On 17 March 2026, the Cercle del Liceu awards Josep Pons its Gold Medal, the institution’s highest distinction, in recognition of his artistic career and his decisive contribution to the musical development of the Gran Teatre del Liceu during his fourteen years as Music Director.
The ceremony takes place at the Cercle del Liceu, an institution founded in 1847 and closely linked to the history of the opera house. For more than a century and a half, the Cercle has promoted the artistic, cultural and social life surrounding opera, and its Gold Medal is one of its most prestigious honours.
The distinction recognises the work carried out by Josep Pons since joining the Liceu in 2012. During this period, he has led the artistic transformation of the Gran Teatre del Liceu Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, strengthening their artistic standards, expanding their repertoire and establishing a distinctive musical identity recognised by audiences and critics alike.
The award also acknowledges his commitment to programming that combines the great operatic repertoire with twentieth-century music, contemporary creation and the promotion of Catalan and Spanish musical heritage. During his years at the Liceu, Josep Pons has conducted major works by Richard Wagner, Richard Strauss, Gustav Mahler, Claude Debussy, Alban Berg, Benjamin Britten, Dmitri Shostakovich, Giacomo Puccini, Giuseppe Verdi and Leoš Janáček, among many others.
The Gold Medal comes during a particularly significant season, marking Josep Pons’s farewell as Music Director of the Gran Teatre del Liceu. It follows several other honours received during this period and carries particular significance as it comes from one of the institutions most closely associated with the history of the theatre.
Beyond recognising his personal achievements, the award also pays tribute to the collective work shared with the musicians, artistic teams and all those who have contributed to the growth of the Liceu’s musical project over the past fourteen years.