Culture may not be something you immediately associate with Mallorca, but the Spanish island has a thriving cultural scene – including art, ballet, opera, and music of every genre. There are several annual music festivals, each comprising a series of concerts over a certain period.
These range from the intimate weekly open-air jazz concerts of Banyalbujazz (July and August), in the coastal village of Banyalbufar, to the holiday season’s massive Tuesday night gigs at Magaluf’s Mallorca Rocks venue, starring some of Britain’s top bands, singers and DJs.
Lovers of classical music may want to schedule their visit to Mallorca to coincide with one of the many concerts that take place during the various annual music festivals. Here’s my top five – worth checking out if you’re planning a visit to the island – with a suggested place to stay in each locality.
Deià International Music Festival
Now in its 35th year, this festival offers regular classical music concerts from May to September, featuring artistes from all over the world. The venue is the Son Marroig country house, which offers views of Mallorca’s dramatic northwest coast and the sparkling Mediterranean. In the late 19th century, Son Marroig was one of several country estates near Deià which belonged to the Austrian explorer Archduke Ludwig Salvador – who fell in love with Mallorca during his travels. Visitors can enjoy a glorious sunset as well as classical music.
Chopin Festival
Valldemossa’s international fame is largely due to the book ‘A Winter in Majorca’, written by George Sand about the winter she endured staying in the village monastery, with her lover Frédéric Chopin. Valldemossa’s inaugural Chopin Festival in 1930 was the first dedicated to the Polish composer, who wrote some of his work while staying in the village. The festival stopped when Franco came into power, and wasn’t revived until 1981. Today there are concerts featuring international prize-winning pianists, on Sunday nights throughout August, held in the atmospheric atmosphere of the monastery cloisters.
Pollença Festival
Started 52 years ago, this arts festival takes place in August and includes music, art, cinema, and literature. Most of the concerts – of a variety of musical genres – take place under the stars in the cloister of Sant Domingo Convent in the town of Pollença. The Hotel Barceló Formentor also hosts occasional festival events.
Festival de Música Clásica Port de Sóller
Autumn brings this season of weekly classical music concerts, which take place at the charming Oratorio de Santa Caterina d’Alexandria del Museu del Mar in Port de Sóller, and often featuring artistes from Germany. The final concert in the series usually takes place at the Jumeirah Port Sóller Hotel & Spa.
Festival MúsicaMallorca
Now in its 11th year, this festival includes performances of well-known operatic works, featuring artistes and orchestras from Germany, as well as the local Balearic Symphony. The main venue for this German-organized festival is the handsomely restored Teatre Principal in central Palma de Mallorca. This year’s festival features seven concerts, between 6th October and 16th November.
