El Gato con Botas

Premiered in Barcelona in 1948, and rarely performed, this age-old children’s story tells of the wealth-seeking, match-making cat who, in return for a hat, a sword and a pair of boots, secures for his young master (a lowly miller) a kingdom and a royal marriage to a princess, tricking a slow-witted ogre out of his castle along the way. From its opening Montsalvatge’s music is energetic, tuneful and full of catchy rhythms, lush melodies and felin...