Francesca Boncompagni

Baroque Music Festival returns to San Miguel
By Rodrigo Antonio Treviño Lozano

One of the attractions of San Miguel de Allende for both tourists and residents is the rich and varied cultural life of the city. Art galleries, beautiful buildings, theater and music contribute to the high quality of life of our beloved City. Back in 2007, some of the new comers to San Miguel noticed that even though San Miguel is a Baroque city in terms of Architecture, its plastic and music offerings reflected more modern times.

Even the classical music concerts were oriented mainly to Romantic and 20th Century works. The idea was then born that if people so much loved the elements of baroque art visible in San Miguel’s Architecture, it was very plausible that other related arts, in particular music, would also be interesting to the residents and visitors. So the First Baroque Music Festival was born with great acclaim for the quality of the performances and the unique atmosphere created when Baroque Music was played in environments similar to those that actually inspired the composers and original performers back in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Francesco Corti

This week San Miguel de Allende hosts for the third time what has become an institution: the Annual Baroque Music Festival. The Festival will blend Baroque music with Architecture, paintings, sculptures, and decor of the era to create an experience that Stephanie Hough, the Festival General Manager accurately described as “Surrounded by Baroque”.

 Seven World-class musical events with twenty musicians from six countries take place from March 24-28. The Festival opens with the first absolute winner in 25 years of the Bach competition in Leipzig, the Italian musician Francesco Corti accompanied by renowned early music specialist Italian Soprano Francesca Boncompagni presenting music that bring to life the “Passions of the Soul”. This concert takes place in a beautiful hall dressed with baroque arts and antiques at Fabrica La Aurora. The musical journey continues with Sonatas, concertos for diverse instruments in beautiful and varied settings. The Festival reaches a climax with the reopening of the historic theat
er of the Hacienda Santa Maria del Obraje, presenting the crown jewels of the high baroque: Bach’s Brandenburg concertos played with period instruments, followed by a Gala Dinner and Baroque Fashion show.

In addition to concerts, the Baroque Music Festival include a number of free events for the benefit of the San Miguel community. These events include: a lecture and exhibit on baroque art and antiques, a music appreciation workshop for the less advantaged children of San Miguel, an art auction featuring the beautiful 2009 Festival symbol donated by Canadian artist Toller Cranston, a free concert-lecture designed for the whole family, and even a private tour of a collection art and personal belongings of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo.

Classical Guitar Concert
CD Release: Dreams
Guillermo Ascencio Ramirez
Tue, Mar 24, 8pm
Teatro Santa Ana
70 pesos

Pátzcuaro guitarist releases Dreams
By Guillermo Ascencio

Born November 13, 1983, in Pátzcuaro, Ramirez studied classical music at the university Escuela Popular de Bellas Artes for four years. He continued his studies with Miguel Angel Bedolla for two years and completed one year of study in Portland, Oregon, focusing on composition, blues, country, jazz, bossa nova and audio editing.

Dreams is an exciting collection of classics, original compositions and improvisation. He mixes sounds, shades and techniques from classical guitar and integrates the timeless with contemporary styles.

He performed at the Concert of Classic Guitar to mark the 474th anniversary of Pátzcuaro in 2008, and performed at the Church San Juan de Dios for the 2008 celebration “Death Also Is Amused.” In collaboration with C. Enrique Soto Gonzales, Director of Culture of Michoacán, Ramirez assisted in developing cultural activities for the state. He created of the first International Festival of Classic Guitar at Pátzcuaro in 2008. The City Council of Pátzcuaro honored his work and participation in the commemorative “Pátzcuaro, City of Michoacán.”