Clàssica a la platja at Barceloneta Beach Review
Written by Laura for Theatre & Tonic
Clàssica a la Platja is a free event organized by Gran Teatre del Liceu, Palau de la Música Catalana, L’Auditori de Barcelona, and Ajuntament de Barcelona. These major institutions created the series to bring classical music to a wider audience.
The 2025 edition opened at Sant Sebastià Beach in Barcelona with an evening dedicated to Mar i Cel, Dagoll Dagom’s hit musical, which we’ve covered in a previous review here at Theatre & Tonic. The concert was a tribute coinciding with Dagoll Dagom’s farewell run: their final Mar i Cel stage performance took place just a few days later, on July 13, at Teatre Victòria.
Most of the songs from the show were performed by the full cast in costume. Pep Cruz and Àngels Gonyalons, who both acted in Mar i Cel in the past, served as narrators, filling the gaps between musical numbers.
The performance was very accessible, with a section dedicated to wheelchair users and a large screen providing subtitles in Catalan, Spanish, and English. Some of the translations were a bit questionable, but overall it was a great addition! They also included “Immersive Live” backpacks, vibrating devices that make concerts more accessible for deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences. These convert low-frequency sounds into vibrations, allowing users to physically feel the rhythm and bass in real time.
There were also several large screens offering close-ups of the cast and musicians, which enriched the experience of those seated far from the stage.
The Liceu Symphony Orchestra & Choir, conducted by Sergi Cuenca, performed a beautiful symphonic adaptation of Mar i Cel, accompanied by pianist Albert Guinovart, the work’s original composer. They also played a rendition of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, which was gorgeous but did feel slightly out of place.
The cast were absolutely fantastic, visibly moved by the sight of such a large crowd so invested in their show. As usual, the musical performances were flawless, and the close-ups allowed the audience to connect even more deeply with Blanca and Saïd, the two star-crossed lovers at the heart of the story.
Around 30,000 people attended the performance and sang L’Himne dels Pirates (The Pirate Hymn) in unison as they bid farewell to Catalonia’s most iconic musical.
★★★★★
