The Sunday of Almeria’s Apolo Theater was a significant day for music and culture. The title ‘Pride and Freedom” was chosen as the title for this innovative, creative, socially responsible, and most importantly, vindictive concert. Once again, the City of Almeria Orchestra demonstrates its commitment to Almeria society on all levels. It is because OCAL celebrated LGTBI Pride in a way it knows best: with music and flags filling the Apolo Theater, as part of the Culture and Education Area program of Almeria City Council.
Michael Thomas, Orchestra director, was given a commission by the Federico Garcia Lorca Foundation. Laura, Laura’s niece, asked him to create a work that was inspired by ‘Poeta en Nueva York. She created a repertoire which was published at the Isabel La Catolica Theater, Granada but never published. The Teatro Apolo was the venue where the OCAL retrieved the list of songs that the formation had performed to celebrate LGTBI Pride. It became, in the words its director, one of Europe’s most avant-garde orchestras.
Almeria’s streets are filled with summer air, and the Mediterranean smell and saltpeter begin to dominate the lives of residents and tourists. Many of the public, who had just arrived from the most beautiful beaches in the province, witnessed how the OCAL took them on the ‘Lorquian Boat’. Michael Thomas was at the helm, and some sailors changed the traditional orchestra outfit to include colorful flower shirts.
The Apolo stalls spectators recited, “They do everything,” referring to the concert and the OCAL’s trajectory. An Orchestra that breaks down structures and earns respect for concert hits, creativity, and commitment, an orchestra fit for a city. This is a formation that has won the admiration of Almeria’s people. Every day, the OCAL is a cultural treasure of Almeria.
The concert demonstrated that music and culture can be used to make the most profound social changes. The concert featured a program featuring musical pieces by gay composers such as Pyotr Tachikovsky.
Each note was played in the charming Bishop Obrera Theater, making it a party. Astonished and amazed, the public witnessed one of the most important afternoons OCAL has ever given to Almeria over the past five years. Before the perfect combination string music, flutes, piano, and vocals, the applause multiplied. The master Michael Thomas sang to the delight of the audience.
OCAL is made up young musicians who are eager to share their stories and who also want to explore new musical possibilities. The concert’s title was “Pride and Freedom” and can be used to show the pride of an Orchestra that strives for creativity and the freedom granted by Michael Thomas to direct it. The OCAL has brought joy to the hearts of Almeria by bringing out the best in people. Through its music, the OCAL is a vehicle for culture and values in Almeria. OCAL’s music is universal.
