Books, Music and Culture
Recent best-sellers related with Barcelona and Catalonia
Looking for the next novel to read? Here is a selection of best-sellers that can be easily found in major on-line bookstores and duty-free shops.
Enjoy your reading!
 | Cathedral of the Sea (By Ildefonso Falcones): In the 14th century, Catalonia's ships dominated the western Mediterranean. Barcelona's Santa Maria del Mar church was built in 54 years in this century, so quickly as cathedrals go that it is all in one style, a high, spacious, unadorned Gothic. Arnau, the main character in this novel, sees the cathedral start and lives to celebrate its completion. Born a serf, he survives perils, saves Barcelona from Pedro the Cruel of Castile, and is made a baron. His evil enemies plot to have him away from the city's political life. His lifelong goodness to his fellow-workers, to clients and to outcasts such as the Moors and Jews will make things change for the good. |
 | The Shadow of the Wind (By Carlos Ruiz Zafón): The novel, set in post- Spanish Civil War Barcelona, concerns a young boy, Daniel. Just after the war, Daniel's father takes him to the secret Cemetery of Forgotten Books, a huge library of old, forgotten titles lovingly preserved by a select few initiates. According to tradition, everyone initiated to this secret place is allowed to take one book from it, and must protect it for life. Daniel selects a book called The Shadow of the Wind by Julián Carax. That night he takes the book home and reads it, completely engrossed. Daniel then attempts to look for other books by this unknown author, but can find none. All he comes across are stories of a strange man - calling himself Laín Coubert, after a character in the book who happens to be the Devil - who has been seeking out Carax' books for decades, buying them all and burning them. Terrified, Daniel returns the book to the Cemetery of Forgotten Books but continues to seek out the story of the elusive author. In doing so Daniel becomes entangled in an age old conflict that began with the author himself. |
 | The Cellar (La Bodega, by Noah Gordon): The Bodega a story of political intrigue winemaking and love set in Catalonia in the late 19th century. While it is the author's literary tribute to Spain The Bodega is a universal story sure to captivate Noah Gordon's readers all over the world. As his father’s second-born son, Josep Alvarez will not inherit his family’s land in the tiny grape-growing village of Santa Eulália. In love but unable to support a wife, he is caught up in the meatgrinder of the Carlist War. How he survives a bloody political intrigue and evolves into a maker of fine wines becomes is the new story that Noah Gordon brings to us in his new best-seller. |
Music & concerts
Palau de la Música Catalana (Concert Hall):Built between 1905 and 1908 as a headquarters for the Orfeó Català and funded by popular donations, it constitutes a symbolic and sentimental heritage of an entire city that identifies with its history. In addition, the Concert Hall -one of the most representative buildings of Catalan Modernist style- has been the privileged stage for the national and international concert life of the city of Barcelona for one hundred years. Concerts in March-April'09: Requiem (Mozart), Elies Op. 70 (Mendelssohn), etc. For more information and tickets, please, visit the official website.
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| El Liceu (Opera House): Barcelona's Opera House was originally opened in 1847. It is one of the world's finest and biggest stage and acoustic settings for opera, and one of the most important opera houses in the country. Most of the building was destroyed by fire in 1994 and was rebuilt shortly after. It can be easily spotted while walking along the famous and colorful Les Rambles street. On play in March-April'09: The Mastersingers of Nuremberg (R. Wagner). For more information and tickets, please, visit the official website. |  |
L'Auditori (Concert House): L'Auditori, a modern concert house sitting on the area of Plaça de les Glories, opened doors in March 1999. It is home to Barcelona's Symphonic Orchestra and also features a truly international concert programme. Concerts in March-April'09: Schönberg, Brahms, Strauss, etc. For more information and tickets, please, visit the official website.
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Culture
The city of Barcelona offers an endless list of museums, cultural events, exhibition centers, international festivals, etc that will make your stay an enjoyable experience.
For the most updated information, you can contact Barcelona's Tourist Board official website.
