Next Thursday, April 23, at 7:30 p.m., the venue of the Palau de la Música de Valéncia will host a first-rate musical and charitable event featuring the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Universitat de Valéncia: a charity concert in support of the Asociación Hogares Compartidos.
This event organized by the Rotary Club Valencia in collaboration with de Palau de la Música de València, this event brings together the talent of the OFUV, the conducting of the renowned maestro Alexander Liebreich, and the voice of soprano Chen Reiss.
The tickets are now available at the box office of the Palau de la Música in Valencia or through its website.
The concert was presented this Thursday in the Palau´s newspaper and was attended by representatives from the participating institutions: Cristóbal Suria, manager of the General Foundation de la Universitat de València; Pepe Conejero, member of the Rotary Club Valencia; Amparo Azcutia, representative of the Hogares Compartidos; Nieves Pascual, deputy director of the Music in the Palau de la Música de València y the maestro Alexander Liebreich. Everyone agreed that this project stands out for its dual focus on artistic excellence and a strong commitment to social responsibility.
Social commitment and high-quality training for a program of artistic excellence
During his remarks, the director of the General Foundation UV emphasized “how proud the institution is to participate in this initiative, which highlights a university music program with a long and established history that provides high-quality training in orchestral performance to the 80 young musicians in its ranks.”
In this regard, Suria has highlighted the work of the UV Musical Activities Department in encouraging the participation of various university music groups in concerts and similar events, with the aim of fostering not only artistic growth but also a connection between young university students and the social reality of their surroundings.
On his part, Maestro Alexander Liebreich, principal conductor of the Valencia Orchestra and artistic advisor to the Palau de la Música de València, has expressed his enthusiasm about returning to work at the Palau with the OFUV: “It’s an ensemble with a very special energy: youth, curiosity, and tremendous musical integrity,” he said.
The program includes the Vier letzte Lieder of Richard Strauss, performed by the acclaimed soprano Chen Reiss, whom Liebreich describes as “an absolute treat. It is a very rare combination of vocal purity and expressive depth. In Strauss, this is essential, because it's not enough to sing beautifully; you have to understand silence and fragility.”
The second part will be dedicated to the monumental Symphony number 1 ¨Titán¨ by Mahler that, in the Maestro's Liebreich words: “It demands total commitment. It’s not just background music; it’s existential. And I think a young orchestra like this connects very directly with that emotional intensity.”
Regarding the challenge of leading the concert, Liebreich describes his work as a conductor as driven by a constructive approach: “I always try to build bridges: between tradition and the present, between musicians and the audience, and also between artistic excellence and human connection. This concert brings all of that together.”
Music with real impact
Amparo Azcutia, representative of the Asociación hogares compartido, pointed out that the organisation has been providing decent housing for people over the age of 60 who are at risk of social exclusion for the past 13 years.
Through a program of social support in supervised housing, the association helps around 600 people annually who are forced to share housing due to their vulnerable situation.
The funds raised will make it possible to continue renting homes at “fair prices” thanks to supportive landlords, thereby restoring “dignity and the joy of community life” to the elderly in Valencia.
The spirit of Rotary: 'Give of yourself before thinking of yourself¨
Pepe Conejero, member of the Rotary Club Valencia, emphasized that the concert reflects the organization’s core motto: “Give of yourself before thinking of yourself.”
´Today we reunite not only because of the love for arts and music of Strauss and Mahler, but also because of shared commitment: well-being of our elders´ said Conejero.
He also expressed his deep gratitude for the voluntary participation Philharmonic Orchestra of the Universitat de València (OFUV), Alexander Liebreich, and Chen Reiss, noting that their presence “greatly enhances the prestige of the event.” Pepe Conejero reminded the audience that every ticket sold “translates into a home and companionship” for those who need it most.
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