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he Torrevieja International Habaneras Contest celebrates its 65th edition this year, from 22 to 28 July, and the weekly Vista Alegre dedicates this special issue that includes the full programme of the contest, information on the participants and the panel of judges, and interviews with the Mayor of the city, Eduardo Dolón, and the councillor of Culture, Antonio Quesada, among other matters. Las Eras de la Sal - the old Salt Wharf, will host the performances of eleven choral groups within the competition and another six out of competition. Choirs from countries such as the Philippines, Colombia, China, Ukraine, Belarus, South Korea, Italy and the United States will compete for the first prize, as well as the Coro Jóvenes de Madrid - the Youth Choir of Madrid, which will represent Spain. The opening gala will take place next 22 July. Local choirs, such as the Maestro Ricardo Lafuente Choir and Orchestra, the “José Hódar” Choral Ensemble, the “Manuel Barberá” Choral Association, the “Francisco Vallejos” Torrevieja Choir and the Torrevieja Choral Society, will be performing out of
Interview with the mayor Eduardo Dolón General programme Daily programme Jury ‘Rosita de un verde palmar’ Cycling Tour of Spain 2019
competition that night. In addition, the Torrevejense Musical Union will perform a selection of hymns. On Tuesday, 23 July, the public can enjoy the guest choir concert from the Philippines, University of Philippines Singing Ambassadors, which is also out of competition. The first evening of the competition will take place on Wednesday, 24 July, with performances by the choir Voci del Mare from Colombia and the Beijing Tongxin Chorus from China. The following day, 25 July, the Kiev “Sophia” Youth Chamber Choir, the “Salutaris Choir” and the “Agados” Chamber Choir will take the stage. On Friday, 26 July, the chorus “Voz latina” from Cremona, Italy, Choeur Chantez a Dieu from South Korea and the North American chorus “Saringhimig Singers” will perform. Saturday 27 July will be the last night of the contest and will be opened by the Youth Choir of Madrid, followed by the Chamber Choir “Cecilia Espinosa” from Colombia and the LNHS Voice Chorale from the Philippines. The contest will come to an end on Sunday 28 July with the grand choral gala and the awards ceremony.
DIRECTOR: Francisco Reyes Prieto Pérez. DELEGATED COUNCILLOR: Antonio Quesada Hurtado.
CONTRIBUTORS: Irene Mercader, Jorge Bernabeu, Joaquín Carrión, Municipal Board of Habaneras, Víctor Galán, Amstudio. LAYOUT AND PRINTING: Torreguía Ediciones, S.L. C/Orihuela, 34.
EDITOR: Lidia Nanagyulyan. FRONT PAGE PHOTO: Alfonso Ortuño.
Tel. 96 670 27 06 - 03181 TORREVIEJA (ALICANTE). LEGAL DEPOSIT A.102/1961.
Presentation From a world contest to an internationally renowned event
The International Contest of Habaneras and Polyphony has national and international representation but in the past there was only representation of different Spanish provinces.
The Torrevieja Habaneras Contest was inaugurated on August 7, 1955. On that day the habaneras sounded for the first time on the former stage of Paseo Vista Alegre in a national contest that began to take shape a year before. Since then, what is now known as the International Contest of Habaneras and Polyphony of Torrevieja has endured, in which choirs from the five continents have participated and in which polyphony has been incorporated into the repertoire. Today, the event is a world leader in choral singing with participation from Spain and abroad. Throughout its history, more than 90% of the participating choral groups, especially home-grown ones, have distinguished themselves as being of a non-professional nature, with the exception of the directors who are mostly well-established professionals in the world of music. On the other hand, professionalism has been dominant within international choirs with groups belonging to countries such as the United States, Cuba, Venezuela, to name but a few. As for domestic representation, all the Spanish provinces have participated in the contest. It should be noted that the local choirs of Torrevieja have always been part of the events outside of competition and both these and all the others have been well received by the public.
