Albaladre’s music and medicine fuse in a humanist project
Singing echoes as a healing tool in Spanish memory and history. The idea that melody can soothe the soul is a common thread in the group Albaladre. Among its voices are Francisco, a psychiatrist from Alicante, who has long studied how music can support mental wellbeing. He performs alongside other clinicians who joined the ensemble, including dermatologist Manuel Asín and pediatrician Antonio Redondo. The group benefits from Mas, who guides its actions and negotiates with local officials to bring performances to the city. In 2023, Albaladre marked its 25th anniversary with a strong emphasis on community health through music. The ensemble has also drawn attention for performances abroad, including a visit to Tehran in 2006.
Albaladre strengthens its mission with a social cause
Before becoming a psychiatrist, Mas worked as an auxiliary technician and DJ in community settings. He notes that music and medicine share deep connections and recounts stories of doctor-musicians who have collaborated in various contexts. He stresses that in psychiatry, stepping outside the clinical routine can be essential because music is a complex field that enriches therapeutic work.
In the words of the cofounder
Francisco Mas describes the link between clinical practice and performance. He highlights that Albaladre is built on values of humanity and empathy, and rehearsals with the group have been a fixture for about 15 years. The project focuses on psychological health, wellness routines, and the social joy generated when people come together to sing. Even as ideas and policies swirl around the group, the music remains a shared space for creativity and healing.
Manuel Asín on the humanist doctor
Manuel Asín, a dermatologist and partner in Albaladre, notes the ensemble has a long history in Spanish art. The members include long-standing musicians such as Manuel Rivas, a pianist and guitarist aged in their seventies, whose repertoire embraces a wide range of Spanish and Latin genres. Over the years, the group has produced a dozen albums and performed in live concerts with a roster of influential artists, celebrating works by Benedetti, Viglietti, and Milanes among others. They have embraced songs that span sorrow, celebration, and cultural memory, including titles about life, Cuba, and bolero traditions.
Albaladre as a humanist voice
Asín emphasizes a core belief: a physician who lacks humanity is not truly a doctor. The group has made hospitality and laughter a staple of its rehearsals, where medical professionals gather to sing and share ideas beyond clinical practice. This human-centered approach remains central even as the lineup evolves and new voices join the stage.
A doctor is first a healer of people
Asín articulates a guiding principle of the ensemble, describing how the group seeks happiness through music, urban life, and social connection. He points to the idea that music and society are deeply interwoven, and that the performances aim to spread joy to audiences wherever they perform. The group’s work extends beyond medicine into culture and community life, reflecting a philosophy that music is a path to wellbeing for all involved.
We share a common denominator
Cosme Gosálbez, a cofounder of Albaladre, explains that music and friendship are the central thread linking the group. Projects may shift and members may come and go, but the journey continues, carried by a shared sense of purpose that keeps the boat moving forward through changing tides.
Mediterranean Spirit Festival and a live program
The next Albaladre appearance comes as part of the Alma Mediterránea Festival, set for a Saturday evening in Alicante. The group shares the stage with CAMtares and performs a repertoire that includes classics such as My Big Night by Raphael and I Want To Be by Dynamic Duo. The festival format emphasizes high quality performance and joyful collaboration while staying true to the group’s mission to combine healthful living with artistic expression.
Antonio Redondo, a tenor pediatrician, participates as a performer while reinforcing the idea that singing and playing music can be a meaningful form of engagement. He notes that the group’s approach blends health and art, inviting audiences to experience cheer and well-being through live music. The message is consistent: health comes through creative expression and shared happiness, and music serves as a bridge between clinicians and the communities they serve.
Health through music, music through health
Antonio Redondo speaks about the double benefit of the project. The ensemble’s performances show that medical professionals can find vitality and purpose beyond the clinic, and audiences gain from the emotional and social benefits of music. The group traces its beginnings to Manuel Rivas, Pablo Miró, and Cosme Gosálbez, who shaped a culture of friendship and shared purpose that continues to this day. The project thrives because people remain committed to the idea that art and care belong together, a philosophy that resonates with many fans around the world.
In this group, life itself is a performance
Manuel Rivas, a founding member, recalls how the ensemble began as a personal venture and grew into an international experience. The project has welcomed guest musicians from across the Americas and Europe, expanding its musical vocabulary while preserving its core values. The spirit of Albaladre lives in every concert, inviting listeners to feel connected, inspired, and hopeful. The ongoing journey remains a testament to how music can unite doctors, artists, and communities in shared purpose.