The Cuban soprano Johana Simón and the Spanish group Mariners de Riera will be in charge of the inauguration of the Festival of ‘’Habaneras’’ 2019 (Habaneras is a type of style, musical and instrumental Cuban genre).
This occasion, with the aim of revitalizing one of the emblematic Cuban styles and celebrating the anniversary 500 of the capital, schedules the opening concert for 5.00 pm at La Dominica (O'Reilly Street, corner of Mercaderes, Old Havana), where "El amor en el baile" was first sung, the first type of Habanera by an anonymous author and that appeared in the literary newspaper La Prensa, on November 13th, 1842.
For tomorrow, the program proposes the beginning of scientific sessions entitled ‘’Knowing Havana’’, that will allow people to gain notions about this important genre that contributed to the formation and definition of our cultural identity.
The academic appointment, set for the afternoon at Aula Magna of the University of San Gerónimo, will conclude at 4 with the performances of the sopranos Indira Ferrer-Morató and Johana Simón, together with the pianist Antoni Mas.
Among other activities, the Foundation Ernest Morató will officially deliver to the National Museum of Music the painting "Esencia habanera", by the artist Josep María Alarcón (Spain), and Cecilio Tieles will present the book ‘’Habaneras a peu de muralla’’, of the Iberian Old Havana Group. One of his most important actions is the delivery of the Pax Urbis prize to the city of Havana, awarded by 100 Cities for La Paz, at 6 o'clock this Friday at San Francisco de Asís Square, in an act where the singer-songwriter Liuba María Hevia will perform a concert.
‘’Habaneras’’ flourished on the basis of Havana's ‘’contradanza’’, created at the end of the 18th century, and appeared as a vocal genre in 1842 with the publication of "Love in the dance".
According to the Festival program, which will last until November 10, it was no accident that in Havana, one of the most educated cities for its intense artistic activity and the quality of its musicians, this genre emerged, root of others such as the ‘’guajira’’ and ‘’danzón’’.
Within the framework of the 500th anniversary of the founding of the city, where it found origin and name, Habaneras return to Havana to be celebrated among many blessings given by this wonderful city.
Taken from the Cuban News Agency
Edited by Francisco Martínez Chao
Translated by Susel Esquivel
