On Sunday 22 February in Los Angeles, CA, the Barça Legends delegation met with representatives of the Orfeó Català, the choir who are in the city to perform three high-profile concerts conducted by the renowned Gustavo Dudamel together with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra.

During the meeting, the Barça Legends players, who just a few hours later would face Real Madrid Legends at BMO Stadium in a game that ended 1–1, presented the group with a personalised shirt bearing the choir’s name. In return, the choir offered a commemorative gift marking its debut in Los Angeles, in a symbolic exchange that strengthens the ties between two institutions historically linked and deeply rooted in Catalonia.

In February 2022, FC Barcelona signed a collaboration agreement with the Fundació Orfeó Català–Palau de la Música Catalana (Fundació OC–PMC) with the aim of promoting culture among club members, athletes and employees. The coincidence of both organisations in LA highlighted the power of culture and sport as vehicles for international outreach. While it is well-known that the Barça Legends aim to contribute to the global projection of the Barça brand and to spread the values of FC Barcelona, many of these values (such as excellence, commitment, teamwork and the desire to carry the name of Catalonia around the world) are shared by the Orfeó Català.

101 years later

The Orfeó Català has made its debut in the United States with three concerts in Los Angeles, performing Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis, a landmark moment in the history of the choir, founded in 1891.

Just over a century ago, in 1925, the Orfeó Català also enjoyed a significant international experience when it travelled to Rome for a series of concerts and cultural visits. The success of that trip was celebrated with a tribute match at Barça's Les Corts stadium, which turned out to be a turning point in the club's history. Shortly afterwards, the dictatorship of General Miguel Primo de Rivera shut down both institutions following the whistling by the 14,000 spectators of the Spanish anthem before kick-off.

Legends and supporters’ clubs

In the hours leading up to the match between Barça Legends and Real Madrid Legends, a meeting was also held with Barça penyes in and around Los Angeles. A group of Legends players met with around fifty supporters from the peñas of San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Fresno and Tampico (Mexico).

 

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