The Role of Intense Musical Experiences in Enhancing Audience Engagement at Classical Music Festivals

Classical music events are experiencing a sustained decline in participation, marked by falling ticket sales and a persistent challenge in cultivating enduring interest, particularly among younger demographics. This trend, observed across Western contexts, has prompted extensive research into economic, social, and cultural drivers, yet the emotional dimensions of these events remain underexplored. This study investigates the multifaceted challenges facing classical music festivals through an in-depth case study of Quincena Musical in the Basque Country, Spain, a festival emblematic of the sector's prolonged participation crisis. By integrating economic and sociodemographic analyses with survey data on intense musical experiences (IMEs)—defined as profound, unforgettable encounters with music characterized by emotional depth and perceptual shifts—this research explores how such experiences can serve as a linchpin for revitalizing audience engagement. The findings reveal that IMEs occur across age groups, with significant potential to enhance attendees' well-being, foster cultural identity, and reposition classical music festivals as dynamic contributors to societal quality of life. Beyond offering empirical insights into a specific festival, this study proposes a broader framework for leveraging emotional resonance to bridge generational divides, drawing on audience development theories and emotional psychology. These insights aim to inform strategies that sustain classical music's relevance in a rapidly evolving cultural landscape.