Elche will once again welcome some of the world’s leading classical guitarists this summer as the 28th Guitar Festival (Festival de Guitarra Ciutat d’Elx) returns.
Running from 24 to 31 July, the festival will transform the Cloister of San José Church into a centre for outstanding performances, educational activities and international competition.
Over the years, the event has become one of Elche’s most established cultural highlights, attracting performers, students and guitar enthusiasts from across Spain and beyond.
Free preview concert
Before the main programme begins, organisers will host a special opening
concert on 20 June at 21:00 in the Patio de los Naranjos at Las Clarisas Cultural Centre.
The performance will feature guitarist Andrés Rubio Figuera, who won last year’s Calendura competition for young performers.
Best of all, admission is free. However, visitors should note that invitations will be available from the venue entrance one hour before the concert begins.
International artists headline
Once the festival gets underway, audiences will be able to enjoy a series of evening performances in the historic surroundings of the San José cloister.
While most concerts will be free to attend, performances by internationally acclaimed guitarists Álvaro Pierri, Gabriel Bianco and Álvaro Toscano will require tickets.
Advance tickets cost €10. Alternatively, visitors can purchase tickets at the door for €15.
For those planning to attend all three headline performances, organisers are also offering a combined pass for €20.
Educational activities
In addition to the concerts, this year’s edition introduces several new educational opportunities.
Visitors will be able to explore an exhibition of historic guitars from the private collection of Luis Alberto Soria. Meanwhile, researcher Joaquín Fuentes will present a tribute to renowned Crevillent guitar maker Antonio Emilio Pascual.
The programme also includes a presentation of the recently published book La transcripción para guitarra by Juan Manuel Ruiz Pardo.
Together, these activities aim to broaden the festival’s educational offering while celebrating the history, artistry and craftsmanship associated with the guitar.
Masterclasses
Furthermore, the festival will host a series of specialist masterclasses from 27 to 29 July at the CEU Cardenal Herrera University campus in Elche.
The teaching team includes internationally respected musicians Álvaro Pierri, Pedro Mateo González, Álvaro Toscano, Marco Smaili, Eduardo Baranzano, Javier Llanes and Gabriel Bianco.
The organisers have designed the courses for professional-level guitar students and practising music teachers.
To ensure a high-quality learning experience, each class will be limited to 15 active participants and places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Upon completion, attendees will receive a certificate of participation.
International competitions
Meanwhile, one of the festival’s most anticipated elements returns with the prestigious International Guitar Competition Ciutat d’Elx, which reaches its 23rd edition this year.
At the same time, younger musicians will compete in the 18th edition of the Calendura Competition, which is open to guitarists under the age of 20.
As a result, the festival continues to attract talented performers from Spain and abroad while strengthening Elche’s reputation as an important destination on the international classical guitar circuit.
