Miguel Ángel Valverde, the president of the Diputación de Ciudad Real, recently met with representatives of Dúo Belcorde, a musical ensemble comprising Manuel Briega Román from Campo de Criptana and Adrián Fernández Arcediano from Puertollano. During the meeting, Briega shared details about the duo's international activities planned for 2026.
This meeting followed the musicians' return from Paris, where they performed several concerts. In the coming months, they are scheduled to perform in Geneva, Switzerland, and Valletta, the capital of Malta, with additional performances in other European cities.
According to Briega, this tour continues their mission of exporting Spanish culture and music, a commitment they have upheld for over fifteen years. Valverde reiterated the provincial institution's support for cultural initiatives and the duo's efforts to promote Ciudad Real worldwide.
The duo's repertoire is structured around two main programmes. The first, titled “El embrujo de la música española” (The enchantment of Spanish music), explores compositions from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a period when Spain established a distinct voice in the European music scene through composers such as Manuel de Falla, Joaquín Turina, Enrique Granados, and Pablo de Sarasate, who drew inspiration from the country’s diverse folklore. This programme also features an original piece, “Paisajes sonoros de Ciudad Real” (Soundscapes of Ciudad Real), which evokes local landmarks such as the Tablas de Daimiel, the Corral de Comedias in Almagro, and the windmills of Campo de Criptana.
The second programme, “Música en tiempos del Quijote” (Music in the times of Don Quixote), highlights the relevance of Miguel de Cervantes' work in the musical realm, showcasing popular music from that era. Briega remarked, “For us, Don Quixote represents culture, heritage, and history,” noting the universal appeal of this iconic figure.
During the meeting, Dúo Belcorde presented Valverde with a disc from their first programme, recorded a few years ago at the Spanish Embassy in Washington, as a testament to their work and the sound of Spanish music beyond national borders. Briega explained that the duo frequently collaborates with Spanish and foreign institutions abroad, primarily the Instituto Cervantes, Spanish embassies, and universities, conducting concerts and masterclasses.
He also emphasised the importance of the provincial institution's recognition of their role as cultural ambassadors for Ciudad Real. The duo's extensive experience supports this role, with over twenty-five tours in as many countries and performances in more than one hundred cities worldwide. They have completed six tours in the United States and two in Japan, and have performed in locations such as Malaysia and Singapore, where the Spanish Embassy invited them twice to celebrate Día de la Hispanidad (Hispanic Day). This year, they celebrated the event in France, which Briega views as a testament to the ongoing trust that Spanish institutions abroad place in their work.
