The Palau de la Música de València will host the second edition of the ‘Compositoras a Escena’ (Composers on Stage) festival from March 1st to 8th, celebrating International Women’s Day. The festival, a collaboration with the Asociación Mujeres en la Música (Association of Women in Music), aims to highlight the work of female composers through a diverse program of chamber and symphonic concerts, family shows and live-scored film screenings.
This year’s festival seeks to address historical underrepresentation by showcasing both forgotten composers and contemporary artists, according to Palau de la Música director Vicente Llimerà. “‘Compositoras a Escena’ constitutes a magnificent opportunity to enjoy and recognize the talent of those composers who have been unjustly forgotten, and to highlight the contemporary ones through very diverse formats,” Llimerà stated.
The program includes a range of musical styles and formats designed to appeal to a broad audience. Organizers emphasized the intention to make the music accessible while maintaining artistic quality. The festival will feature performances by the Orquesta de Valencia, the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra, and the J.S. Valencia Municipal Band, alongside soloists.
Pilar Rius, president of the Asociación Mujeres en la Música, underscored the festival’s significance beyond its artistic merit. “The ‘Compositoras a Escena’ festival is not only an artistic event, This proves likewise a tool for visibility and symbolic reparation,” Rius said. “Programming works by composers means expanding the canon, enriching cultural life and offering references to fresh generations.”
The Palau de la Música’s commitment to the festival demonstrates a “firm commitment to achieving equality in programming and incorporating the talent of composers onto the main stages,” Rius added. The festival builds on the success of its inaugural edition and reflects a growing movement to recognize and celebrate the contributions of women in classical music.
