Sundays at 10:00 pm
Exploring the diverse traditions of Latin American and Iberian music
Devoted to showcasing Latin American and Iberian music from the 16th century to today, Fiesta brings creatively and historically significant compositions and artists to audiences. Acclaimed composer, musician, and professor Elbio Barilari is your guide on this adventure through a rich musical landscape. Enjoy and learn about the lively, compelling, and seldom-heard treasures of Latin American and Spanish classical music from around the world.
Puerto Rican Composer Ernesto Cordero
May 5, 2024, 10:00 pm
Guitarist and composer Ernesto Cordero was born in New York in 1946. He studied in Puerto Rico, Spain, Italy and the US. And he has become one of the most important voices among Puerto Rican composers. We will feature his vocal and orchestral work Estampas Criollas as well as a guitar concerto.
Alicia de Larrocha
May 12, 2024, 10:00 pm
Fiesta celebrates the legacy of the great Spanish pianist Alicia de Larrocha. We will share some of Elbio’s favorite recordings of this amazing artist.
Music from Haiti
March 23, 2019
Colonized by France, and the first country in Latin American to win its independence, Haiti is often neglected or forgotten in the context of the Latin American culture. However, it has a strong musical tradition. Fiesta will bring to the audience some of its most important composers.
Great Latin American Guitar Composers
March 16, 2019
Guitar music is one of the strengths of the Latin American repertoire.
Memories from Sefarad
March 9, 2019
Sefarad is the name the Spanish Jews gave to that land, thence their denomination as Sephardic people. Expelled from Spain alongside the Muslims, their culture, and their language, the Ladino, have been preserved in Northern Africa, Greece, Turkey and the Netherlands.
Two-Hundred Years of Solitude
March 2, 2019
Social struggle and conflict have punctuated the history of Latin America. Art has always been a reflection of a society and music can be one of the most powerful. On this program, Elbio Barilari presents musical works linked to society and human landscapes.
Highlights from the 13th Chicago Latino Music Festival
February 23, 2019
The Chicago Latino Music Festival is the biggest classical music festival of its kind in the US. Featuring fantastic performers and a repertoire that goes from the Colonial period to the present. The 13th edition of this festival had a focus on the guitar and featured players Eduardo Fernandez, Fareed Haque, and Ivan Resendiz.
Teresa Carreño, Composer
February 16, 2019
Born in Venezuela in 1853, Teresa Carreño was one the first Latin American women with an international career as a pianist, composer and teacher. Fiesta looks into the life and music of this piano virtuoso nicknamed the “Valkyrie of the Piano.”
Smiles and Tears
February 9, 2019
Humor in music is fun to do, but it is not easy to pull off. This week we have a few great examples that even Mozart would laugh along with.
The Sound and the Fury
February 2, 2019
Latin American classical music is full of passionate and emotional music. Host, Elbio Barilari shares some of his most favorite composers who aren’t afraid to show the passion of their music.
Palaces and Cathedrals
January 26, 2019
Latin American colonial music has been a well hidden treasure. But, in the last 20 years the world has discovered the wealth and variety of the scores and traditions of the fascinating Latin American baroque. We hear some of these lost works that have been kept in the palaces and cathedrals of Bolivia, Brazil, and Mexico.
The Other Side of Moncayo
January 19, 2019
Fiesta explores the lesser known works of the great Mexican composer, José Pablo Moncayo.
Ildegonda
January 12, 2019
Today a footnote in a history full, mostly, of Italian, German and French names, there were Latin American composers considered mega-stars in the opera houses of the 19th century. Mexican Melesio Morales reached the height of his fame with his masterful opera Ildegonda.
Great Latino Virtuosi
January 5, 2019
Host, Elbio Barilari shares some of the great Latin American music in the hands, lips, and throats of some of the most gifted Latino interpreters.
Camerata de las Américas
December 29, 2018
One of the leading chamber ensembles dedicated to music written in the Americas, Camerata de las Américas, is the focus for this program.
Latin American Christmas Carols
December 22, 2018
A selection of villancicos or Christmas carols from Spain and Latin America are featured on this Christmas themed program from Fiesta. Join us for music that spans several centuries and a great diversity of influences and traditions.
Fiesta Goes to the Movies
December 15, 2018
During the golden age of Hollywood, countries like Mexico, Brazil and Argentina also developed their own healthy movie industries. Smaller nations also contributed to a robust catalog of Latin American movies. Almost every important Latin American composer from the last hundred years has been asked to compose film music, from Heitor Villa-Lobos in Brazil, to Silvestre Revueltas in Mexico, to ...
Latin American Classics
December 8, 2018
The music of Latino composers has made its way into the standard repertoire of music halls across the globe. Host Elbio Barilari shares some of the most known compositions as well as some that he thinks will become classics! Join us for this look into the past and the future of Latino classical music.
Spanish Baroque
December 1, 2018
In Spain, during the Baroque period there were many significant but often forgotten composers. Fiesta shares some of the treasures of the Spanish Baroque including music by Antonio Literes, José de Torres, and Gaspar Sanz.
Latino Salon
November 24, 2018
Popular in Europe in the 19th century, salon music made its way over to Latin America. Embraced by many composers and performers this style of music took on a new life across the ocean. Featured on this program is music from Venezuela, Cuba, Mexico, and Brazil.
Great Guitarists and Composers from Latin America
November 17, 2018
Some of the greatest performers and composers of the guitar have come from Latin America. In this program host, Elbio Barilari share some of his favorite pieces for this versatile instrument and some of the most important works for classical guitar.
Music for El Día de los Muertos
November 10, 2018
El Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, has inspired much music in Latin American culture.