Pastorets de Molins de Rei

More than 125 years performing "Els Pastorets" by Frederic Soler i Hubert "Pitarra"

It is not easy to capture in a few pages the history of more than one hundred and twenty-five years of Els Pastorets in the town of Molins de Rei.

It appears that Els Pastorets were already being performed at the Teatre de la Peni as early as Christmas 1879, the year the institution was founded, but the author of these plays is not identified. It is also unknown when the performances of "Pitarra" began, although the oldest surviving program from 1919 seems to refer to earlier performances. The musical direction, as stated in this program, was in the hands of the composer himself, Maestro Miquel Blanch i Roig.

The program from 1926, with a cover illustrated by the local painter Carme Sala i Rodón, reads: “30 years of growing success of The Cradle of Jesus, 110 performances, progressively perfected, have popularized the Catholic Youth of Molins de Rei throughout the region.”

The original Els Pastorets Orchestra

The piano had always been used in the performances of The Cradle of Jesus, and later, the harmonium as well to accompany the singing; then in a time of goodwill and effervescence, an attempt was made (with people associated with our entity and who had musical knowledge) to form an orchestra.

The idea came from an improvisation on Carnival day, in which, without sheet music, some pieces familiar to the public, which were then in vogue, were performed. That day marked the debut of the flugelhorn and trumpet players.

What an effect it was to hear the songs of Els Pastorets accompanied by this ensemble! The tireless maestro, the much-mourned Miquel Blanch Roig, put all his artistic genius into this preparation, and the orchestra of Els Pastorets was, we might say, officially formed.

The group consisted of: Josep Serrat on the flugelhorn; Josep Mestres on the trumpet; Joan Domènech Seguí, as he had done until now, on the harmonium, and also on the piano the same maestro, Miquel Blanch Roig.

Later, other volunteers joined, such as Miquel Rubí on double bass and Joan Carreras on clarinet. For a time, the professional musician Miquel Roca, who had long since left our town, also participated with his violin. For many years, these individuals offered their services with commendable selflessness and enthusiasm.

Currently

"Els Pastorets" by Frederic Soler "Pitarra" and with music by maestro Miquel Blanch continue to be performed at La Peni Plaza Mercè Rodoreda in Molins de Rei.

The performance is divided into two acts, the first consisting of 9 scenes; the second act consists of 12 scenes.

The cast of this play currently includes more than 60 actors and actresses of all ages, with 20 being the main characters in the scenes.

The music is performed live by 5 musicians (violin, flute, clarinet, double bass and piano) with the direction and arrangements of the prestigious musician and composer Joan Monné.

The songs are performed by a tenor, two sopranos and choirs.

The technical side involves groups from the following categories: set design, costumes, makeup, characterization, lighting, props, stage management, special effects ( light, fire, and smoke ), stagehands, rigging, choreography, and dance direction. More than 30 people are involved.

The duration of the work is two and a half hours plus a quarter of an hour break for the half part pause.

Usually, five performances are held, coinciding approximately with the Christmas holidays.

The Pastorets of the Villa de Molins de Rei provide various particularities:

• First of all, we must mention that Molins de Rei is one of only three towns in Catalonia where this text by Frederic Soler and Hubert “ Pitarra ” is performed.
• Secondly, the main character, "Satan," was played by a woman for the first time in Catalonia a few years ago. Since then, efforts have been made to have female actresses play other roles that would normally be male in the play (Saint Michael, Lucifer, Avias, etc.).
• Another fact is that the characters in the work tend to harbor social criticisms, especially from the village environment, to create hilarious situations.
• For many years now, a cuplé competition has been held, open to everyone in the village who wants to participate. The songs can be on any theme, and the only requirement is that the lyrics fit a specific coda in the play's music. The three best cuplés submitted are sung during the Garrofa Wedding scene.