The competition is held every year in the ‘Eras de la Sal’ but there was a time when the choirs performed on the disappeared stage on ‘the Paseo Vista Alegre’ represented in these images.
The 65th edition of the International Contest of Habaneras and Polyphony
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Presentation Recognition and awards given to the contest After many years, the International Contest of Habaneras and Polyphony of Torrevieja was declared of International Tourist Importance by the Ministry of Commerce and Tourism on August 2, 1994, representing a global boost for the event and for the city. More recently, in 2005, the Valencia Regional Government awarded it the Medal of Cultural Merit, and in 2002, it was awarded with the Tourist Merit Award of the Provincial Council of Alicante. Among others, it is also worth mentioning the Tourism Award of the Association for the Promotion of Business and Tourism Initiatives (AFIET) in 2005 and 2008, and the Alicante Association of Journalists and Tourism Writers (AAPET). Along its trajectory, the Contest has received numerous awards and distinctions. The Municipal Board of Habaneras has the awards in his seat. The images represent awards as Medal to the Cultural Merit, Provincial Prizes to the Tourism Merit and ‘Alcazaba’ Award.
‘Información’ Award 1990 International Master Prize for excellence 1991 ‘Los Mejores’ Prize, La verdad 1996 Award to the Cultural Merit, the Alicante Provincial Government 2002 ‘Alcazaba’ Award, Granada 2002 Tourism Award, AFIET (Association for the Promotion of Business and Tourism Initiatives) 2005 Medal to the Cultural Merit, Valencia Regional Government 2005 Tourism Award, AAPET (Alicante Association of Journalists and Writers of Tourism) 2008
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The 65th edition of the International Contest of Habaneras and Polyphony
Interview Eduardo Dolón, mayor of Torrevieja and president of the Municipal Board of Habaneras
“We want to make a start as soon as possible on the restoration of the Eras de la Sal” Vista Alegre: What does it mean to reach the 65th edition of the Habaneras Contest? Eduardo Dolón: It means that the contest continues with its tradition, with the history of the city of Torrevieja and continues to be the most important event of its kind nationally and one of the most outstanding internationally. I hope we can start working very soon, when we are closing this edition and we open the 66th and achieve a major change in aspects such as upgrading the event. V. A. - What do you expect from an edition like this that is such a milestone? E.D. - It is true that it is a number that lends itself to having held some special celebration and that it should be remembered for some commemorative reason. I am sure that the technical part, which as always is carried out by professionals, will not fail. We have a list of choirs that is almost entirely international, and we have the best technical reports, so we are going to have the highest choral quality. Admittedly, it is a pity to have only one Spanish choir, because there was another that did not complete all the necessary documentation. V.A. - The choirs of Torrevieja have been the ones that have covered the event throughout its history. Are they still a fundamental pillar for habaneras? E.D. - Yes, and they will continue to be, because they are the ones that bring us each year our most beloved habaneras, our unique choral song. It is true that this year we sadly see that the Casanovas Master Choir is not participating, and we believe that it is a great loss because it is one of the best choirs the city has. Even though they are going through a series of problems I am confident that they will be solved.
V.A. - The Eras de la Sal, the venue of the contest, needs conservation work: when will this materialise? E.D - This intervention was supposed to be carried out during the last four years but almost three million euros were lost, which instead went to reduce our City Council’s debt. I have already requested the Projects Department to immediately adapt the last project that was commissioned. For the preparation of the next budget, I intend to include an amount of investment so that we can begin with that restoration of the site. First, the walls that are crumbling to the ground more and more every day, even though the Board is going to undertake a minor repair this summer so that the parts that are in the worst condition can be maintained. I hope that in financial year 2020 the administrative machinery will be put into operation and that in the next year it will be able to implement it to turn this space into a place where people, tourists, can go. The idea is to link up to the Vista Alegre promenade with the future boardwalk along Acequion Beach and Los Naufragos that we hope can be achieved in these four years. V.A. - This summer, we have on the one hand the contest and on the other that great historical event that will be the start line of the stage of La Vuelta. E.D. -I think it is a unique opportunity for the city to present examples such as our International Habaneras and Polyphony Contest, but also gastronomy and, in short, everything we have to offer tourists. A few days ago, we set up a joint team
with people from associations, groups, business sectors, cycling club and others. In all, fifty people with whom we will prepare a specific calendar of events to ensure we don’t miss this opportunity because we have the opportunity to showcase Torrevieja to 190 countries, where you will see the live broadcast of the start of the stage for more than two hours. We are going to be the world epicentre of cycling and we have to make Torrevieja known in its entirety.
