This summer, Viva La Musica has planned a four-concert series titled “Romance in the Village,” featuring chamber music concerts held in private homes and small concert halls at lakeside.
The first concert series showcases the Marval Duet, comprising Slovakian violinist Robert Markus and Mexican pianist Rosa Maria Valdez, on Thursday June 21, 4 p.m.
Their program will consist of works by Mexican composers Blas Galindo, Manuel María Ponce, Agustín Lara, José Sabre Marroquin and the young Mauricio Allera. Some music by Manuel De Falla of Spain and Slovakian Anton Zimmerman will also be played.
The two musicians will discuss and explain the history behind the pieces of music as they perform in a beautiful private lakeside home. The location is disclosed on the back of each ticket, which are available at Diane Pearl, Mia’s Boutique and the Lake Chapala Society (LCS) ticket booth, Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to noon.
On Friday, July 20, the Galatea Early Music Ensemble presents “Renaissance Romance” – a musical journey through France, Italy, Germany and England using ancient instruments popular during the Renaissance period. The Ensemble will perform on lutes, baroque violins, guitars and a viola de gamba, accompanied by a talented soprano soloist and guest baritone. This concert will take place in a private home in Rancho del Oro.
The “Opera Romance” gala on Thursday, August 30 features soprano Jessica Alcala, mezzosoprano Mayela Lou and baritone Jose Manuel Gonzalez, with piano accompanist Rodrigo Sierra Moncayo. Romantic music by Donizetti, Rossini, Wagner and Lehar will be performed.
And on Friday, September 21, Sergio Parra, a scholarship student of Viva’s for many years, will play a program of Chopin, Messiaen, Iberia and beautiful Debussy preludes in St. Andrew’s Anglican Church in Riberas del Pilar.
If you love classical music, Viva la Musica is an excellent group to belong to as they organize bus trips to Guadalajara to see concerts, ballets and live screened opera, as well as present small concerts at lakeside throughout the year. It is staffed by volunteers and all the funds go to scholarships for young Mexican classical musicians.
Tickets cost 500 pesos and include champagne and canapés served at 3:30 p.m. before the 4 p.m. concerts.