Perelada Festival: Celebrating 40 years
From 17 July to 9 August and held across various venues at Perelada Castle, the 40th edition of the Perelada Festival presents a programme that revisits forty years of history through opera, dance, chamber music and contemporary creation.
As part of its 40th anniversary, the Festival presents 40 Years into the Journey, a performing‑arts and gastronomic event created by Joan Anton Rechi (18 July), featuring guest artists and choreographer Botis Seva, winner of the third Carmen Mateu Young Artist European Award.
Presenting a rich and multidisciplinary artistic programme featuring opera, dance, chamber music, recitals, contemporary theatre and site-specific creations. Bringing together internationally acclaimed artists, world premieres and specially commissioned works, the programme spans historic venues across Peralada Castle and the Palau de la Música Catalana. From celebrated opera singers and renowned musicians to innovative choreographers and contemporary creators, this anniversary edition reflects the Festival's commitment to artistic excellence, cross-disciplinary dialogue and the promotion of new creative voices.
Highlights of the festival edition include the world premieres of Diario di una madre, by Alberto García Demestres with texts by Cristina Pavarotti, and Aesthetics and Massacre by Carles Prat, as well as commissions such as the tribute concert to Montserrat Torrent and celebrations marking the tenth anniversary of the Trio Fortuny and the Peralada amb Niu Campus. This edition marks both the 10th anniversary of Trio Fortuny and the 10th anniversary of Campus Perelada that will be celebrated by the premiere NIU, a new creation by Aleix Martínez.
Alongside the artistic programme, the Perelada Festival presents the exhibition Perelada Festival: Transformative Moments. 40 Years of History, a project that highlights four decades of history from a perspective that moves away from a chronological approach to focus instead on the key moments that have defined its journey. Shown at the Peralada Castle Museum from June to December 2026, the exhibition is structured around twelve moments - artistic decisions, bold moves and paradigm shifts - that have shaped our understanding of contemporary creation, positioning the Festival as a catalyst for cultural processes beyond its immediate scope.
The programme also includes opportunities to reflect on contemporary creation and expand its creative ecosystem with the Artistic Convergences programme, a series of activities that foster dialogue with other disciplines and formats, allowing the Festival’s narrative to extend beyond the stage. These initiatives reinforce Perelada’s commitment to creating meeting spaces for creators, institutions and audiences, opening new avenues of engagement with the region and with other spheres of contemporary culture.
Tickets for the Perelada Festival’s performances will be available via the festival’s official website, festivalperalada.com, from 30 April at 10 am. Ticket prices range from €25 to €120, depending on the performance and location.