Stepping into the gated plaza in front of the Ex-convento del Carmen from downtown Guadalajara’s gritty streets has always felt like a reprieve—never more so than Tuesday evening for the fourth in a musical series just reincarnated by the incoming state Secretary of Culture: Martes Musicales.
Outside, five lanes of traffic surged west along Calle Juarez, and departing shop owners noisily thrust down steel curtains. But in the gated, baroque patio of the formerv convent, overhanging trees, stone arches, gleaming brick walkways and a distinctive Alejandro Colunga brass sculpture made a tranquil oasis.
And state employees gave hearty bienvenidos to a well dressed, mature crowd, who turned out to be a group of prime music enthusiasts taking advantage of this free series of live performances. Folks were eager to get one of the 100 cushy, portable seats in the Sala Higinio Ruvalcaba, with its ultra-thick, acoustically kind stone walls.
“It’s like a master class,” whispered a woman in a black suit when a music expert briefly introduced the group—five members of the Banda Sinfónica del Estado de Jalisco who make up a group named the Quinteto de Cañas. The emcee likewise gave a quick overview (in fast Spanish) of the night’s selections, a mix of short pieces by classical greats as well as popular 20th century composers.
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