay un niño), or the music that the audience knows and shares each year at this time.