What better way to kick off Hispanic Heritage Month than with a celebration of traditional Spanish music? On Sunday, September 28th, the Alhambra Orchestra performed at the Sanctuary of the Arts in Coral Gables, FL. The 2-hour matinee featured pieces by Spanish artists Ernesto Lecuona, Maria Grever, Pablo Beltran Ruiz, among others. Guitar soloist Koch Kazama and Soprano opera singer Nathalie Avila were just a few of the talented musicians who were highlighted throughout the show.
The Alhambra Orchestra was founded in 1990 with a mission to gather musicians from the greater Miami area to provide beautiful music throughout South Florida. With most concerts being free of charge, the orchestra’s performances are accessible for all ages and income levels. Genres range from classical to pop and occasionally jazz. Currently, the group is under the direction of Dr. Daniel Andai, the dean of music at the New World School of the Arts and concertmaster of the Miami Symphony Orchestra.
This year’s series includes 7 concerts to keep listeners engaged and entertained all year long. A long-standing nonprofit, the Orchestra solely relies on donations and contributions from its concertgoers. The Hispanic Heritage Concert was the Alhambra Orchestra’s kickoff to their 25th season.
The show began with Siboney, a classical piece written by Cuban composer Ernesto Lecuona in 1927. It was followed by the Argentine tango Oblivion, a more renowned song that got the audience on their toes. Flute soloist Carol Naveira-Nicholson joined the ensemble for the second and third performances, and Sway (quien sera) ended the first half of the show.
Both before and after intermission, the crowd relaxed and enjoyed the venue, The Sanctuary of the Arts (SOTA). This rather innovative performance hall located right off of Miracle Mile seated 314 guests for the sold-out show. The crystal-clear stained glass windows and pristine white walls provided a calming ambiance for the crowd, while the enthusiastic staff offered beverages and snacks before the show, contributing to a positive atmosphere.
One of the most popular and widely recognized community orchestras ended the evening of entertainment at 5:00 with the Coldplay hit “Viva la Vida”. Although it is not composed by a Hispanic artist and doesn’t have any roots in Latin American culture, the recognizable tune gave everyone a few notes to whistle to as they left.
Their next performance, Spooky Symphony, is currently on schedule for Friday, October 25th. Be sure to check out their website, alhambraorchestra.org, for more information on tickets, the venue, and what the repertoire will look like for the event.
