An opera redefining the genre
Estètica i Massacre arrives at the Teatre Martín i Soler of the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía as part of its 2026-2027 season. With music by Carles Prat and a libretto by Carlota Gurt, this chamber opera is one of the boldest proposals in contemporary Catalan lyric scene. Far from seeking aesthetic complacency, its avant-garde score and direct emotional narrative create a tense, magnetic atmosphere where music, gesture, and word collide powerfully.
The stage direction is by Oriol Pla, a Catalan actor who won an Emmy in 2025 for his role in the series Yo adicto. Pla approaches this production as an act of rupture with operatic conventions, prioritising movement and bodily expressiveness as central elements. The result is a dynamic staging where the dramatic rhythm avoids any static moment.
Cast and performances
This opera, which already achieved success in the Òh!pera programme at the Gran Teatre del Liceu—an initiative to promote young creation—is presented in Valencia with a new version adapted for the Teatre Martín i Soler. On stage, two rising voices: soprano Maria Patak and baritone Carlos Varela, accompanied by a small instrumental ensemble.
Performances will take place on 17 and 18 September 2026 at 19:30. Tickets, available from €25, can be purchased on the official Les Arts website.
Context and production
Estètica i Massacre is a co-production by the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía and the Ensems project, a platform dedicated to contemporary Valencian music. This collaboration reinforces Les Arts’ commitment to innovation and support for new creators, positioning opera as a space for experimentation and dialogue with current artistic trends.
