Arts & Entertainment

In another strange sequel to problems plaguing the Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra (OFJ), this weekend’s concert, “Rhythms of Mexico and Spain,” scheduled for the Teatro Degollado in Guadalajara, was suddenly cancelled and the musicians sent home. 

Despite being mired in controversy last year, the annual Salon de Octubre art competition and exhibit is going ahead this year under the watchful eye of new administrators.

Fresh from two well-received performances in Ireland and Wales, the celebrated Ballet Folclorico de la Universidad de Guadalajara returns for its annual summer/fall season at the regal Degollado Theater on Sunday, July 26.

The Jalisco Jazz Festival is gearing up to be a special event this year, with top-class invited guests from both home and abroad. 

The Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra is gearing up for its trip to Mexico City this weekend, where they are set to perform Sunday in the hallowed Palacio de Bellas Artes with Russian piano soloist Alexei Volodin and OFJ Director Marco Parisotto conducting. The program, entitled “Russian Brilliance,” is one of the gems designed by Parisotto to celebrate 100 years of orchestral tradition in Jalisco. This will be the same music that was performed last weekend, July 3 and 5, featuring two Prokofiev piano concertos and the musical portion of Stravinsky’s ballet “Petrushka.”

Tuesday recitals
The Degollado Theater opens its doors each Tuesday for the free classical music series Martes de Musica y Opera. No tickets are sold nor is there numbered seating. Just turn up before the performance and grab a seat. The quality is always exceptional, and the theater will often fill up.
July 7: Baroque Kings, opera and sacred music from the 18th century. Works by Handel, Nicola A. G. Porpora, Vivaldi. Featuring Riccardo Angelo Strano (contratenor); Bruno Landi, Adan Madrigal (violins); Porfirio Preciado (harpsichord); Mariana Martinez (cello) and Antonio Beck (double bass).
July 14: From Bach to Debussy,   also including works by Bohm, Purcell, del Moral, Poulenc, Rachmaninov, Parisotti, Chopin.  Featuring Mari Camarena (soprano) and Jorge Verdin (piano).
July 21:  Nova Duo featuring Valentina and Noemi Gasparini (violins) and Blandine Tricot (piano).  Works by Bartok, Shostakovich, Prokofiev, Haydn, Bach, Locatelli, Ysaye.
July 28:  Anniversary Concert by the Orquesta Sinfonica de Zapopan, directed by Guillermo Salvador, and the Zapopan Municipal Choir, directed by Santiago Cumplido.  “Overture to Candide” by Leonard Bernstein, Cantatas BWV 131 by Bach, Concerto in F Major for Three Pianos and Orchestra by Mozart and The Polovetsian Dances by Borodin.
Teatro Degollado, Tuesdays, 8 p.m. Free