Programa Programme Monday, 22 July Opening Gala
Performance out of competition of local choirs: Maestro Ricardo Lafuente Choir and Orchestra
Las veladas comienzan a las 23:00 h en las Eras de la Sal
The evenings begin at 23:00 h at the Eras de la Sal (Old Salt Wharf)
Tuesday, 23 July
Performance out of competition of the choir: University of Philippines Singing Ambassadors (Philippines)
Wednesday, 24 July
Friday, 26 July
“Voz Latina” Choir (Italy) Choeur Chantez a Dieu (South Korea) “Saringhimig Singers” (United States)
Saturday, 27 July
“Jose Hodar” Choral Ensemble
Coro Voci del Mare (Colombia)
“Manuel Barbera” Choral Group
Beijing Tongxin Chorus (China)
Coro Jóvenes de Madrid - the Madrid Youth Choir (Spain)
Thursday, 25 July
“Cecilia Espinosa” Chamber Choir (Colombia)
Kiev Youth Chamber Choir “Sophia” (Ukraine)
LNHS Voice Chorale (Philippines)
“Francisco Vallejos” Torrevejense Choir Orfeón de Torrevieja A performance of hymns by: Unión Musical Torrevejense
“Salutaris Choir” (Belarus) “Agados” Chamber Choir (South Korea)
Sunday, 28 July Grand Choral Gala Awards Ceremony Closing Ceremony
Prizes Habaneras Section
Other prizes
First Prize (Ricardo Lafuente) ................€12,000 and trophy
“José Hódar Talavera” Prize to the Best Conducting: trophy and conducting of the joint song of the mandatory habanera.
Second Prize (Francisco Vallejos) .............€5,000 and trophy Third Prize ................................................€2,500 and trophy
Polyphony Section First Prize (Juan Aparicio) ......................€10,000 and trophy Second Prize (Cesar Canovas) ..................€4,000 and trophy Third Prize .................................................€2,000 and trophy
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The 65th edition of the International Contest of Habaneras and Polyphony
Audience prize.........................€2,000 euros and trophy (To the choir that receives the highest number of votes from the subscribers to the contest. Voters will receive the voting card next to their subscription and will score their favourite choir once the competition round is over) National Prize:...................................€2.000 and trophy (To the Spanish choir that achieves the maximum overall score)
Interview Antonio Quesada Hurtado, Councillor for Culture and the Municipal Board of Habaneras
“The Habaneras Contest is coexistence, multiculturalism and other ways of making music” Vista Alegre: After having performed in the contest as a member of a choir, how do you experience the contest from the other side, as Vice-President of the Municipal Board of Habaneras? Antonio Quesada: It is not the same to be part of a choir and get on a stage to enjoy the music as to be seeing it from this other position. I have more responsibilities and a great desire for everything to go well, although it is true that we have been left with a contest practically organised. V.A.- Will you be performing in this 65th edition and continue with your work and love as a member of a choral group? A.Q.- Of course. I will go on stage at the opening gala as I have done all these years. Singing is part of my life, when I took the step of taking office as Councilor for Culture, I told the mayor, Eduardo Dolón, that I could not give it up. I cannot give up being a part of the “Francisco Vallejos” choir, stop singing with the group Sette Voci or directing the “Adonai” Children’s Choir. Of course, the position will limit me a little, but I will do everything possible to continue with what I enjoy. V.A.- What boost is going to be given to the contest from now on? A.Q.- I think we have to work to encourage it. We have already had our first conversations with the technical commission to start educating people about Habaneras. In previous editions, we noticed how the audience was decreasing, as the ave-
