The Fundación Victoria de los Ángeles and The Juilliard School in New York join forces to celebrate and promote Spanish and Catalan art song
- Under the title Victoria de los Ángeles Legacy, the collaboration between the two institutions consists of a master course in Spanish and Catalan art song, which began last November, coinciding with Victoria de los Ángeles’ birthday.
- The spring edition took place from April 7 to 11, with masterclasses led by mezzo-soprano Nancy Fabiola Herrera and aimed at Juilliard voice students.
- The course included performances 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 was held for all students at the school, along with an outreach lecture on Victoria de los Ángeles given by F. Paul Discroll.
Barcelona, April 14, 2025. — The Fundación Victoria de los Ángeles in Barcelona and The Juilliard School in New York concluded on April 11 the second edition of Victoria de los Ángeles Legacy, a series of masterclasses dedicated to preserving and promoting the art of Catalan and Spanish art song. The initiative, launched as part of the commemoration of the centenary of Victoria de los Ángeles, was inaugurated last autumn to coincide with the legendary Catalan soprano’s birthday.
As the culmination of this course, last Friday, April 11, an open session was held for all students at the school, consisting of a recital by the participants, followed by an outreach lecture on Victoria de los Ángeles given by F. Paul Discroll, former editor of Opera News, with the aim of enabling New York students to deepen their understanding of the soprano.
The renowned mezzo-soprano Nancy Fabiola Herrera has led this year’s masterclasses, bringing her extensive experience and her strong connection with the Fundación Victoria de los Ángeles as a member of its Artistic Committee. The working sessions took place from April 7 to 11 at Juilliard and will continue throughout the year in the future, with the aim of enriching students’ understanding of Catalan and Spanish vocal art song, as well as honouring and keeping alive Victoria de los Ángeles’ legacy.
The vocal repertoire included works by notable Spanish composers such as Enrique Granados, Manuel de Falla, Eduard Toldrà, Frederic Mompou and Xavier Montsalvatge, offering students a deep immersion in the musical and cultural nuances of these genres.
About Victoria de los Ángeles (1923–2005)
One of the great lyrical legends of the 20th century, Victoria de los Ángeles was born in Barcelona in 1923. Her career took her to the world’s leading opera houses, including the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, Teatro alla Scala in Milan, the Paris Opera, among many others. She was one of the most beloved voices at the Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona, where she made her debut in 1945, and at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, where she performed for a decade.
Victoria de los Ángeles is especially remembered for her dedication to Spanish and Catalan art 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 acclaimed career and her contributions to opera and recitals worldwide remain an essential influence in classical music.
A Special Connection with New York
New York was especially significant in Victoria de los Ángeles’ career. She made her debut at Carnegie Hall in 1950 and at the Metropolitan Opera in 1951. She gave regular recitals in the city, including her last appearance at Alice Tully Hall in 1994, establishing herself as a much-loved artist in the city.
About the Fundación Victoria de los Ángeles
Founded in Barcelona in 2007, two years after her death, the Fundación Victoria de los Ángeles is dedicated to preserving her legacy and promoting her passion for music for future generations. The Foundation fulfils its mission through the preservation of her archives, exhibitions, concerts and scholarships for young talent. It also organises the LIFE Victoria Festival in Barcelona to promote the art of song, a genre that Victoria championed internationally.
The Foundation’s key activities include:
- Preserving the soprano’s archives in collaboration with various public institutions, such as the Arxiu Nacional de Catalunya (letters, documents and photographs), the Museu de les Arts Escèniques (wardrobe and costumes) and the Escola Superior de Música de Catalunya (musical scores).
- Organising exhibitions, talks and concerts, as well as new editions to preserve and disseminate her legacy.
- Supporting young talent through scholarships.
- Strengthening academic training through masterclasses and courses with both national and international artists.
- Organising a Lied festival, LIFE Victoria Barcelona, to cultivate the art of Lied, to which Victoria de los Ángeles devoted much of her international career.
About Nancy Fabiola Herrera
Nancy Fabiola Herrera is a highly regarded Spanish mezzo-soprano, recognised for her versatile and expressive performances in more than fifty operatic roles. Her recent roles include the Princess de 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 in theatres around the world. In addition to her operatic career, she is an active recitalist, committed to promoting Spanish vocal music internationally.