A festive and well-attended “Dansa de la mort” brings the 15th Morella Early Music Festival to a close

The show featured the Gaiteros de Morella, Els Dimonis de Morella, and 150 musicians at the Convent of Sant Francesc

Early Music Morella closed out the fifteenth edition of this festival with a massive concert; the festival drew more than 3,200 attendees across 14 concerts and numerous activities from July 17 to 23. The performance *La dansa de la mort* [The Dance of Death]—a festive, choral celebration featuring Gregorian chant, polyphony, percussion, and dance—included the Gaiteros de Morella, Els Dimonis de Morella, and 150 musicians—including teachers, artists, students, and children—who performed at the Convent of Sant Francesc, served as the grand finale to this cultural event, held under the theme “Virtus,” yesterday, Thursday the 24th.

La dansa de la mort is rooted in the idea that we are all equal in the face of death. In the Chapter House of the Convent of Sant Francesc hangs this 15th-century painting of great historical value. It depicts different social classes dancing around Death. This painting is the central theme of the festival.

The International Course and Festival of Medieval and Renaissance Music, directed by Carles Magraner and organized by the Comes Cultural Association and the CdM Cultural Foundation, featured prestigious ensembles, performers, and artists who presented medieval and Renaissance repertoires, as well as a traditional music and dance gathering, performances by emerging early music groups, and a free evening of poetry and music; guided tours, jam sessions, instrument-making workshops, social activities, and initiatives to promote early music among young people, seniors, and underprivileged groups…

The program featured performances by Jorge García Martín, Capella de Ministrers (conducted by Carles Magraner), the Acadèmia CdM, Al Tayr Ensemble, Beatriz Lafont & Eduardo Egüez, Ensemble Alfonsí, Alessandro Ciccolini, The Gleam Ensemble, Calíope, AVocal & Marco García de Paz, and the Ensemble Andalusí. In addition, more than 120 students from countries such as Germany, China, Taiwan, France, Italy, and Japan have received high-quality training specializing in early music.

The various initiatives of this artistic, educational, and social project have garnered recognition from audiences and critics alike in a year in which it has continued to expand its international reach and has once again been awarded the EFFE (Europe for Festivals, Festivals for Europe) certification, awarded by the European Festivals Association (EFA)—a seal of quality that distinguishes festivals that stand out for their high artistic quality and significant local, national, and international impact.

Early Music Morella, a member of VEM (Valencia Early Music Festivals), REMA (Réseau Européen de Musique Ancienne), and Festclásica, is supported by the Morella City Council, the Castellón Provincial Council, the Valencian Regional Government, the Valencian Institute of Culture (IVC), the Castellón Provincial Tourism Board, the General Directorate of Performing Arts and Music (DGAEM) of the Ministry of Culture, the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), the José Ortega y Gasset Foundation – Gregorio Marañón Foundation in Madrid, Menéndez Pelayo International University (UIMP), the Association of Performers and Musicians (AiE), La Seu dels Ports at Jaume I University (UJI), and the Archpriestal Basilica of Santa Maria la Major in Morella.