Festival Pablo Casals de Prades
Every July and August, the medieval town of Prades becomes an unlikely global stage for chamber music, honouring the great Catalan cellist Pablo Casals who lived here in exile for over two decades. The festival he founded in 1950 still draws internationally acclaimed soloists and ensembles to perform in the extraordinary setting of the Romanesque church of Saint-Pierre de Prades.
A Festival Born from Exile
Pablo Casals fled Franco's Spain in 1939 and settled in Prades, refusing to perform publicly as a protest against regimes that recognised Franco's government. His self-imposed silence lasted until 1950, when American violinist Alexander Schneider persuaded him to play for the festival's inaugural edition — a moment that reverberated through the music world.
The church of Saint-Pierre, with its soaring 12th-century nave and remarkable acoustics, remains the festival's beating heart. Sitting on a wooden chair as a string quartet fills that ancient stone space is an experience that stays with you long after the last note fades.
Planning Your Visit
The festival typically runs from late July through early August, with concerts most evenings and some afternoon masterclasses open to the public. Tickets sell out quickly for headline nights, so book through the official Festival Pablo Casals website at least a month in advance.
Prades itself is small enough to walk everywhere, and the festival atmosphere spills into the cafés and squares around the church. Arrive early to secure a seat on the terrace of a nearby bar and watch musicians and music-lovers mingle over a glass of Roussillon rosé.
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