Classical Laguna Experience: A Festival Celebrating Canary and Latin American Music

The Classical Laguna Experience (CLE) Festival is poised to enchant audiences in Tenerife, Lanzarote, and La Gomera from September to October 2025. This vibrant festival promises to be a significant cultural event, bringing together the rich musical traditions of the Canary Islands and Latin America.

A Cultural Celebration Bridging Two Worlds

The CLE Festival is designed to act as a cultural bridge, fostering connections between the Canary Islands and Latin America through the universal language of music. A recent press conference held at the historic Leal Theatre in La Laguna unveiled the festival’s exciting details, underscoring its mission to promote cultural exchange and appreciation. This year, the festival will pay special tribute to Venezuela, a country with deep historical and cultural ties to the Canary Islands, particularly in the realm of music. The festival is organized by Vector de Ideas and enjoys the support of several key sponsors, including Promotur (Canary Islands), the Government of the Canary Islands, the Cabildo of Tenerife, and the La Laguna City Council.

Opening Night: A Showcase of Talent

The festival will kick off with a captivating performance by the Camerata Lacunensis, a distinguished choral group celebrated both locally and internationally. Their diverse repertoire, which features compositions by both Canary and Latin American composers, aligns perfectly with the festival’s mission to elevate the profile of choral music. In a heartfelt nod to its Venezuelan theme, the festival will also spotlight the talented singer Fabiola Socas. She will present a program that beautifully intertwines traditional genres such as bolero and cumbia with the rich cultural narratives of the Canary Islands. This segment is designed to evoke poignant memories of migration to Venezuela, highlighting the enduring relevance of these musical traditions.

In addition to the opening performance, the young and dynamic ensemble Camerata Magec from Gran Canaria will take the stage, showcasing a selection of works by composers from both the Canary Islands and Latin America. This commitment to promoting emerging music is a testament to the festival’s dedication to nurturing new talent and expanding the musical landscape.

Highlight Concerts Featuring Distinguished Artists

One of the festival’s key highlights will be the performance by the Classical Laguna Experience Orchestra (CLEO), which promises to deliver a diverse repertoire that seamlessly merges works from both regions. A particularly exciting moment will be the world premiere of Phase, a new composition by the talented composer Irene Fariña, commissioned specifically for this event. This initiative reflects the festival’s ongoing commitment to commissioning new works from artists in the Canary Islands and Latin America, thereby enriching the cultural tapestry of the festival.

Adding to the festival’s allure, Venezuelan conductor Glass Marcano will make her debut as the main guest conductor. Known for her exceptional talent and inspiring journey from humble beginnings to leading prestigious orchestras, Marcano has garnered international attention, including a feature by the BBC. She will conduct the orchestra alongside Venezuelan concertmaster Aléxis Cárdenas, a celebrated violinist currently performing with the Orchestre National Île-de-France in Paris. The ensemble will also include Jesús “Pingüino” González, a prominent ambassador of the Venezuelan cuatro, and flautist Cristian Suárez from the Canary Islands, further enriching the festival’s musical offerings.

Expanding the Festival’s Reach Across the Islands

The CLE Festival is not confined to La Laguna; it will extend its vibrant programming to various locations across the Canary Islands. In Lanzarote, performances are scheduled for September 22 and 24, featuring the talented Alexander Álvarez with a program titled ‘The Guitar: A Universe of Possibilities,’ as well as Dúo Roma, which will present ‘Classical Roots.’ Both events will be free of charge and are set to begin at noon, making them accessible to a wide audience.

Further enriching the festival’s offerings, additional activities will take place in Lanzarote on October 4 at the Casa de la Cultura Agustín de la Hoz. The Trío Néstor will perform ‘Ecos de Atlántico Sonoro’ starting at 20:00, also with free admission. These performances are designed to engage the community and promote a love for music across generations.

Key Points

• The Classical Laguna Experience Festival will occur in Tenerife, Lanzarote, and La Gomera from September to October 2025.
• This year’s festival will honor Venezuela, highlighting cultural connections through music.
• The festival is organized by Vector de Ideas and supported by various local government entities.
• The Camerata Lacunensis will open the festival with a performance reflecting the festival’s themes.
• Glass Marcano will debut as the main guest conductor, showcasing her talents on an international stage.
• The festival will feature a world premiere of a new composition by Irene Fariña.
• Free performances will be held in Lanzarote, promoting accessibility to the arts.