Vienna Philharmonic chooses Sagrada Família for Anton Bruckner concert

The Sagrada Família is the venue for the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra's special concert to be held on 18 September in the Basilica.

The event was officially announced to the media today at a press conference held at the Basilica and attended by EBU Media Director Jean Philip de Tender (via videocall), RTVE Director of Entertainment and Outreach Ana Maria Bordas, President of the Vienna Philharmonic Prof. Daniel Froschauer, General President of Fondazione Pro Musica e Arte Sacra Dr. Hans-Albert Courtial, and Auxiliary Bishop of Barcelona Mons. Sergi Gordo Rodríguez, trustee of the Junta Constructora de la Sagrada Família.  

The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra (VPO) is performing the complete symphonies of Anton Bruckner in several cathedrals and major churches throughout Europe as part of a project running from 2018 to 2024, promoted by the Fondazione Pro Musica e Arte Sacra.

The concert in the Basilica, the third in this series, will consist of Anton Bruckner's Symphony  No. 4 "Romantic" under the baton of maestro Christian Thielemann. It will be completed with a piece of music specially commissioned by the Philharmonic to the Canadian composer Samy Moussa.

RTVE will present the symphonic concert for the EBU, promoted by the Fondazione Pro Musica e Arte Sacra.

The day before, 17 September, there will be a dress rehearsal open to the public, at the same time, with the intention of bringing culture and the Sagrada Família closer to the citizens of Barcelona. Information on how to obtain invitations will be posted on the Sagrada Família website and social networks in September.