Hindemith, Chausson, and Britten’s Music at the Basílica Menor de San Francisco de Asís

The Basílica Menor de San Francisco de Asís in Havana’s historic center promises a special afternoon for its audience with a presentation of rarely heard musical pieces in concert halls.

The event will feature works for voice and strings by Paul Hindemith, Ernest Chausson, and Benjamin Britten, performed by soprano Ivette Betancourt and the Art Trio, which includes pianist Mayté Aboy, violinist Desirée Justo, and cellist Alejandro Rodríguez. Additionally, violinist Liliana Serrano and violist Raiza Valdés, both members of the National Symphony Orchestra of Cuba, will participate as guest artists.

The program opens with four songs from Opus 13, Melancholie, by the German master Paul Hindemith, one of the most influential composers of the first half of the 20th century. This will be followed by Chausson’s Chanson perpétuelle, Opus 37, a major vocal and orchestral work written for soprano and piano quintet.

The concert will conclude with Benjamin Britten’s Les Illuminations, Opus 18, a song cycle for soprano soloist and string orchestra. The pieces include poems in verse and prose from the collection Les Illuminations by the great Symbolist poet Arthur Rimbaud. This final piece will feature the Havana Chamber Orchestra, conducted by maestro Daiana García.

The event is scheduled for Saturday, July 6, at 6:00 p.m., located on calle Oficios, entre Amargura y Churruca, in Old Havana. The concert is under the artistic direction of Helson Hernández.

Translated by Luis E. Amador Dominguez