soprano Iria Goti and baritone Alexander Sanchez, accompanied on piano by Jose Alberto Sanco, are students of the Refinement Center at the Palau de les Arts de València. They again grace the IVAM-CADA space in Alcoy with an intimate opera recital that blends vocal prowess with refined musical balance, inviting lovers of the lyric stage to experience a refined evening of singing in a gallery setting that emphasizes the synergy between visual art and live performance.
The concert program, presented on Fridays at 18:00 through April, traces a diverse arc through late Romantic and early modern repertoire. It features the eternal lament from Ruggero Leoncavallo, a centerpiece that demands dramatic shading and vocal resilience; the poignant lament from Enrique Granados, which offers color, nuance, and a distinctly Spanish sensibility; and the Vocalise-Étude in the form of a habanera by Maurice Ravel, a piece that challenges both phrasing and coloristic precision. The program also surveys works by other composers, including Gustav Mahler and Antonio García Abril, weaving together a spectrum of emotions from mournful intensity to lyrical tenderness, all interpreted by a young cast learning to carry large expressive arcs in compact spaces.
This recital, which was complemented by a subsequent performance the following Saturday at the Valencia IVAM Center Julio González, began at 18:00 and occurred within the framework of the collaboration between the Valencian Institute of Modern Art and the Palau de les Arts. The partnership emphasizes the exchange of ideas between contemporary visual art spaces and classical music performance venues, creating opportunities for audiences to engage with opera in unexpected urban settings. The shared effort underscores a commitment to seasonal programming that makes high-quality singing accessible to a broader public, while enhancing the cultural vitality of Alcoy and Valencia alike.
The agreement that ties these institutions together was envisioned to bring opera to Alcoy’s IVAM headquarters last year and continues to offer live and small-format opera recitals on a monthly basis at IVAM venues. This ongoing series serves as a bridge between artistic creation and community access, inviting residents and visitors to discover operatic art forms in a setting that respects both the intimacy of chamber music and the grandeur of full-scale production. In doing so, it helps demystify opera for new listeners while providing a platform for emerging artists to develop stage presence and interpretive confidence in a supportive environment.
Events are free until capacity is reached, making these performances an inviting option for culture seekers who value accessible, high-quality programming. For those seeking more information or wanting to learn about the current and future schedule, the museum maintains a dedicated program page with details on dates, artists, and repertoire. The collaboration is frequently cited as a model of cross-institutional cultural exchange that expands the reach of both institutions and strengthens the region’s artistic ecosystem. As such, attendees are encouraged to check the IVAM or Palau de les Arts websites for the latest updates and ticketing information, and may find it useful to follow the venues’ announcements for future additions to the series, including opportunities to experience opera in intimate venues that foreground musical storytelling and dramatic nuance. Inquiries about accessibility and seating can often be addressed through the museums’ information desks or program coordinators, ensuring an inclusive experience for a diverse audience. Cited sources provide further context on the collaboration and its impact on contemporary cultural life in the Valencian Community.