The basilica of the Sagrada Família hosted a concert for the first time at the Grec Festival featuring the voices of Maria Arnal and Lídia Pujol, in a free event that filled the temple with poetry and music.
The Sagrada Família joined the constellation of stages of the Grec Festival on Wednesday night, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. It did so with 'Arrels de llum', a show conceived by Josep Barcons that brought together singers Maria Arnal and Lídia Pujol, along with the Cor Cererols, on a journey through poetry, motets, and Gregorian chant. The event, free and with entry by lottery, marked a milestone in the relationship between Gaudí's temple and the city of Barcelona.
A stone bridge between the Grec and the basilica
The decision by the Grec to bring its programming to the Sagrada Família was not coincidental. Both spaces share a material bond: the stone of Montjuïc. Both the festival's main stage and the first walls of the basilica were built with material from the same quarry in the mountain that borders Barcelona to the south. “It is a symbolic gesture that builds bridges,” festival sources explained. The concert also coincided with the centenary of Gaudí's death and the completion of the temple's central tower, which at 172.5 meters has become the tallest structure in the city.
A lottery that brings the temple closer to Barcelonans
Access to the show was conducted through a ticket lottery, a common system in the management of the basilica to foster engagement with local residents. “It is easier to encounter an American tourist than a Barcelonan at the Sagrada Família,” temple representatives noted. However, the local response was massive: the tickets sold out within hours. The audience was able to enjoy the 'blue hour', that magical moment when the last light of day passes through the stained glass of the Passion Facade, while the bells rang and a text from Gaudí himself reminded of his inspiration in nature.
The voices that filled every corner
The recital began with Lídia Pujol performing 'L'arbre no sap', a metaphor for the seed Gaudí planted when he took on the temple's works. Afterwards, Maria Arnal captivated with 'Madrigal', a piece that, even in its softest notes, seemed capable of filling every corner of the basilica. “Her voice is a marvel,” attendees agreed. The Cor Cererols, from the altar and the interior balconies, wove together the themes of both performers, creating a sound journey that culminated at the still inaccessible door of the Glory Facade. For the Barcelonans who managed to get tickets, the night meant rediscovering a monument that had been viewed with indifference for decades. The Grec, with this gesture, has shown that music can break down walls.
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