Félix Mendelssohn, A Midsummer Night’s Dream

A big academy of 12 days of work.

The academy of preparation took place from the 18th to the 23rd of August in Valladolid, Spain (Auditorio Miguel Delibes). Musicians worked in Valladolid during 6 days studying and practicing Mendelssohn’s repertoire under the direction of Maestro Jordi Savall (orchestra) and Lluís Vilamajó (choir).

The academy of perfection took place from the 30th of September to the 5th of October in Cardona, Spain (Col·legiata de Sant Vicenç de Cardona). Musicians worked here over 6 days evolving their practice and recording a CD that will be released in 2024.

This 12 days academy included 72 musicians including singers and instrumentalists, of which 42 are women (more than 50%) and 45 are young musicians under 39 years old (more than 50% of the total). Of these 45 young musicians, 20 were selected in 2022 to participate in the YOCPA project.

Mendelssohn composed the Overture to A Midsummer Night’s Dream in record time, from 7th July to 6th August 1826, and completed the theatrical and musical part of the comedy sixteen years later (1843), at the express request of the King of Prussia, Frederick William, achieving for the second time a miracle of beauty and inspiration, during the ten choral and symphonic pages intended to accompany or describe the scenic action of the comedy.

The tour that followed this academy included 6 concerts in prestigious music halls in Europe:

• Musikfest Bremen (Die Glocke), Germany
• Gran Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona
• Philharmonie de Paris, France
• Elbphilharmonie, Hamburg
• l’Auditorium de Lyon, France
• Megaron Concert Hall, Athens, Greece

(August and October 2023)