The Orquesta Ciudad de La Mancha is one of the most prestigious plucked-string ensembles at the national level. Founded in 2011 in Campo de Criptana under the baton of Fernando Bustamante—its current artistic director—the orchestra’s permanent roster today is made up of specialist professors in guitar and plectrum instruments from different parts of Spain.

Over the years, the orchestra has developed an increasingly prominent career built on high individual quality, refined chamber-music work, as well as the difficulty and originality of its programming.

They have performed concerts throughout Spain, Italy, and Portugal, collaborating with soloists such as Antonio Serrano, Juan Antonio Sanabria, Fetén Fetén, and Abraham Cupeiro.

The orchestra also stands out for its frequent collaboration with composer Sonia Megías, an example being their participation in the project Perpetuum Mobile, held between 2019 and 2020 at the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum.

In addition to contemporary music, the orchestra’s versatile repertoire includes original works for plectrum and guitar ensembles, Spanish music, and even pieces from jazz and flamenco. Examples include several productions presented alongside singers, solo instruments, narrators, choir, and even sand-art specialists. Among these productions are Mediterráneo. Canto al mar, Lorca, Invitación a un Viaje Sonoro, Danzando, and Sueños de Arena.

Alongside its performance activity, in 2020 the orchestra created Arte entre Gigantes, a project that combines culture and pedagogy. The initiative has grown year after year and, since its first edition, has been very well received by both audiences and critics.