The Tenerife International Music Festival (Fimucité) marks its 18th anniversary with an edition scheduled from July 5 to 20, focusing on the celebration of great musicals, including a ‘live to picture’ concert dedicated to ‘La La Land’.
The event details were unveiled at a press conference on Thursday, attended by prominent figures such as Rosa Dávila, President of the Island Council; José Carlos Acha, Councillor for Culture and Museums; Cristóbal de la Rosa, Director General for Cultural Innovation and Creative Industries of the Government of the Canary Islands; José Manuel Bermúdez, Mayor of Santa Cruz de Tenerife; Leticia Villegas, Councillor for Culture of La Laguna, and Festival Director Diego Navarro.
The highlight of the festival will be a concert on July 19 at the Auditorio de Tenerife, conducted by Justin Hurwitz, the composer of ‘La La Land’, which won six Oscars. This concert revives the ‘live to picture’ format, following the success of past editions featuring ‘Encounters in the Third Phase’ and ‘Dracula, by Bram Stoker’.
Fimucité will commence on July 12 at the Teatro Leal in La Laguna with ‘Fimucité Cabaret’, an original opening concert featuring a band led by saxophonist Kike Perdomo. Parallel activities will include a ‘summer cinema’ in the Residencial Anaga square from July 4 to 6, screening iconic musicals such as ‘Mamma Mia’, ‘West Side Story’, and ‘The Phantom of the Opera’.
On July 13, the Teatro Guimerá in Santa Cruz de Tenerife will host the concert ‘Don’t Stop Believing’ by the Pop Culture Band, featuring historic songs from great musicals. Additionally, on July 18, the Santa Cruz Municipal Band will perform a selection of musical pieces from films in the Plaza del Príncipe.
The festival’s closing concert on July 20, titled ‘A Million Dreams’ and conducted by Diego Navarro at the Auditorio de Tenerife, will showcase monumental scores and feature world premieres of symphonic arrangements from films such as ‘The Wizard of Oz’, ‘My Fair Lady’, ‘Singin’ in the Rain’, and more. It will also include performances by Cristina Ramos, Carmen Acosta, Néstor Galván, Fran León, and others.
Fimucité will host workshops across the islands and launch a new edition of the ‘Fumicité Film Scoring Academy’, with masterclasses on musicals and the composition process.
Diego Navarro expressed his satisfaction with the festival’s evolution, recalling past successes while acknowledging initial challenges. He emphasized Fimucité’s role as a global benchmark for film music and praised the choice of Justin Hurwitz for his contribution to the revival of musicals.
ISLAND COUNCIL OF TENERIFE HIGHLIGHTS THE FIMUCITE FESTIVAL’S “GREAT LEAP”
Rosa Dávila highlighted Fimucité’s significance in promoting Tenerife as a cultural destination, while José Carlos Acha praised Diego Navarro’s vision in bringing symphonic music to the public in an engaging manner. Cristóbal de La Rosa underscored the festival’s contribution to the islands’ cultural activity and urged collaboration between businesses and institutions.
José Manuel Bermúdez commended Fimucité’s ability to offer world-class activities and concerts, enhancing the island’s cultural landscape. He acknowledged the festival’s resilience in overcoming obstacles and emphasized the ongoing support needed for its success.
Leticia Villegas expressed La Laguna’s pride in inaugurating the festival, underscoring its significance to the municipality and the anticipation it generates annually.
