Nacido en Valencia | Suite for Guitar and Orchestra

Some journeys leave a lasting mark on a person. Alfred Feenstra’s began in the Netherlands, but his heart found its true rhythm four decades ago among the orange groves and light of Benavites, in Valencia. It was there, in 1983, that he composed an album titled Nacido en Valencia. Since then, Alfred has never stopped bringing those notes to life, nor working tirelessly for the cultural life of his adopted home, selflessly promoting the Maestro Joaquín Rodrigo International Guitar Festival. After 11 editions, and having turned Quartell into a meeting point for the world’s finest performers, the project now reaches its pivotal moment.

For this 12th edition of the festival, Alfred and his team have set themselves a major challenge: to transform that intimate album into a suite for orchestra and guitar. An event that symbolizes the consolidation of someone who, although not born in Valencia, feels his roots deeply anchored in this land.

This project is exceptional not only because of its personal and family significance, but also because of the extraordinary team behind it. It brings together Feenstra’s compositional sensitivity, the mastery of Maestro Enrique Roel—who has woven an orchestral universe to embrace the original work—and the virtuosity of Vera Danilina, one of the most brilliant guitarists on the international scene.

Your role in this world premiere

Bringing an international production to life, with more than 30 musicians on stage, is an ambitious adventure that we cannot complete without you. The goal of this campaign is to fund the launch of the orchestra and its professional recording, ensuring that this story is preserved forever.

Through this Verkami campaign, we are looking for companions to join us in the final stretch of this journey. Your support is the key that allows the orchestra to begin to sound.

Will you join us in bringing this dream to life?

The Pieces in the Repertoire

A sonic journey through the work, full of contrasts, sensitivity, and character, in which each part has been composed and arranged to reflect the musical identity of the concert. The arrangements and orchestrations are original and exclusive, created especially for this world-premiere concert.

Ramón, Life and Death, My Car in Valencia, Prelude, Homage to Tárrega, Andalusia, First Song, Return to the Harbor, Music and Wine, In the Alhambra, Thomas, Dance for Two, Carta d’amor I, Carta d’amor II, Wish to Go to Rio, Happiness, Lullaby for Ramón, Moorish Mystery, and Guitar.

The Orchestra, the Essential Ingredient

Orchestra Line-up | 29 musicians + conductor

STRINGS: Solo violin (concertmaster): 1 | First violins: 4 | Second violins: 4 | Violas: 3 | Cellos: 2 | Double bass: 1

WOODWINDS: Flute / Piccolo: 1 | Oboe / English horn: 1 | Clarinet in B♭ / A: 1 | Bassoon: 1

BRASS: French horn: 1 | Trumpet: 1 | Trombone: 1

PERCUSSION: Snare drum / Bongos / Drum / Castanets / Triangle / Bodhrán / Glockenspiel / Cajón: 2

Bagpipes | Piano | Guitar Soloist

MUSICAL DIRECTION

In the composition, orchestration, and instrumentation of the orchestra, instruments are used that, in interaction with the guitar, create concertante moments—such as the piano—and colors that reflect the influences shaping the construction of the work.

The use of the bodhrán, an Irish frame drum, expresses the Celtic influence in its aesthetic. The bagpipes, castanets, and cajón transport us to the jota and flamenco traditions. Finally, the dialogue between the guitar, trombone, and bongos offers a cultural reference to fusion with Latin America.

All of this takes place under the baton of Maestro Enrique Roel.

What the Funds Will Be Used For

100% of the funds raised will go toward covering part of the concert’s production costs: technical crew, production and post-production, recording, and live streaming of the event, leading to the subsequent production of the concert CD.

Every contribution brings us one step closer to making this a reality.

