Soprano Francesca Calero, harpsichordist Luisa Morales, and flautist Alison Melville. Credit: FB: Vera Town Hall
On Friday, 15th February, I had the immense pleasure of attending a remarkable concert at Vera’s Auditorium, featuring soprano Francesca Calero, harpsichordist Luisa Morales, and flautist Alison Melville.
Earlier in the day, I attended a masterclass led by Luisa Morales. Her insightful suggestions to participants led to immediate and noticeable improvements in their performances, bringing visible delight to the musicians. Her profound respect for Diego Fernandez, a son of Vera and a renowned 18th-century harpsichord builder, was evident. She passionately promotes his innovative work to the public, particularly significant as 2025 marks the 250th anniversary of Fernandez’s death.
Celebrating Spain’s Musical Heritage in Vera
Between the masterclass and the rehearsal with the three concert soloists, I had the privilege of speaking with Morales. I asked her why she chose the harpsichord, and she explained that while studying at the Conservatorio del Teatro de Liceo (Conservatory of the Liceu Theatre) in Barcelona, she fell in love with Baroque music, making the transition to the harpsichord a natural progression.
During our conversation, Morales shared that she is proud to have recently signed a contract with Cambridge University Press as the editor of The Cambridge Companion to Domenico Scarlatti, scheduled for release in 2028.
Beyond being a brilliant performer, Luisa Morales is a scholar and champion of historical keyboard music. She actively revives 18th- and 19th-century keyboard traditions, incorporating elements of historical theatre and dance into her performances. As the Artistic Director and founder of FIMTE–the Spanish Keyboard Music Festival, she has promoted research, publications, and performances of Spain’s rich musical heritage on an international scale.
The concert was a testament to the exceptional talent of the three soloists, and an experience that left the audience spellbound.
To learn more about these extraordinary musicians, visit:
Francesca Calero – http://www.francescacalero.com/
Luisa Morales – https://fimteinfo.wixsite.com/luisamorales/
Alison Melville – https://alisonmelville.com/
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