The Orquesta Ciudad de Almería gave a concert last Saturday at the Ciudad de la Cultura in Olula del Río in a night that will last forever in the memory of those who enjoyed the show. The art that is breathed through every pore of the skin of this space for the expression of culture was crowned with the music of the OCAL in a performance that was full of magic, symbolism and symbiosis between the different arts that take place in this privileged enclave of the province.
The OCAL, conducted by Michael Thomas, featured María Carmen Reverte as flute soloist. Among the audience attending this recital were, among other authorities and personalities of Almería society, Manuel Guzmán, deputy for Culture and Cinema, and the mayor of Olula del Río, Antonio Martínez Pascual.
This great concert crowned a historic week for the City of Culture, since last Monday saw the inauguration of the extension of the Pérez Siquier Centre, which completes the artistic and tourist offer of this cultural epicentre of the Southeast of Spain.

Manuel Guzmán, after the concert, expressed his satisfaction. “It has been an excellent performance in this City of Culture. I have felt how the audience has enjoyed the music of the OCAL, conducted as everyone has seen with exceptional mastery by Michael Thomas. This place is a treasure that makes Olula, the region and the whole province one of the most important places for the dissemination of art and culture”.
The musical group performed before the large audience that gathered in the City of Culture, the Overture to ‘The Barber of Seville’ by G. Rossini. It was the start of an outstanding performance by the OCAL, as usual under the master baton of Thomas. As a witness behind the musical ensemble was ‘La mujer del Almanzora’ by Antonio López.
Then they continued with ‘Ballade op. 288 for Flute and Orchestra’ by C. Reinecke where María Carmen Reverte performed as soloist. She did it with great mastery and above all showing her great professionalism with this instrument. This was followed by the Overture to ‘The Marriage of Figaro’ by W. A. Mozart. Undoubtedly, the OCAL shone in all its splendour on an evening with good weather in the area.
Then came L. V. Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 Op. 67 in C minor (Allegro con brio, Andante con moto, Scherzo. Allegro, Allegro). It was a theme well known to the audience who listened to it with great attention in the silence of the Olula del Río night.