rage age was always the same and there were no young people in the audience. It is simply unacceptable that there are schools and colleges on the margins that do not know what a habanera is, that do not know what the festivities are or don’t know that the Inmaculada is our patron saint. We are going to start a project along with the Department of Education to raise awareness, educate and promote habaneras in schools and colleges. V.A.- How would you describe an evening of Habaneras at the Eras de la Sal? A.Q.- All evenings are special because each night a different choir performs. Habaneras Night means a lot to all the residents of Torrevieja. That joy that is lived inside the Eras de la Sal is in the air you breathe. Some say that they are only singing concerts, but the Habaneras Contest is coexistence, multiculturalism and other ways of making music. There are many sides to it. Attending the Eras de la Sal during the week of the contest is something that everyone who lives in Torrevieja has to do. It should be a must-see on the annual calendar. V.A.- The Municipal Choir School is sorely missed; will it start again? A.Q.-Yes, we have already taken the first steps to see how we can reopen it. It seems that there is a legal possibility for this to be feasible. Our intention is that by October the school will already be up and running, maybe it will change format, but we will get it going.
The 65th edition of the International Contest of Habaneras and Polyphony
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Programme
Monday, July 22
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s they do every year, the local choirs of Torrevieja will take to the stage to open the 2019 Habaneras Contest. Five choirs will perform in the opening gala with the repertoire of more traditional Habaneras, while the Unión Musical Torrevejense will perform the hymns.
Maestro Ricardo Lafuente Choir and Orchestra Conductor: Aurelio Martínez López
“Jose Hodar” Choral Ensemble Conductor: Miguel Guerrero Serrano
“Manuel Barbera” Choral Group Conductor: Sergey Larkin
“Francisco Vallejos” Torrevejense Choir Conductor: Anibal Cano Pettersen
El Orfeón de Torrevieja - Torrevieja Music Society Conductor: Mario Bustillo
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The 65th edition of the International Contest of Habaneras and Polyphony
Unión Musical Torrevejense Conductor: Carlos Ramón Pérez
Tuesday, 23 July
University of Philippines Singing Ambassadors Philippines After winning the first prize in the Habaneras Category at the 64th Contest, the choir from the Philippines returns to Torrevieja for an out-of-competition concert. Conducted by Edgardo Lumbera Manguiat, they will interpret habaneras such as Lorenzo Donati’s ‘Noche’ and ‘Eres tú’ by Juan Carlos Calderón. The choir is made up of students from several colleges of the University of the Philippines, who not only dedicate themselves to music but also participate in socio-civic activities to help the underprivileged. Since their humble beginnings in 1980, they have come a long way, winning very important awards; in total, 36 first prizes in different countries all over the world. The group takes pride in being the first winner of the Asian Grand Prize at the “Guido D’Arezzo” Polyphonic
International Contest in Italy. The choir also received the “Ani and Dangal” award from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) for reaching the highest levels of artistic excellence in the years 2009, 2012 and 2019. In the new European tours and competitions, and in several presentations in Asia, Australia, Africa and the United States, they have shared Filipino culture through songs, customs, dress and dance.
Programme
Wednesday, 24 July
Coro Voci del Mare
Colombia Conductor: Fernando Carrillo Gómez
The group was founded in 2010 under the musical and artistic direction of Fernando Carrillo Gómez. At present, it consists of 21 student members of diverse professions that throughout their artistic careers have been members of other choirs of the country. Most of them are students of the Adolfo Mejía Navarro Conservatory of the University Institution of Fine Arts and Sciences of Bolívar. Voci del Mare has undertaken the task of spreading choral music through a universal repertoire, ancient music, sacred music and Caribbean rhythms. The choir has participated in several national festivals, in concerts for the purpose of popularizing music and as part of education and in projects in conjunction with institutions that encourage musical training in the vocal field.
