The Victoria de los Ángeles Foundation and The Juilliard School in New York join forces to celebrate and promote Spanish and Catalan song
Barcelona, April 22, 2025
- Titled Victoria de los Ángeles Legacy, the collaboration between the two institutions consists of a masterclass course in Spanish and Catalan song that began last November, coinciding with the birth of Victoria de los Ángeles.
- Between April 7 and 11, the spring edition was held, featuring masterclasses taught by mezzo-soprano Nancy Fabiola Herrera and aimed at voice students from Juilliard.
- The course included the performance of works by renowned Spanish composers such as Enrique Granados, Manuel de Falla, Eduard Toldrà, Frederic Mompou, and Xavier Montsalvatge.
- Last Friday, April 11, an open session for all students of the school was held, along with an informative lecture on Victoria de los Ángeles by F. Paul Driscoll.
Barcelona, April 14, 2025. — The Victoria de los Ángeles Foundation of Barcelona and The Juilliard School in New York concluded the second edition of the Victoria de los Ángeles Legacy on April 11, a series of masterclasses dedicated to preserving and promoting the art of Catalan and Spanish song. The initiative, which arose within the framework of the centenary commemoration of Victoria de los Ángeles, was inaugurated last autumn, coinciding with the birthday of the legendary Catalan soprano.
Renowned mezzo-soprano Nancy Fabiola Herrera has been in charge of leading this year’s masterclasses, bringing her extensive experience and deep connection with the Victoria de los Ángeles Foundation as a member of its Artistic Committee. The working sessions took place between April 7 and 11 at Juilliard and will continue throughout the year in the future, with the aim of enriching students’ understanding of Catalan and Spanish vocal song, as well as honoring and keeping the legacy of Victoria de los Ángeles alive.
Victoria de los Ángeles is especially remembered for her dedication to Spanish and Catalan song, a genre through which she promoted the work of composers such as Frederic Mompou, Xavier Montsalvatge, Eduard Toldrà, Enrique Granados, and Manuel de Falla. Her overwhelming career and her contributions to opera and recitals worldwide continue to be an essential influence on classical music.
Founded in Barcelona in 2007, two years after her passing, the Victoria de los Ángeles Foundation is dedicated to preserving her legacy and promoting her passion for music to future generations. The Foundation fulfills its mission through the preservation of her archives, exhibitions, concerts, and scholarships for young talent. It also organizes the LIFE Victoria Festival in Barcelona to promote the art of song, a genre that Victoria championed internationally.
- Preserving the soprano’s archives in collaboration with various public institutions, such as the National Archive of Catalonia (letters, documents, and photographs), the Museum of Performing Arts (costumes and dresses), and the Catalonia College of Music (musical scores).
- Organizing exhibitions, talks, and concerts, as well as new editions to preserve and disseminate her legacy.
- Supporting young talent through scholarships.
- Enhancing academic training through masterclasses and courses with both national and international artists.
- Organizing a Lied festival, LIFE Victoria Barcelona, to cultivate the art of Lied, to which Victoria de los Ángeles dedicated a large part of her international career.
Nancy Fabiola Herrera is a highly prominent Spanish mezzo-soprano, recognized for her versatile and expressive performances in over fifty operatic roles. Her recent roles include the Princess of Bouillon in Adriana Lecouvreur, Azucena in Il Trovatore, and Bernarda Alba in Bernarda Alba, among others. Known for her captivating portrayal of Carmen, Herrera has performed this role at the Metropolitan Opera, the Royal Opera House, and theaters worldwide. In addition to her operatic career, she is an active recitalist, committed to promoting Spanish vocal music internationally.
