Also, I have to do both countries since I fly into Paris and out of Madrid!

Barcelona, Madrid and Sevilla are connected through the high speed AVE Train. From city center to city center in no time and great comfort.

MADRID:

The Veranos de la Villa festival (summer in the city) goes on in Madrid from Juli 1. to Aug. 30. Great artists on different stages around town every night. http://www.esmadrid.com/en/whats-on/...s-de-la-villa/

I highly recommend Silvia Perez Cruz on July 3. Arguably the finest voice in Spain at the moment, she has got both softness and raw power.

Theme song from the silent movie Blancanieves: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INoA5v2ZDWk

A tribute to Lorca, Cohen and Morente: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vx5CW0Vyvi8

Piaf in New York: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mX_Nx5ZhLU4

Tickets to all the festival events: http://www.entradas.com/veranos-de-l...ts&kuid=502864

BARCELONA:
The Grec festival all of July, mostly in the excellent outdoor Grec thetaer: http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/...el-teatre.html
Info and program: http://lameva.barcelona.cat/grec/en/...s-catalan-musi

As for the ave trains in Spain, would you recommend me worrying about the tickets there or buy them in advance? I looked at the websites to fly and I'm leaning towards flying into Barcelona from Paris! I'm surprised how cheap it is!