Beijing Tongxin Chorus China Conductor: Pan Ming
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The 65th edition of the International Contest of Habaneras and Polyphony
This group has approximately 60 members and was founded in 1991. During the last 27 years, the artistic level of the choir has continued to improve under the leadership of Wu Lingfen, participating in many activities and winning several prizes and contests. It was selected as the National Choir of Excellence by the Chinese Choral Association in 2013. In 2015, the young conductor, Pan Ming, took on the permanent management of the choir. Thanks to its determination, the group has gained experience as a chamber choir and was awarded a gold medal in the senior competition in the ninth World Choral Games held in Sochi, Russia. In December 2016, they participated in the Beijing Choir Festival and won the gold prize in both the “Demonstration Group” category and the “Seniors Group” category. In August 2018, Pan took Tongxin Chorus to participate in the Hunan Huanglong Music Season Choir Competition, winning the Gold Award for Senior Mixed Choirs and the Silver Award for the Folk Songs category.
Thursday, 25 July
Kiev Youth Chamber Choir “Sophia” Founded in 2008, the choir began singing Renaissance compositions and has gradually expanded its repertoire. Since the end of 2010, it has been directed by Alexei Shamritsky, who recorded his first album, “Liturgy”, with works by Russian composers such as Rachmaninoff, Tchaikovsky, Arkhangelsky, Chesnokov, and Schnittke, among others. It was also the winner of the first Prize in the 33rd International Festival “Hajnowka 2014” of Orthodox Church Music. In 2016, the choir represented Ukraine at the 27th Bela Bartok International Choir Contest in the city of Debrecen (Hungary), winning the first prize in the category of chamber choirs, a diploma for best conductor and the special prize “Kontrapunkt”.
Ukraine Conductor: Alexei Shamritsky
“Salutaris Choir” “Salutaris Choir” is a mixed choir created in 2007 by Olga Yanum. The group plays a variety of music, sacred and secular choral, classical and modern, as well as their own compositions, creating a book of choral scores adapted from Belarusian folk songs together with the famous composer Andrey Savritsky. Like the rest of the participants, they have competed in numerous international competitions, taking the first prize in the International Choral Festival in Miltenberg (Germany) in the category “Folklore, Spiritual & Jazz” and the 2nd Prize in the category “Sinfonie der Stimmen”.
Belarus Conductor: Olga Yanum
“Agados” Chamber Choir This female choir was founded in 2017 its musical director Sun-Mi Hwang. Despite their brief history, they won the third prize in the twenty-second national choral contest of South Korea in October 2018. They also performed at the Korean choral music festival, held at Lotte Concert Hall on 27 October, 2018. In addition to Habaneras 2019, they have been invited to perform at the Jejy International Choir Festival and will participate in the Korean Choral Music Symposium in February this year.
South Korea Conductor: Sun-Mi Hwang
The 65th edition of the International Contest of Habaneras and Polyphony
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Programme
Friday, 26 July
“Voz Latina” Choir The choir was founded in 2011 and is the brainchild of two Argentine musicians, Luciana Elizondo and Maximiliano Baños. The group was created to promote traditional Latin American music with a special emphasis on the most remote origins, the result of fusion with European and African cultures. That is why they accompany their music with old instruments, such as the viola da gamba, the vihuela and the baroque guitar, as well as typical instruments of Latin America folk music. They released their first album, “El Canto de las Palabras” (The Song of Words) in September 2018. The album has set poems to music adapted from great Latin American authors of the 20th century, such as Mario Benedetti, Pablo Neruda and José Martí.
Italy Conductor: Maximiliano Baños
Choeur Chantez a Dieu From the Far East, Choeur Chantez a Dieu is a choir composed of musicians and enthusiasts who are passionate about choral music. The group is led by Hae Ock Eunice Kim Bang, a retired professor at Yonsei University. In addition to church music, the choir interprets contemporary music, original songs and works in a variety of repertoires from different eras. The group has participated in the XX Chuncheon International Music Festival, in the Great Korean Choir Festival in 2017 and in the concert in honour of the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Korean Church. It is not the first time that the director Hae Ock Eunice Kim Bang has participated in the contest, she did so in 2012, taking the “José Hódar Talavera” award for the best conductor.
