Introduction

An all-Iberian program is the ideal setting to host another side of Ravel’s creativity—opera. Spanish-tinged numbers are scattered throughout 19th– and 20th-century European music. Many were conceived for operas based on stories set in Spain or to characterize one of its characters. This program offers a bunch of such arias, picked up from Rossini, Verdi, Bizet, and Massenet. Then there is also some real Spain, seen from within—melodies by Albéniz, Granados, and Falla. The aria from Ravel’s L’heure espagnole falls somewhere in the middle. It was written for an opera set in Spain but by a composer of Basque origins on his mother’s side.

 

La Location

Villa del Balbianello

From the tip of the small wooded peninsula of Lavedo, stretching out sheer above the waters of the center of Lake Como, Villa del Balbianello…

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Program

Enrique Granados (1867-1916)
From
Doce tonadillas en estilo antiguo:
    1. La Maja de Goya
    4. El majo tímido
    12. El majo olvidado
    5. La maja dolorosa I
    6. La maja dolorosa II
    7. La maja dolorosa III

Manuel de Falla (1876-1946)
From Siete canciones populares españolas:
    1. El paño moruno
    3. Asturiana
    5. Nana
    4. Jota
    7. Polo

Gioacchino Rossini (1792-1868)
From Péchés de vieillesse, Vol. X – Miscellanée pour piano:
    6. Petit caprice (style Offenbach)

From Soirées musicales:
    5. L’invito – Bolero

Isaac Albéniz (1860-1909)
From Iberia, Book I:
    2. El puerto 

Georges Bizet (1838-1875)
From Carmén:
    Habanera
    Seguidilla
    Chanson bohème

Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901)
From Don Carlos:
    O don fatale      

(60 min.)

Access to the location

Villa del Balbianello can be reached on foot via the trail starting from Via Comoedia in Lenno. Both the pedestrian path and the paved road accessible to vehicles are available.
Estimated walking time: approximately 25 minutes.

Paid parking spaces are available along Via Comoedia.

By boat:
It is possible to reach Villa del Balbianello by lake via a paid Taxi-Boat service.
Two boats will be available. Multiple trips will be made.
Reservations are not required; the service will be available to everyone.

Departure time: from 7:30 pm with last departure at 8 pm.
Boarding location: Pier of Lido di Lenno (see map).
Cost: € 25.00 roundtrip, to be paid directly at the boarding point (cash or credit card accepted).
Return time: the first boats will leave immediately after the end of the concert, followed by subsequent trips. We kindly ask for your patience while waiting for the boats to return.

In case of bad weather

In case of bad weather, the concert will be held at the Auditorium dell’Istituto Comprensivo Statale della Tremezzina, located in Ossuccio.

Altri Eventi dell'Edition 2025

ABSOLUTE RAVEL – Piano Works, Part 1

July 9 at 09:00 PM

Villa Carlotta

Via Statale, 5605, 22016 Tremezzina CO

FULL PRICE: €45.00 + COMMISSIONS

Giochi in Musica

July 10 at 10:30 AM

Lake Como Landscape Museum

Via Statale n. 4835, Loc. Tremezzo (CO)

Free admission with reservation

Musica tra le Barche

July 10 at 06:30 PM

Museum of Barca Lariana

Via Regina, 1268, 22010 Pianello del Lario CO

FULL PRICE: €45.00 + COMMISSIONS

Monastic Cello

July 11 at 11:30 AM

Abbey of San Benedetto in Val Perlana

Monastero di San Benedetto, 22010 Ossuccio CO

FREE ENTRY

¡GRANADA!

July 11 at 08:30 PM

Villa del Balbianello

Via Guido Monzino, 1 22016 Tremezzina (CO)

FROM: €35,00 + COMMISSIONS

ABSOLUTE RAVEL – Chamber Works

July 12 at 08:30 PM

Villa Làrio

Via Matteotti, 27, 22020 Pognana Lario (CO)

FULL PRICE: €50.00 + COMMISSIONS