Redeia and the Reina Sofía High School of Music bring their commitment to classical music and rural Spain to Sástago (Zaragoza)

Following the success of its previous editions, Redeia and the Reina Sofía High School of Music reinforce their commitment to democratising access to culture by launching the third edition of the “Música Cercana” series, an initiative that brings live classical music to rural environments far from the usual touring circuits.

The new tour covers four unique locations across Spain: Carranque (Toledo) on 17 April, Aguilar de Campoo (Palencia) on 24 and 25 April, the Royal Monastery of Rueda in Sástago (Zaragoza) on 8 and 9 May, and a fourth town in northern Spain, Oteiza (Navarra), on 23 and 24 May. In all cases, the concerts take place in historical or iconic venues, reinforcing the bond between heritage, music and the territory.

The series, which is free to the public, will feature young musicians from the Reina Sofía School, one of the most prestigious educational institutions on the international stage. As in previous editions, the performers will introduce the pieces with preliminary explanations, facilitating a closer and more enriching experience for the audience.

In addition to the concerts, “Música Cercana” will include workshops aimed at the local community that combine music and technology. Through a virtual reality experience developed by the Reina Sofía School, participants can immerse themselves in the universe of great composers such as Mozart, Tchaikovsky, and Respighi, exploring different settings linked to their compositions; they can also experience the beauty of Vivaldi's The Four Seasons.

Sástago (Zaragoza)

The third stop of the series will take place in Sástago: on Friday 8 May at 7:00 pm, the Church of the Royal Monastery of Nuestra Señora de Rueda will play host to a concert by the Reina Sofía School's string quartet. The ensemble, made up of Issey Martínez (violin), Giulia Cellacchi (violin), Héctor Mira (viola) and María Igual (cello), will perform Franz Schubert's String Quartet in C minor D 703 “Quartet Movement”, Igor Stravinsky's 3 Pieces for String Quartet, and Johannes Brahms's String Quartet No. 3 in B flat major, Op. 67. This programme traces a highly attractive journey, from the intensity of Franz Schubert's early Romanticism, passing through the rupture and experimentation of modern language in Igor Stravinsky, to the expressive maturity and formal balance of Johannes Brahms. Admission is free, subject to capacity.

The event will conclude on Saturday 9 May with two sessions, at 11:30 am and 12:30 pm, of a virtual reality workshop at the Sástago Culture House. This activity will allow attendees to immerse themselves in the music of Mozart, Tchaikovsky and Respighi through an educational virtual reality experience. Therefore, it reinforces the series' commitment to public engagement and accessibility. Admission is free, but spaces are limited. Please contact cultura@sastago.es to book your spot.

Redeia is a global operator of essential infrastructure that ensures power supply and telecommunications. It is present in Spain and Latin America, and its activity is characterised by a continuous dedication to innovation and an unwavering commitment to sustainability. Its subsidiaries include Red Eléctrica, responsible for electricity transmission and system operation in Spain.

Founded in 1991 by Paloma O'Shea, the mission of the Reina Sofía High School of Music is to support young musicians in their artistic and personal development and to bring music closer to society.

Each year, 160 students from over 30 different nationalities study at the school with tuition-free enrolment, selected solely based on their talent. At the School, they receive personalised instruction from the world's best specialists and perform in over 300 public concerts organised each academic year across the most prestigious venues in Spain and abroad. This ambitious programme brings classical music to more than 70,000 beneficiaries every year.

Its more than 1,200 alumni hold prominent positions in orchestras, develop successful careers as soloists – enriching the international musical landscape for years – or teach young musicians in the best music schools. www.escuelasuperiordemusicareinasofia.es