South Korea Conductor: Hae Ock Eunice Kim Bang
“Saringhimig Singers” The choir from the Bay Area of San Francisco, California, has members from different countries and diverse professions, although they are all united by their love, passion and dedication to music and the arts. Under the artistic direction of George Hernandez, they have forged their reputation in Europe after winning choral competitions and participating in festivals such as Arezzo & Gorizia in Italy, Llangollen in Wales, Tolosa in Spain, Cant ‘Coral in Barcelona and Puig Reig in Spain. In addition, they have received special awards in Recognition for Excellence in Music and as one of the outstanding organisations of the California State Assembly.
United States Conductor: George G. Hernández
Saturday, 27 July
The Madrid Youth Choir Composed of 70 singers from 16 to 30 years of age, the Madrid Youth Choir will be representing Spain this year. Since their creation, they have managed to forge a choir with a broad repertoire of works of high technical and vocal complexity, and embark on an international tour through Germany, Sweden, Slovenia, Norway, among other countries. They also participated in the 62nd Contest of Habaneras and Polyphony of Torrevieja, in which they obtained an Honourable Mention in the Habaneras category and the Audience Award
Spain Conductor: Juan Pablo de Juan
“Cecilia Espinosa” Chamber Choir The group consists mainly of singers, students and professionals from different areas who perform religious and secular works of different genres and styles. One of its main objectives is to spread choral repertoires of new creators and outstanding composers of the 20th and 21st centuries. The choir has been Colombia’s ambassador abroad, obtaining gold, silver and bronze prizes in numerous contests, in addition to the special recognition of the panels of judges for the quality of their performances.
Colombia Conductor: Cecilia Espinosa Arango
LNHS Voice Chorale Created in 2014, the choir of Ligao National Secondary School, in the province of Albay, is led by one of the youngest conductors of Bicolandias, Celger V. Venzon. LNHSVC won the grand prize during the 4th International Choir Festival of Bali, Indonesia in August 2015. The following year, they were victorious again at the 12th Choir Festival and Contest in Busan, South Korea. And in 2017 they won again in the same festival with the gold prize in the youth category.
Philippines Conductor: Celger Villa Campa Venzon
Panel of Judges and Presenter Fidel Gener Calalang, Jr.
Ruth Revert
Conductor of the acclaimed UST choral group, he is also a soloist and composer. He studied at the Conservatory of Music of the Royal University of Santo Tomas, one of the oldest universities in Asia. Under his direction, the singers of the University of Santo Tomás have conquered Torrevieja and the entire world on more than one occasion, since throughout its 18 years on the international choral music scene have completed nineteen world tours and they have won more than 65 awards representing the Philippines.
Born in Cocentaina, Alicante, she began her musical training in singing and guitar at the “Oscar Esplá” Conservatory in Alicante, completing her higher education in singing at the “Joaquín Rodrigo” Conservatory in Valencia. She teaches on various improvement courses for singers. She has also developed her teaching work in numerous choral workshops. She is a member of the Faculty of Teachers of Music and Performing Arts, having been registered as a teacher since 2006. She teaches at the professional music conservatories of Alicante, Valencia and Ontinyent. In addition, she is the producer and technical director of the “Bastien und Bastienne” opera workshops of W.A. Mozart and “Il Campanello” by G. Donizetti, represented in various cities of the Valencian Community.
Josu Elberdin Badiola Born in 1976 in Pasaia, he finished his musical studies at the Conservatory of Middle Grade of Pasaia, where he obtained the titles of Professor of Piano and Singing. Since 2000, he has been a professor at the Municipal Music School of Pasaia, where he teaches and works closely with various choral and instrumental groups. He has also been the organist of the Parish of Our Lady of Carmen Trintxerpe since 1991. In the field of composition, his writings of compulsory and commissioned works by prestigious international Contests and Choirs for competitions and festivals, such as the Coral International Contest of Tolosa and the Cantat Junior Europe Contest, are worthy of note. Although his compositions are of a choral character, he has a large output of symphonic, instrumental and pop-rock works.
