Teatro Chapí
A cultural venue for the festival
The Chapí Theatre, an architectural gem of Villena and a cultural icon of the city, also plays a leading role during the Moors and Christians Festival. Opened in 1925 and dedicated to Villena composer Ruperto Chapí, this elegant building not only hosts shows and performances throughout the year, but also becomes a festive meeting point every September.
Its strategic location, right in the city centre, and its symbolic value as a cultural space make the Chapí Theatre one of the most special places to experience the festival in a unique way.
September 4th Concert by the Villena Municipal Music Band
A sonic tribute to the festival
One of the most anticipated events in the festival program is the Concert by the Villena Municipal Music Band at the Chapí Theatre, held on September 4th, the eve of the official start of the festival.
This concert is a tribute to the festive music and cultural roots of Villena. In it, the band plays pasodobles and Moorish and Christian marches, many of them composed by local musicians, which serve as the soundtrack to the parades and pageantry. It’s a perfect moment for the public, both local and visiting, to soak up the musical essence of the festival before seeing it in the streets.
The Villena Municipal Music Band: the soul of the festivities
To speak of the Villena Municipal Music Band’s concert at the Chapí Theatre is to speak of one of the most anticipated and thrilling moments on the festival calendar. Founded in the 19th century, the band is much more than a group of musicians it is the very soul of the Moors and Christians Festival. With mastery and passion, they transport the audience to the festively decorated streets, anticipate the majestic passage of a squadron, and evoke the elegance of the pageantry with just a few notes.
Their concert repertoire is a tribute to festive music in all its forms: pasodobles, Moorish marches, and Christian marches performed with precision and heartfelt feeling. Many of the pieces are composed by local artists, making each performance a homage to Villena and its rich history.
The Municipal Band not only accompanies the comparsas during the parades but also embodies the unity and festive pride of the entire city. Their presence at the Chapí Theatre on the eve of the festivities marks the emotional start to six days filled with music, fireworks, and tradition.