What We Offer in Return

We want to make you a partner in this dream through your support, with unique rewards specially designed by our production team so that you feel part of this very special event:

Music:

. Early digital download of the CD (guitar version)
. Physical CD of the concert once completed
. CD or LP of the work in its guitar version
. Signed score
. Live streaming with international access
. Invitations, experiences, and acknowledgments
. Ticket to the closed general rehearsal
. Pre-concert experience for patrons: private event with the conductor and composers + cocktail reception

Education and Recognition:

. Masterclass in Arranging and Orchestration with Maestro Enrique Roel
. Guitar Masterclass: the creative process with composer Alfred Feenstra (Bergman Interview)
. Your name in the acknowledgments and on the website

Shipping costs within mainland Spain are included. For shipments to the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands, Europe, and the rest of the world, you may select the corresponding add-on.

Want to know more? Our composers, soloist, and production team

Alfred Feenstra / The Netherlands

Composer, guitarist, and Festival Director

Composer and performer of guitar music born in the Netherlands, whose works are widely performed and recorded by some of today’s most outstanding guitarists, including Thu Le, Rebeca Oliveira, Karmen Stendler, Andrew Blanch, and Kristina O. Varlid.

Feenstra began playing at the age of fourteen and later studied at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague, as well as privately with David Russell. He subsequently opened the renowned guitar shop La Guitarra Buena in Amsterdam. In 1980, while working there, he composed the album Born in Valencia, inspired by the city of Valencia, which he frequently visited to acquire guitars.

In 1986, Feenstra and his family moved to a town near Valencia, where he still resides today. There, he developed a business career while continuing his musical activities. He has taken part in masterclasses with artists such as Pablo Villegas, Margarita Escarpa, Leo Brouwer, Marcin Dylla, and Berta Rojas.

In 2013, he founded the Joaquín Rodrigo Festival in the town of Quartell, the birthplace of the composer.

Feenstra has composed three additional albums: Alma (2018), Dejarse llevar (2019), and Seventy-Four (2024). All four albums are available on Spotify.

Many of his works are published by Bergmann Edition.

Currently, Feenstra devotes all his time to performance and composition. His works can be found on YouTube, both in his own interpretations and in performances by other leading guitarists.
www.alfredfeenstra.com

Mtro. Enrique Roel / Argentina - Spain

Conductor, composer, and arranger

Full Academic Member of the Valencian Tango Academy. Artistic and Music Director of the Ciudad de Buenos Aires Symphony Orchestra since 2006. Principal Conductor of the Salta Symphony Orchestra (Argentina), appointed through an International Competition (2010–2012). Guest conductor at the European Music Festival (2010–2011). Member of SADAIC and ARGENTORES. ASCAP Award winner (USA, 2002). Founder of the string orchestra ENCONCIERTO.

He has been invited by institutions such as the Muncie Symphony Orchestra (Indiana), Butler Symphony Orchestra (Indiana), and Symphony of America (USA). He has served as an international jury member for the National Symphony Orchestra of Ecuador and has received invitations throughout the USA, Europe (European Music Festival), and Latin America (Guayaquil Symphony Orchestra, Guayaquil Philharmonic Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra of Peru, among others).

He is especially recognized as an opera conductor for titles such as Tosca, The Marriage of Figaro, and Otello. He composed the incidental music for the theatrical production Los Caminos de Federico. Notable among his arrangements are those for Symphonic Band and Choir of Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Verdi’s Stabat Mater, and Bruckner’s Te Deum, the latter two premiered at the prestigious Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires.

He composed and premiered his orchestral Fantasies Tiempo de Giros, premiered at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, and Imaginario, premiered at the Poços de Caldas International Music Festival in Minas Gerais, Brazil, where he was also invited as principal guest conductor of the Festival. He was invited by the Muncie Symphony Orchestra (Indiana, USA), where he premiered his First Piano Concerto. Argentine choreographer Oscar Araiz commissioned Conga, premiered at the Astral Theatre in Buenos Aires with costumes by Renata Schussheim.
Étoile dancer Maximiliano Guerra invited him to compose and conduct By Pass, a ballet in tribute to Dr. René Favaloro. By Pass toured extensively with 36 performances in Europe, 3 in Brazil, 2 in Chile, and 66 in Argentina, including the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires. At the Teatro Colón, together with the Mendelssohn Chamber Orchestra of Hungary, he premiered his Concerto for Duo Piano, Violin, and Orchestra.
Enrique Roel – BIO

