The National Orchestra of Spain has initiated a significant cultural event by hosting the sixth edition of the Focus Festival, which pays tribute to Spanish female composers who migrated to Latin America. This festival aims to highlight the contributions of these talented individuals, many of whom have been overlooked in musical history due to exile and societal norms of their times. The updated program will include performances of important yet forgotten works, such as the ‘Sinfonía cantabile’ by María Teresa Prieto, under the direction of her great-nephew.

The festival's theme, 'Pioneras y exiliadas: diálogos creativos con Latinoamérica', reflects an effort to recover the voice and memory of women composers who played pivotal roles in shaping musical narratives during the Silver Age. Elena Torres Clemente, a musicologist deeply involved in the festival, has dedicated years to unearthing lost scores that once flourished but faded into obscurity. Her work signifies a broader movement to correct the historical imbalance and restore recognition to these artists who significantly enriched cultural discourse.

This initiative not only brings to light the extraordinary contributions of women in music but also serves as a reminder of the cultural impacts caused by political and social upheaval. By presenting these works in a contemporary context, the festival invites audiences to reconsider the narratives that have long dominated classical music and to appreciate the diversity and richness that exiled composers brought to the art form. This celebration is crucial for fostering understanding and connection between past and present musical legacies that continue to resonate to this day.