In January 2026, the Cartagena Music Festival will celebrate two decades of cultural life with a very special edition, taking place from January 4 to 12 in the heart of the historic walled city. This milestone invites a reflection on the origins of a project that began as an ambitious dream and, through a clear vision and tireless work, has become one of the most important musical references in Latin America.

The Festival was born from the visionary drive of Víctor Salvi—the legendary luthier and patron of the arts—and Julia Salvi, whose passion and commitment to classical music made this unique space possible. Their legacy today is evident not only in the continued success of the Festival, but also in the creation of lasting initiatives such as the Cartagena Symphony Orchestra, the development of lutherie programs in Colombia, and the international projection of young Colombian talents who have found in the Festival a platform for growth.

Origins

Convinced that Cartagena could be the ideal setting for a unique festival, Julia and Víctor Salvi invited maestro Charles Wadsworth to design an artistic proposal suited to the city. With over fifty years of experience in founding international festivals, Wadsworth took on the artistic direction of the newly created Cartagena Music Festival. Drawing inspiration from his work with the Spoleto Festival (Italy and the U.S.) and Lincoln Center, he applied a tested formula: rigorous repertoire selection, use of heritage venues, and a program balancing tradition and innovation. From its first edition, the Festival was designed with international standards, gaining prestige and credibility both in Colombia and abroad.

Wadsworth’s legacy goes beyond artistic excellence. His decision to integrate performance and education—through masterclasses, workshops, and meetings between young and established musicians—gave the Festival a pedagogical dimension that remains one of its core values.

A Curated and International Model: Connection with Audiences and Global Networks

Since 2013, under the general direction of Antonio Miscenà, the Festival has evolved into a deeply curated thematic model, with each edition exploring a specific concept from a unique musical and historical perspective. The participation of internationally renowned artists and scholars, combined with strong audience development strategies, has allowed the Festival to grow and establish itself as a global benchmark and an essential fixture in the international classical music calendar.

Its success lies in a carefully balanced approach: each year’s theme presents iconic works from different periods in music history while remaining accessible and engaging for a broad audience. This balance demands meticulous planning, which has become a hallmark of the Festival’s curatorial identity. Complementary activities—such as lectures and educational experiences—reinforce the Festival’s content and outreach.

Antonio Miscenà has also led a strategic internationalization process through high-level artistic and institutional collaborations. These include partnerships with the Festival dei Due Mondi (Spoleto), Philharmonia Orchestra of London, Teatro Comunale di Bologna, the Antonio Stradivari International School of Violin Making (Cremona), and the Giovanni Battista Martini School of Bologna, among others. These partnerships have enabled co-productions, cultural exchanges, operatic performances, and study opportunities for Colombian musicians in Europe.

Institutionally, notable collaborations include the French Ministry of Culture and the Institut Français during the Colombia-France cross-cultural season, where the Festival served as the season’s opening event. Likewise, cooperation with the Embassy and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy, in the context of the 160th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Italy and Colombia, made possible the production of Rossini’s The Barber of Seville in Cartagena.

A Showcase for Great Artists and Projects

Over the past 20 years, Cartagena and Colombia have witnessed unforgettable performances. From the historic concerts by Jordi Savall and Hespèrion XXI, to the moving Mass in B minor by Bach with Jessica Rivera, and the innovative La Pasión según San Marcos by Osvaldo Golijov; from operatic productions like The Marriage of Figaro and Così fan tutte (in partnership with the Spoleto Festival), to the complete cycle of Schubert symphonies performed by the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, and the immersive Music of the Universe project by the Philharmonia Orchestra of London, the Cartagena Music Festival has consistently brought world-class experiences to Colombian and Latin American audiences.

Among the participating ensembles are the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Mahler Chamber Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, Salzburg Chamber Orchestra, Les Siècles, Concertgebouw Orchestra, and the Orquesta de Castilla y León. Renowned chamber groups include the Borodin Quartet, Cuarteto Casals, Shanghai Quartet, St. Lawrence Quartet, Balanescu Quartet, Trío Arbós, and Oistrakh Quartet. Cartagena has also welcomed musical icons such as Salvatore Accardo, Rinaldo Alessandrini, Nelson Freire, Maxim Vengerov, Theodor Currentzis, Rudolf Buchbinder, Javier Camarena, Angela Hewitt, Mario Brunello, Anne Akiko Meyers, Alisa Weilerstein, and Avi Avital.

Commitment to Music Education and Cultural Development

From the beginning, music education and audience engagement have been central to the Festival’s mission. Guest artists have shared their expertise through masterclasses, workshops, and educational sessions with students and teachers from across the country. In parallel, the Festival has maintained a sustained focus on lutherie, offering specialized clinics and programs that connect Colombian artisans with the violin-making traditions of Cremona, Italy. A public conference series further enhances audience understanding of the curated repertoire.

This educational focus has taken shape through two flagship initiatives:

• The Chamber Music Diploma Program, developed in collaboration with the Giovanni Battista Martini School and UNIBAC.
• The International Lutherie Seminar, created in partnership with the Antonio Stradivari School of Cremona and the Conservatorio del Tolima.

Deep Local and National Impact

The Cartagena Music Festival is deeply embedded in the cultural and social fabric of the city. Its influence extends far beyond the concert halls: it promotes high-quality cultural tourism, celebrates Cartagena’s architectural heritage, and collaborates with local institutions such as the University of Cartagena, the Adolfo Mejía Conservatory (UNIBAC), and various educational and community organizations. The Festival actively contributes to the city’s cultural life year-round, offering concerts, initiatives, and professional opportunities for young local musicians.

Nationally, the Festival has become a beacon for classical music in Colombia. It has not only given visibility to Colombian performers but has also helped preserve and promote the work of national composers by integrating their music into internationally respected programs. The Cartagena Music Festival is both a showcase for national talent and a bridge to the world, creating new opportunities and expanding the cultural horizons of the country.

The significance of the Festival was formally recognized in 2023 when the Congress of the Republic of Colombia passed Law 2340, officially declaring it a National Cultural Heritage, affirming its lasting artistic, educational, and cultural value for current and future generations.