The gorgeous Heredia theater is one of the main venues for the Cartagena International Music Festival. |
The warm Caribbean breezes, historic architecture, and horse-drawn carriages lend an undeniable elegance to Cartagena’s historic city center, known in Spanish as the Centro Histórico or Ciudad Amurallada (walled city). Add a few string instruments, perhaps a piano or two and a bevy of talented classical musicians from around the world, and you’ve got quite a breathtaking experience.
Such is the setting for the Cartagena Festival Internacional de Música — the Cartagena International Music Festival, which recently announced the dates for its fifth annual event, 2011.
Starting on January 7 and running through January 15, the festival is a wonderful opportunity to appreciate a variety of stunning venues (think historic chapels, theaters, hotels, and town squares) while witnessing musical masterpieces. Pianist Stephen Prutsman is artistic director, and performers will include the London City Orchestra and Brentano String Quartet.
It may seem early to start planning for January, but with an increasingly large number of classical musical lovers making the trek to this lovely city every year, it’s a good idea to check your options (I stayed at the Charleston Santa Teresa this year, but there are many memorable boutique hotel options in the historic center — check my link below for a roundup of some of the best).
For information about the festival: www.cartagenamusicfestival.com
For more of my reviews and VIDEOS about Cartagena (including restaurants, hotels, activities and attractions):
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