Immersion in Schubert with the art of Antonio López
The painter, sculptor and engraver makes his first stage proposal for the Liceu and, at the same time, exhibits at La Model.
The notes of Winterreise (Winter Journey), an invitation to deep melancholy by Franz Schubert, will be played in the former Modelo prison on the evenings of 23, 24 and 25 March. They will be performed by baritone Benjamin Appl and pianist James Baillieu, with stage direction by Bárbara Lluch. But one of the great protagonists of these recitals will not come out to sing or play an instrument: the Gran Teatre del Liceu, organiser of the show -included in the Barcelona Obertura Spring Festival- has invited Antonio López, a painter, sculptor and engraver from Tomelloso (Ciudad Real), to perform the first stage proposal of his long career. A dialogue between the work of López and the music of Schubert in which the artist will give voice to the wandering traveller and his traumas, longings, hopes and fears. The Austrian's work is defined by the Liceu as "the composer's spiritual testament, one of the most important lieder cycles in the history of music and a veritable 'Everest' for its performers". The composer wrote the 24 lieder that make up Winterreise between February and October 1827 (Schubert died in November 1828, at the age of 31). López is also considered by the Liceu to be "a luxury guide" on this journey through the Austrian's music, with the audience "led into the abyss of this inner journey".
These recitals at La Model will coincide with the works exhibited by Antonio López also in the old penitentiary. The artist will occupy some of the cells with his pieces, with creations that speak of the passage of time and contained metaphors. López was born in 1936 and trained at the San Fernando Royal Academy of Fine Arts. He was part of the so-called Madrid School. Among other distinctions, he has received the Prince of Asturias Award for the Arts and the Velázquez Award for the Plastic Arts.
More information and tickets, here.