Playing in MCO is always special. But if the conductor of the project is Gustavo Dudamel, that makes it even more special!
LISBOA
The tour starts also in a very special way. For a long time Rodrigo and I have been thinking about this journey. We have never been to Lisboa and we wanted to do some tourism and get to know the city a bit. Solution: we take a night train from Madrid. It’s something different, with your own cabin and ‘feeling’ all the stops. We have a great day walking through the small and steep streets of Alfama, taking the tram 28... 
Train Madrid - Lisboa
Finally the moment of starting to work with Maestro Dudamel arrives, and all the expectations are fulfilled: natural, brilliant, musical, approachable... so the days of work are going by with pieces of Schubert, Brahms and Mahler until we arrive to the first concert in Gulbenkian.
We leave Lisboa after a great concert and having enjoyed some of the recommendations of our dear friends Rita and Seppi! Thank you very much! And thanks to Vicent for the incredible ‘Paella’ he cooked in a party with his cousin.
Vicent's paella
PARIS
Next stop: the always astonishing Paris.
First thing to do: visit Montmartre with José Vicente, Mª José and Javier. Lovely walk and very nice dinner at Hotel Particulier’s garden, recommendation of Christophe.
Great concert at a not very usual time (16:30h) and an evening party at Beatrice’s place. Great to see all the orchestra members enjoying and having fun together not only on stage...
KÖLN
After a free day in Paris, it’s time to travel to Düsseldorf although the concerts are in Köln. 
Jonathan and José Vicente in Köln
Again two fantastic concerts! Julia and I have a very nice and relaxing walk near the Rhine river before the 2nd concert.
In Düsseldorf I receive the visit of my family, parents, sister and nephew. Lovely walk in the city center!
FRANKFURT
Next stop: Limburg/Frankfurt. Nice surprise discovering the small and beautiful city of Limburg and enjoying nice walks with Vicent, José Vicente, Guilhaume, Toni and Javier.
Again two fantastic concerts in Alte Oper Frankfurt and we also enjoy the nice visit of our very good friend Genevieve and a nice dinner at Vinum organized by our beloved Hélène!
LUXEMBOURG
Going on with the schedule we arrive to Luxembourg. On the arrival day I receive the visit of my friend Elisabeth and we enjoy a very nice party at Guilhaume’s place.
The good weather give us the chance to visit the city center in the morning of the concert day. Again a great concert and a reception after it.
BARCELONA
Next city we visit is Barcelona. And to start, we have a party at Matthias and Laia’s place. Very nice evening and a masterclass of our friend Toni: how to make a real ‘Pa amb Tomàquet’ (bread with tomato). Thank you, Toni, for showing us!
In Barcelona we have the opportunity to play, in my opinion, probably in the most beautiful concert hall in Europe. As an anecdote, after we start the second movement of Brahms’ 4th symphony a mobile phone starts to ring. Then Maestro Dudamel decides to stop the concert, wait until the horrible noise stops and re-start again the concert. Bravo, Maestro! And please, switch off your mobile devices!!! 
Horn section in Barcelona
Before leaving Barcelona Elaine, Karen, Javier and I visit the famous market of ‘La Boquería’. Full of stalls where the traders roll up their blinds ready to offer the best of local gastronomic products. We missed you, Hélène!!
After the second concert we had a nice reception on the top of a hotel with great views of the city.
MADRID
Last stop: HOME
It is always so emotional to play in the city where you grew up and to play in the Auditorio, where I had so many great musical experiences... no words can describe it. Happy and proud! It’s a pity that we don’t have time enough to enjoy this great city!
Wonderful concert to finish a wonderful tour with a wonderful conductor leading a wonderful orchestra...Wonderful!
Photos: Geoffroy Schied / José Miguel Asensi Martí
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