FIMUCITÉ 20 Red Carpet Gala
Where Emotions Truly Awaken
The foyer of Auditorio de Tenerife had been transformed into a true Hollywood-style red carpet, complete with a step-and-repeat wall. The evening celebrated the 20th anniversary of FIMUCITÉ with a programme made up entirely of Academy Award-winning film scores. Even Diego Navarro, the festival’s artistic director and conductor, embraced the occasion by appearing in an elegant white tuxedo. Every detail had been carefully thought through.
The First Rush of Emotion
The concert opened with three selections from Ben-Hur. And honestly… how could anyone not feel excited when the very first thing they hear is the triumphant brass of “Fanfare to Prelude”? How could you? I could almost feel the dopamine rushing through my body with every passing phrase.
The real magic, however, began with a brief journey to the East. Anyone who knows me already knows that there is hardly anything in the world that fascinates me more than the richness of Eastern cultures. It was another reminder of just how deeply Eastern music has influenced Diego as an artist. He has a genuine love for the sounds and instruments that give this music its unmistakable character.
Where Music Becomes Sacred
The first piece in this section was “Theme” from The Last Emperor. That was the moment I experienced goosebumps for the first time that evening. They spread from the back of my head all the way down my spine, through my arms and legs. Only one thought crossed my mind: “This is sacred to me.”. No one will ever take away the joy I find in experiencing music this way. What captivated me just as much were the subtle movements of Diego’s left hand, delicately shaping the Asian quarter tones with almost imperceptible gestures.
Another unforgettable moment came with “Pi’s Lullaby” from Life of Pi. A piece that feels especially close to my heart because of its unmistakably Indian soundscape. Then, the soloist Aborá Cel walked onto the stage wearing a beautiful pink sari that immediately caught my attention. Her warm, soothing voice was accompanied by traditional Eastern instruments, including the Indian bamboo flute, the bansuri, performed by Juani Cantero, and the tanpura, played by Gonzalo De Araoz Vigil. Together, they created an atmosphere that brought me close to a state of complete serenity. I clearly wasn’t the only one who felt it. As soon as the piece ended, the audience at the Auditorio rose to their feet for the first standing ovation of the evening. It certainly wouldn’t be the last. If I counted correctly, there were seven standing ovations before the concert came to an end.
When You Believe
I honestly thought the second half of the concert would simply maintain the incredible level of the first. I couldn’t have been more wrong…
With every piece, the emotional intensity kept building. The audience found themselves rising to their feet again and again in thunderous applause. I experienced goosebumps so many times that I eventually caught myself wondering how it was even possible.
And then there were moments that brought tears to my eyes. One of them was “When You Believe” from The Prince of Egypt. It all began with a few heartfelt words from Diego. Before the music started, he spoke about how perfectly the lyrics reflected the twenty-year journey of FIMUCITÉ. After hearing him, I believe everyone in the audience listened a little more closely. It became one of those rare moments that quietly remind you it is always worth believing in your dreams, no matter what life brings. Cristina Ramos and Estefanía Rodríguez delivered breathtaking performances. Every phrase stirred something new inside me. What touched me just as much was seeing how completely at home they felt on stage. They shared both the music and the moment with the audience.
Tears in My Eyes
Another deeply moving moment came with the suite from Shakespeare in Love. Seeing the film’s composer, Stephen Warbeck, sitting in the audience made the performance even more special. I had the pleasure of meeting Stephen. He is every bit as kind, warm and joyful as his music might lead you to imagine.
A fresh wave of emotion tightened my throat as the music from Titanic filled the hall. Some stories never lose their power, no matter how many years pass. Titanic is undoubtedly one of them. It continues to move audiences regardless of age, time or circumstance. The Tenerife Film Choir added yet another emotional layer that once again left tears gathering in the corners of my eyes.
An Explosion of Emotions
One of the pieces that touched me most deeply was the “Flying Theme” from E.T. Perhaps the melody alone would not have affected me quite so profoundly if it hadn’t been for the short story Diego told just before it began. His words allowed me to picture a little boy watching E.T. for the very first time. He was completely captivated by the music that would one day shape his life. After hearing that story, I found myself drifting back to the dreams I carried as a child.
Not every piece spoke to me in the same way. Some awakened something entirely different –something powerful, majestic and almost hypnotic. One of those moments was the suite from The Lord of the Rings. The orchestra’s commanding sound intertwined beautifully with the choir and the remarkable voice of Ciro Moreno. There was something incredibly genuine and deeply touching about his presence on stage.
Following the Conductor’s Breath
Towards the end of the evening, I must mention one more piece that left a lasting impression on me: music from The Red Violin. It is a remarkable work, but also an incredibly demanding one, not only for the audience, but even more so for the performers and the conductor. Watching violin soloist Javier Comesaña, the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra, and Diego Navarro navigate its complexity filled me with a growing sense of tension. You could feel that intensity in almost every phrase.
For the first time that evening, I felt as though I wasn’t listening only to the orchestra. I could hear Diego’s breathing. The musicians followed it like a single living organism. It appeared and disappeared just before each new entrance, like the rhythm of the ocean’s tides. Knowing that the composer himself, John Corigliano, was sitting in the audience couldn’t have made the performance any easier. Yet they delivered it brilliantly. The standing ovation that followed was the longest of the evening, apart from the final applause. And, strangely enough, I felt relieved too.
There could hardly have been a more fitting finale than “Duel of the Fates” from Star Wars. John Williams’ music has undoubtedly shaped Diego Navarro both as a composer and as a conductor. And for me, this was the moment when everything reached its emotional peak. The choir was magnificent and terrifying at the same time. I could feel their voices resonating through my entire body, and when the orchestra joined them… An explosion.
A True Awakening of Emotions
Diego Navarro carefully shaped a programme that kept me completely captivated (and, I believe, much of the audience as well). He unleashed an avalanche of emotions that gathered strength like ocean waves before finally erupting with the force of a volcano. A true awakening of emotions.
I’m grateful that Diego is surrounded by people who share his passion and dedication, taking care of every detail. From the musicians, sound and lighting engineers to the stage crew and everyone working behind the scenes, each person contributes something essential to creating an experience capable of moving so many hearts.
Twenty years of FIMUCITÉ are about much more than the history of a festival. They are about thousands of emotions that have found their way into people’s hearts over the years. And after this concert, I know one thing for certain. I am one of them.
