The Minnesota Orchestra is leaving today for Cuba where they will perform two historic concerts on May 15 and 16. WKAR 90.5 Classical with Classical Minnesota Public Radio and American Public Media are thrilled to bring these performances to you live from the Teatro Nacional in Havana, Cuba! These are the first performances and broadcasts of an American orchestra from Cuba since President Obama moved to normalize relations in December 2014.
On Friday, May 15, Osmo Vänskä will lead the Minnesota Orchestra in a concert of Beethoven masterworks that will prominently feature Cuban artists. In addition to Beethoven’s Overture to Egmont and Eroica Symphony, they’ll be joined by the Cuban National Choir, Coro Vocal Leo and pianist Frank Fernandez for Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy.
The Saturday, May 16 concert includes the unforgettably Mediterranean melodies that comprise Leonard Berstein’s Symphonic Dances from West Side Story as well as Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet Suite.
Catch these historic performances live at 8:00pm both Friday and Saturday on 90.5 Classical.