The Music Institute of Chicago has partnered with Strings of Latin America and the Reverón Piano Trio to produce Celebración de la Música Latinoamericana, a series of three guest artist concerts featuring music by Latin American composers in April and May at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Avenue, Evanston. Performances will also be available via livestream.
Celebración de la Música Latinoamericana highlights the richness and diversity of the classical repertoire written by Latin American composers. Complementing performances with community education activities focused on Latin American music, Celebración de la Música Latinoamericana shines a light on a group of composers and their classical music repertoire that has long been underrepresented or unknown.
Institute of Music President and CEO Dr. Mark George said, “We are honored to partner with the Reverón Piano Trio and Strings of Latin America to showcase world-class artists performing exciting repertoire and rarely heard in a historical performance space. This is music that needs to be heard!”
Strings of Latin America (SOLA) is an official partner of The Sphinx Organization with the goal of generating social engagement by promoting diversity in the world of classical music. The Institute of Music hopes to make Celebración de la Música Latinoamericana an annual concert series at Nichols Concert Hall and include a strong educational component, which will be available to K-12 schools and other community organizations.
Opening the series on Friday, April 1 is the Reverón Piano Trio (above) featuring violinist Simón Gollo, Institute of Music cellist Horacio Contreras and pianist Ana María Otamendi. Named after Venezuelan visual artist Armando Reverón, one of America’s first modernists, the Trio’s primary goal is to introduce audiences to the underrepresented music of Latin America alongside contemporary and standard repertoire. The program includes works by Ricardo Lorenz (Venezuela), Manuel Ponce (Mexico) and Joaquín Turina (Spain).
The series continues on Friday, April 22 with KAIA String Quartet (above), featuring violinists Victoria Moreira and Naomi Culp, violist Amanda Grimm and cellist Hope DeCelle. Dedicated to promoting the rich and colorful music of Latin America, KAIA is active in the United States and abroad, as well as on the Chicago music scene, and is in residence at the community music division of the DePaul University. The program includes works by José Bragato, Claudio Santoro, Silvestre Revueltas, Elbio Barilari and Astor Piazzolla.
To conclude the series on Friday May 13, Venezuelan musicians Pacho Flores on trumpet and Elena Abend on piano (below). Flores, who won first prize in the “Maurice André” international competition, the most distinguished trumpet competition in the world, thrives in classical and popular music styles. Abend, who received the William Schuman Prize for outstanding achievement and leadership in music, has given recitals and chamber concerts as well as tours and recordings with major orchestras in Venezuela. The program includes works by Pablo Sarasate, Astor Piazzolla, Antonio Sánchez Pedro, Pacho Flores, Santiago Báez Cervantes, Paquito D’Rivera and Enrique Crespo.
For concert updates, visit nicholsconcerthall.org.
The Nichols Concert Hall is currently operating at full capacity, subject to future changes mandated by the State of Illinois, CDC, or other applicable local authorities. To ensure the safety of all onsite, The Music Institute of Chicago requires that upon entry to an event, all visitors over the age of five present proof of full COVID-19 vaccination status OR a negative PCR COVID test processed within 48 hours of the day of the event. Visitors who have recently traveled overseas are not permitted in Nichols Concert Hall unless they show proof of a negative COVID PCR test taken three to five days after returning to the United States. The Institute of Music further requires that all members of the public aged two and over wear a mask over their nose and mouth for the duration of the event. Masks will be provided for those who do not have one. If you have symptoms of COVID-19 on the day of the performance, including fever, shortness of breath or cough, do not attend the event. Please note: All artists and staff on site are fully vaccinated. Vaccinated performers and presenters are not required to wear masks while on stage.
Latin American Music Celebration:
Reverón Trio-Friday April 1st
KAIA String Quartet – Friday, April 22
Pacho Flores and Elena Abend-Friday May 13
all at 7:30 p.m. at the Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Avenue, Evanston.
In-person tickets are $50 for VIP seating and $25 in advance,
available at nicholsconcerthall.org and $30 at the door.
Live access to the conference and the pre-concert concert is $25,
available at nicholsconcerthall.org.
All programming is subject to change.
The Nichols Concert Hall Concert Series is partially funded by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency and sponsorship from ITW.
