XI International Festival of Ancient Music at Universidad de Santiago

  • The Universidad de Santiago Classical Orchestra gave an exciting performance under the direction of Juan Manuel Quintana (Argentina) at the opening ceremony of the XI International Festival of Ancient Music. The mezzo-soprano Evelyn Ramírez skilfully interpreted a selection of arias by the German composer Georg Friederich Haendel. The festival will finish on October 07th and it includes concerts and masterclasses.

     

    Hundreds of the university workers, students, guests and general public described the opening ceremony of the XI International Festival of Ancient Music at Universidad de Santiago as a “time machine”, as they were able to enjoy musical pieces that date back hundreds of years during an exciting concert performed by the Universidad de Santiago Classical Orchestra, under the direction of Juan Manuel Quintana (Argentina).

    The Festival was organized by the Cultural Corporation of our university, with the support of the National Council for Culture and Arts, through the Music Fund 2015.

    The festival that involves a week of activities between September 30th and October 07th was opened by Dr Juan Manuel Zolezzi, President of Universidad de Santiago. He highlighted the importance of recovering this activity and the valuable presence of artists from Europe and the Americas, particularly of those who cultivate this type of music in our country.

    The mezzo-soprano Evelyn Vilches performed at the opening ceremony of the festival. She skilfully interpreted a selection of arias by Georg Friederich Haendel, a German composer considered a key figure of the Baroque period. Her performance was a tribute to his 330th birthday.

    All the activities of the festival are free of charge and are held at the Aula Magna of Universidad de Santiago, one of the halls with the best acoustics in the country. The gala concert and the noon concert were transmitted via streaming.

    Program and performers

    The program of the 11th version of this Festival included concerts, three master classes and a course.

    The groups and soloists performing at this festival are: Orquesta Universidad de Santiago, under the direction of Juan Manuel Quintana (Argentina); Armando Fuentes and Álvaro Huertas (Colombia); Terra Australis (Chile); Estudio Musica Antigua (Chile); Wladimir Carrasco (Chile); La Pulsata (Chile); Il Telescopio di Galileo (Chile); Joachim Held (Germany); Ministriles de Marsias (España), and Syntagma Musicum (Chile).

    Translated and edited by Marcela Contreras