Telefónica celebrates its first hundred years this spring. Pianist Lang Lang kicked off the celebration with a recital in Barcelona, home of the Mobile World Congress. A spectacular production of classical music, LED lights, drones, and holograms made possible by Telefónica’s powerful 5G network.

The centenary celebrations for Telefónica began with a recital by Lang Lang, widely recognized as today’s top pianist. The event, held at the Gran Teatre del Liceu, saw Lang Lang perform pieces by Bach, Mozart, and de Falla for over an hour to an audience of 1,200. Telefónica’s President, José María Álvarez- Pallete, highlighted the company’s long-standing connection with Barcelona as a hub of innovation, particularly during the annual Mobile World Congress. The concert blended classical music with technology, with Lang Lang donning a sensor-laden, LED–lit jacket and performing alongside drones and holograms connected to Telefónica’s powerful 5G network and its partner Ericsson. The audience participated in the creative process through their mobile phones, culminating in a high-tech experience that merged the real and virtual worlds. In the coming months, Telefónica will mark its centenary with various events, including a gala at Madrid’s Teatro Real and a charity concert at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. The Telefónica Foundation is also participating with exhibitions and the digitization of over 60,000 items from the company’s photographic and documentary archive.