International dance will be the main attraction of the third week of the Úbeda Festival, featuring soloists from the renowned Paris Opera Ballet. This top-tier event will bring together nine world-class dancers, accompanied by live music, for a performance celebrating the most symbolic pieces of universal dance. The monumental Plaza Vázquez de Molina, a UNESCO World Heritage site, will provide a uniquely beautiful and distinctive backdrop for the show.
The gala, titled ‘Stars of Dance’, is scheduled for Saturday, May 30th, starting at ten in the evening. Attendees will have a unique opportunity to experience the talent, elegance, and emotion of internationally acclaimed dancers, bringing the magic and excellence of the great French ballet school to the festival. The program includes celebrated works such as ‘Diana and Actaeon’, ‘Giselle’, ‘Arepo’, ‘Appointed rounds’, ‘Palindrome presque parfait’, ‘Camille’, ‘Aunis’, and ‘The Corsair’, promising an unforgettable evening.
The week's program also features the ‘Music and Heritage’ cycle. On Wednesday, May 27th, at half-past eight in the evening at the Palacio Vela de los Cobos, the Icarus Duo, composed of Alberto Plaza (guitar) and Alfonso Padilla (saxophones), will present an intimate and sensitive concert. The repertoire includes works by composers such as Jacques Ibert, Santiago Báez Cervantes, Isaac Albéniz, Laura Vega, Astor Piazzolla, Ramón Humet, and Manuel de Falla.
On Thursday, May 28th, at half-past nine in the evening in the auditorium of the Hospital de Santiago, the Orquesta Ciudad de Granada, conducted by Lucas Macías, will perform alongside the acclaimed violinist Francesca Dego. The concert will feature music by Barber and Dvořák, offering a captivating sonic journey towards the New World.
Finally, on Friday, May 29th, at the same venue and time, pianist Zhiquan Wang, winner of the prestigious 2025 Jaén International Piano Competition Prize, will captivate the audience with a recital featuring works by Beethoven, Medtner, Balakirev, Granados, Rachmaninoff, and Ravel, showcasing his virtuosity and profound artistic depth.