Alonso Gómez Gallego He is a piano teacher; senior professor of musical education, music theory, transposition and accompaniment; senior professor of choral conducting, and Doctor at the University of Extremadura. As choir director, he has won 7 first national prizes at the head of the Amadeus Choir of Puebla de la Calzada and a Gold Diploma with the Choir of the same centre at the Children - Youth Festival of Torrevieja. He has given workshops and courses for the Extremadura Singing Institute and Choral Direction, for diverse choral groups, for the University of Extremadura and the University of Cantabria. He participates as a judge in national and international contests of composition and choral interpretation.
Ramón Gil González He has been a part of the choral world since he was a child and sang in the Choir of the Sagrada Familia in Madrid. He trained as a pianist, violinist and director, as well as being an industrial engineer and a graduate in Physical Sciences. Currently, he leads the Peñas Arriba Choir, associated with the Casa de Cantabria in Madrid, he is the deputy director of the Carlos III University Choir of Madrid, and has experience in management training at Agrupacoros, the most important network of children’s and youth choirs in the Spanish capital. Since October 2018, he is the new president of AEDCORO, (Spanish Association of Choir Directors).
Presenter The journalist and presenter with Televisión Española, Elena Sánchez, will be presenting the event for the third consecutive year. She currently presents the programs Days of cinema and History of our cinema on TVE-2. In addition, each July she presents the special programme ‘Vive San Fermín’, dedicated to the television broadcasting of the encierros -the running of the bulls in Pamplona. Among the numerous coverages that she has made throughout her professional career, the Goya Film Awards, the Prince of Asturias Awards and the Cervantes Prize stand out.
Compulsory Habanera “Rosita de un verde palmar”, a tribute to the eternal habanera
The compulsory habanera designated by the Municipal Board of Trustees of the Habaneras for the 65th International Contest of Habaneras and Polyphony of Torrevieja, which will be performed by each of the choirs participating, has its roots in history. It is one of the most traditional works of the genre, anonymous and folk in origin. Rosita de un verde palmar is an evocation of the most deeply rooted habanera, passed on from generation to generation, a faithful exponent of the most authentic folk music. Rosita is a true exaltation to love, the great theme par excellence of so many habaneras as they exist, this time treated from the point of view of lament due to absence. The lyrics of this habanera tell a possible story of love and heartbreak set in Cuba, between palm groves and coffee plantations, which symbolises an entire era at the end of the 19th century. Performed in Torrevieja for over a century, its catchy melody and rhythmic grace merge in perfect symbiosis, making it an essential feature of any event with the classic habanera. The custom and the popular character of this outstanding habanera, as well as the passage of time, have even resulted in variations in its lyrics depending on the geographical area where it is performed, since it is a work that has become popular up and down the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts. In some places, “Rosita” becomes “Rosina,” and the “guayabito” changes to a “guatemalo.” Even in the case of Torrevieja, one can speak of a second and third verse, in which the story continues to develop, but the course of the years, has meant that this first lyric that has endured. Past and present come together in this extraordinary choral version, brilliantly performed by the Torrevieja musician Manuel Martínez Guirao, to whom the Board also pays homage in this way, with the performance of this work in the contest phase. In a magnificent harmonic display, the traditional melody that is going to be performed by the different voices has been developed, giving “Rosita” a truly passionate and romantic air. Martínez Guirao thus leaves his mark on one of his best pages that has been performed by prestigious choirs such as the Donostiarra Choral Society. Rosita occupies a privileged place in the popular Havana songbook of all time and in its own right, it will now appear with golden letters in the history of the International Contest of Habaneras and Polyphony of Torrevieja, joining that select club of classic Habaneras. Aurelio Martínez López Musicologist
The 65th edition of the International Contest of Habaneras and Polyphony
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