On 9 December 2017, the Hall of Human Rights and Alliance of Civilizations at the Palais des Nations in Geneva hosted the Concert for Peace and Human Rights, performed by the Gran Teatre del Liceu Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Josep Pons. Held on the eve of Human Rights Day, the event brought together representatives of the United Nations, the diplomatic corps and international organisations in one of the world’s most symbolic diplomatic venues.
Organised by the Onuart Foundation in collaboration with the United Nations, the concert paid tribute to the victims of the Barcelona and Cambrils terrorist attacks. Presented beneath Miquel Barceló’s celebrated dome in the Hall of Human Rights, the programme highlighted music as a universal language of peace, dialogue and mutual understanding.
The concert concluded with the United Nations Hymn, composed by Pau Casals, a work of particular symbolic significance given the Catalan cellist’s close relationship with the organisation and the fact that he had served as principal cello of the Gran Teatre del Liceu Orchestra early in his career. The performance became one of the most significant international appearances of Josep Pons and the Liceu Symphony Orchestra, reaffirming the role of music as a bridge between cultures.