The Saturday evening concert included the unforgettably Mediterranean melodies that comprise Leonard Bernstein's Symphonic Dances from West Side Story, as well as Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet Suite. The performance began with stirring versions of the national anthems of Cuba and the United States.
Program
Saturday, May 16, 7 p.m. (CDT)
Teatro Nacional de Cuba, Havana, Cuba
Minnesota Orchestra
Osmo Vänskä, conductor
CUBAN NATIONAL ANTHEM: La Bayamesa
UNITED STATES NATIONAL ANTHEM: The Star-Spangled Banner
ALEJANDRO CATURLA: Danzon
BERNSTEIN: Symphonic Dances from West Side Story
PROKOFIEV: Romeo and Juliet Suite
(The Friday evening concert can be heard here.
For complete coverage of this historic trip, visit classicalmpr.org/cuba.
Classical Minnesota Public Radio's coverage of the Minnesota Orchestra's historic tour to Cuba is made possible by Glen and Marilyn Nelson. Additional support comes from 3M, Pentair, Ecolab, and from Lorraine Hart.
Photos by Nate Ryan
The Minnesota Orchestra bows as the audience gives them another standing ovation. MPR Photo / Nate Ryan
A musician reviews the score before the May 16th performance. MPR Photo / Nate Ryan
Bass trombonist Andrew Chappell warming up before the May 16th concert. MPR Photo / Nate Ryan
Cellist Anthony Ross applies rosin to his bow. MPR Photo / Nate Ryan
A view from the Teatro Nacional de Cuba. MPR Photo / Nate Ryan
A view from the Teatro Nacional de Cuba. MPR Photo / Nate Ryan
Guests dropped off in front of the theater. MPR Photo / Nate Ryan
A quick candid snap of rehearsal. MPR Photo / Nate Ryan
Osmo VA¤nskA¤ takes a bow while concertmaster Erin Keefe looks on. MPR photo / Nate Ryan
The audience, already standing for the Cuban national anthem, applauds. MPR Photo / Nate Ryan
The Minnesota Orchestra perform The Star Spangled Banner. MPR Photo / Nate Ryan
A view from the strings section. MPR Photo / Nate Ryan
Tubaist Steven Campbell. MPR Photo / Nate Ryan
Trumpet player Manny Laureano. MPR Photo / Nate Ryan
The woodwinds section of the Minnesota Orchestra. MPR Photo / Nate Ryan
Osmo VA¤nskA¤ viewed from behind the harps. MPR Photo / Nate Ryan
Osmo VA¤nksA¤. MPR Photo / Nate Ryan
Osmo VA¤nksA¤. MPR Photo / Nate Ryan
The audience rises to their feet for the first of several ovations. MPR Photo / Nate Ryan
Osmo VA¤nskA¤ reacts to the audience's applause. MPR Photo / Nate Ryan
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