Sweet 16 for local soprano Libertad Allende,
Oct 6, 2006

Concert, Libertad Allende, soprano Saturday, October 7, 7pm, Teatro Ángela Peralta Mesones & Hernández Macías, 100/60/40 pesos

Sixteen-year-old San Miguel native Libertad Allende “sang before she could talk,” according to her proud father, and the vocalist’s mother, Doña Dolores Velázquez, tells us that the young artist was born with an outstanding talent. Of her singing Allende claims to have been inspired by birds’ songs and beloved Mexican favorites.

In 2002, at age 12, Allende represented Mexico in Havana, Cuba, at an international festival for children “singing to the sun.” That same year in Havana she took part in an homage to José Alfredo Jimenez, on the anniversary of his death 30 years earlier. On both occasions, the young singer stole the hearts of the Cubans and the Mexican diplomatic corps.

Since that performance, Allende has sung at festivals and at a gala for Pedro Vargas Mata, in the company of such notables as Tania Libertad, Marco Antonio Muñiz, Carlos Cuevas and Eduardo Manzano.

This year, she was invited to sing during the Mother’s Day celebration on the national radio station XEB, “la b grande de mexico,” and on September 12 she celebrated her 16th birthday by singing on local TV station Channel 4. She has also sung on San Miguel’s local XESQ radio.

This outstanding soprano studies opera with Francisco Nuñez Montes, a pianist and composer from Michoacán, who is a distinguished founding member of the National Cervantino Festival in Guanajuato. For Allende’s upcoming concert, her mentor will accompany her on the piano.

To highlight the singer’s virtuosity, the program features a repertoire of international songs ranging from the 17th century to the modern day, including music by Scarlatti, Gluck, Bellini, Puccini, Di Capua and an homage to Mozart on the anniversary of his 250th birthday.

Allende will also interpret several pieces by great Mexican composers.

Cuban pianist headlines at Bellas Artes

Concert, Pianist Robertico Carcassés, “I Am the Cuban Piano”

Tuesday, October 10, 7pm, Miguel Malo Auditorium, Bellas Artes

Hernández Macías 75, 80 pesos

Robertico Carcassés, born in Havana, Cuba, in 1972, is the son of the Latin jazz giant Bobby Carcassés. In his native country he is considered one of Cuba’s greatest young pianists, and Carcassés has won several national and international awards, including Cuba’s highest honor, the Cubadisco Award.

Currently, he is the director and a member of the musical group “Interactivo.” His work is widely recognized internationally, especially in Japan, where music lovers acclaim his interpretive and improvisational skills. 

For more information or to reserve tickets, call 155-9336 or 152-0289.

Flamenco fusion guitar with Samir Belkacemi

Concert, Guitarist Samir Belkacemi Wednesday, October 11, 8pm, Teatro Santa Ana, Reloj 50 120 pesos

Samir Belkacemi studied music at the National Music Conservatory and the National Music School of the Autonomous National University (Escuela Nacional de Música de la UNAM) in Mexico. He graduated with honors as a concert guitarist in 2004.

In 2000, he received a grant from the Fonca (National Fund for the Arts and Culture) and went to the University of Barcelona in Spain to study performance and musical style. There, he specialized in flamenco with the renowned flamenco teacher Ruben Díaz, a disciple of Paco de Lucia. Belkacemi has participated in several competitions and national and international festivals. Currently, he is composing music that combines flamenco with classic Arabian chants, ragas from India and jazz.