Vera Danilina / Russia

Classical Guitar Soloist

Born in Russia, Vera Danilina is one of the most promising classical guitarists of her generation. She began her studies at the age of five with Olga Odrina in Penza, continued with Vladimir Mityakov—under whom she graduated after eight years—and later studied with Jérémy Jouve at the Regional Conservatory of Paris. Her brilliant technique and strong stage presence captivate audiences.

After winning first prize at the prestigious Michele Pittaluga Competition in Italy, she launched a European tour in 2023. Her debut album, released by Contrastes Records, received critical acclaim. Since 2024, she has been a Savarez artist. Among her awards are second prize at the Andrés Segovia Competition (Spain, 2020) and first prizes at the Florida Guitar Foundation Competition (USA, 2021) and the Iserlohn Guitar Competition (Germany, 2022).
www.veradanilina.com

Art Dir. Lia Parsons / Argentina

Graphic Designer

Graphic and digital designer dedicated to providing communication solutions for cultural projects and events, such as theatrical productions, concert series, festivals, campaigns, cultural spaces, catalogs, events, and prominent personalities.

In her role as Art Director, she has worked on more than 100 theatrical productions for various theaters, including Teatro La Comedia, Teatro Apolo, Teatro ND Ateneo, and Teatro General San Martín, among others. She has also designed installations and graphic campaigns for cultural and heritage spaces, including the Borges Cultural Center, the Ministry of Culture of the City of Buenos Aires (Museum Network), and the Ricardo Rojas House Museum, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Currently based in Spain, she has been commissioned from different parts of the world, including New York (USA), Frankfurt (Germany), Madrid, Valencia, and Murcia (Spain), India, Chile, Mexico, and Buenos Aires (Argentina).
www.liaparsonsdesign.es

12th Maestro Joaquín Rodrigo International Guitar Festival / Valencia – Spain

The Joaquín Rodrigo International Guitar Festival has been held in Quartell since 2015. It was founded by Dutch guitarist Alfred Feenstra, a resident of the neighboring town of Benavites, as a tribute to the great master Joaquín Rodrigo. Historical records show that Rodrigo’s roots come from the Vall de Segó, specifically from the towns of Les Valls and Almenara. His father, Joaquín Rodrigo Peirats, was from Almenara, and his mother, Juana Vidre Ribelles, from Quartell.

This legacy inspired the creation of an annual tribute to celebrate and keep alive the music and memory of this genius. As is well known, Joaquín Rodrigo i Vidre, the most universal Valencian composer of the 20th century, loved the guitar and was one of the few composers to recognize it as a suitable instrument for orchestral performance—something unthinkable for a long time. This is a double reason why the guitar takes center stage in a festival bearing his name.

Over the 11 editions held so far, the festival has presented numerous concerts by prestigious classical and flamenco guitarists, as well as masterclasses in classical guitar, flamenco guitar, and flamenco dance. Artists and students from all over the world have attended, including from Australia, Chile, England, the Netherlands, Germany, the USA, Vietnam, and France.
www.guitarraquartell.com

Planned Schedule

The project will be launched on Verkami in January 2026, with a 40-day campaign, in order to begin production of the concert in February 2026.

Premiere: June 21, 2026.

The CD recording will take place live on the day of the concert.

Once the recording is completed, we will immediately begin the editing, mixing, and graphic design work for the production of the CD/LP.

We estimate that physical copies will be available between late August and September 2026.

To stay informed about all the latest updates, follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

+ Info

Follow the project and keep up with all stages of the process at www.guitarraquartell.com

We are also on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.