A Season to remember, but I am certain that 2025 will bring more joy and exceptional artists to the Deia International Music Festival organised by Artistic Director Alfredo Oyaquez. Alfredo excelled this season with more concerts, artists who had never performed in Mallorca before and audiences all enjoyed what was an evening to remember.
I was delighted to be able to attend the concert at a unique venue, a large shop called Obsolete in Valldemossa owned by Michael which sells pieces that are unusual, wood, ceramics, metal art and so much more. You can say that a shop, not a gallery or hall was different for what was the final concert but one of the festival. However, the surroundings and the atmosphere, the audience sitting on benches and chairs made for an evening of pleasure and the creation of such a concert was, as the venue, unique.
It was a few weeks ago that the concert was held but time flies and I apologise for the delay in bringing our readers into this evening of music with one of the premiere cellists in the World, Zuill Bailey, Grammy award winner from El Paso, USA. My article “The Final Countdown” brought all readers into the world of Zuill, his background and his life today. Zuill is friendly, and his character drew the audience together explaining each piece he was going to perform. This in itself added to the evening and what was a bonus was that each piece had a vino bringing, what one could say was a flavour for the piece being played. Tinto, Rosa, Blanco chosen and each vino fitted in to each piece that was being played.
What a super idea with Zuill explaining about the piece to be played, the composer and in a way the flavour of that piece and how each vino served complimented it. I certainly recommend this approach and hope that some of the concerts of the Festival in 2025 will follow this path.
Zuill brought a difference to the concerts that I have attended this season, with humour, friendliness and his playing of the cello was magical. Talking to all, explaining each piece, it’s history and joining guests at the bar in the garden with vino served by the barman extraordinaire Alfredo and indeed Zuill which made for a fun and an evening of music that will be long remembered. Alfredo must do his best to have Zuill return from the USA to our island in 2025. If you missed him perform at festival venues this year then if he can return then do not miss his performances. A huge thanks also goes out to Michael for arranging the shop/venue so well and he has other shops on the island so do check out the website at www.obsolete-store.com for details.
So, sadly the festival has ended but Alfredo is working hard even now in bringing together what will be another successful Festival in 2025. Well done Alfredo and all his team in making the Festival the prestigious Classical Music Festival of Mallorca. Celebrity Magazine is delighted to be involved with the Festival and to bring you details of the forthcoming concerts and reports throughout the season. Please do visit us each day at www.celebritymallorca.es
David Whitney