On September 1st in the church of Canjáyar, the Concert Series of the Provincial Council of Almería 2023 began with the Orquesta Ciudad de Almería, OCAL, which this year will bring the best live music to five municipalities. In addition to Canjáyar, the towns of Fiñana, Olula del Río, Macael and Pulpí will host the rest of the performances, in some of which the Orquesta Joven de Almería, OJAL, and the Orquesta Infantil de Almería, OIAL, will also take part.
The performances will take place in emblematic places in these towns. Thus, on Saturday 9 September, the OCAL (Orquesta Ciudad de Almería) will perform in the Plaza Pérez Siquier, located in the City of Culture of Olula del Río at 21:00, while on Sunday 10, the OJAL (Orquesta Joven de Almería) will perform in the Municipal Theatre of Macael at 18:00.
In its 21 years of existence, the OCAL has become a point of reference in the cultural life of the capital and province of Almería. From classical to pop-rock, passing through flamenco, this ensemble presents multi-sectorial programmes in collaboration with first class soloists and institutions such as the Spanish National Ballet or outstanding national choirs. The OCAL has been conducted by prestigious national and international guest conductors. The Consejería de Presidencia de la Junta de Andalucía, the Andalusian Regional Ministry of the Presidency, distinguished it with the Bandera de Andalucía (Andalusian Flag) in 2009.
The OJAL was founded in 2003 with the main objective of facilitating the professionalization of young instrumentalists from Almeria and Andalusia, preparing them musically in an orchestra. The OJAL has been growing both in the number of members and in its artistic quality, facing ambitious programmes such as Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana or Dvorak’s Ninth Symphony. It has had magnificent soloists of the stature of Ara Malikian and Tomatito. He has participated in the Eurorchestries Festival, giving concerts in Punta Umbría (Huelva) and Charente Maritime (France) together with young orchestras from different parts of the world.