Sundays at 8:00 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.
Cuban Composer Julián Orbón
October 4, 2026, 8:00 pm
Born in Spain, Julián Orbón lived and composed in Spain, Cuba, Mexico, and the United States of America. Aaron Copland referred to Orbón as “Cuba’s most gifted composer of his generation.” We will share some of his most beloved music including his Preludio and Danza for guitar.
Sonic Chemistry
October 11, 2026, 8:00 pm
Fiesta’s host Elbio Barilari picks a series of pieces with a particular sonic chemistry, including music by Cuban Paquito D’Rivera, Brazilians Radames Gnattalli and Heitor Villa-Lobos and Mexican Federico Ibarra.
Florencio Asenjo: Composer and Mathematician
April 24, 2021
Argentinan Florencio Asenjo came to the US in 1958 to work as a mathematician at Georgetown University. He was on the cutting edge of mathematical research and at the same time he composed very personal and striking music. Join us as host Elbio Barilari revisits the work of this Latin American genius.
Tomás Luis de Victoria: 16th Century Spanish Composer
April 17, 2021
Tomás Luis de Victoria is considered one of the top European composers of the 16th century. His music shows a remarkable sense of tonal contrast, foreshadowing the tonality of the Baroque era. Fiesta will share some of his beautiful music including the “Cum beatus Ignatius” as well as insight on his fascinating life.
A Fresh Look to the Brazilian Piano
April 10, 2021
Brazilian composers and pianists have established a long, solid and brilliant tradition. On this program Fiesta revisits the fascinating world of the Brazilian piano music. Including works by Mozart Camargo Guarnieri, Heitor Villa‐Lobos, Alexandre Levy and Oscar Lorenzo Fernández.
Spanish Medieval Music
March 27, 2021
A visit to the very famous 12th century Codex Calixtinus, the 13th century Martin Codex and the hypnotic sounds of early instrumental music.
Celebrating Agustín Barrios
March 20, 2021
Let’s enjoy together the legacy of this pioneer of the Latin America classical guitar. Along with Andrés Segovia, Barrios was instrumental in bringing the guitar to the concert hall. We’ll share some of his most popular works as well as some rare gems.
The Latino Concert Hall
March 13, 2021
Join host, Elbio Barilari as he takes you on a musical tour of Latin American and Iberican concert music. Featuring some of the greatest music written for the concert hall including the music of Heitor Villa-Lobos, Federico Moreno Torroba, and Manuel de Falla.
Latin American Piano
March 6, 2021
The history of Latin American piano starts in the 18th century, shows brilliant accomplishments in the 19th century and shines throughout the 20th and into the 21st century. Fiesta pays visit piano marvels by Camargo Guarnieri, Francisco Mignone and Leonardo Balada’s monumental concerto.
Baroque Music from Spain Part 2
February 20, 2021
We continue our guided tour through instrumental and vocal Baroque music from 17th and 18th century Spain.
Baroque Music from Spain Part 1
February 13, 2021
A guided tour through the evolution of instrumental and vocal Baroque music from 15th and 16th century Spain.
Music from Venezuela
February 6, 2021
Venezuela has a wealth of concert music, from the romantic period and into the 21st century. Fiesta will bring its audience to a musical tour on Venezuelan musical history. From Teresa Carreño to Alfredo Rugeles, we will present over 150 years of rarely heard music.
Palaces and Cathedrals
January 30, 2021
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.
12 Strings
January 23, 2021
Latin American and Spanish Music as recorded by famed guitarists Sharon Isbin & Eduardo Fernández. Included are works by Agustín Barrios, Carlos Chávez, Lamarque Pons, and a guitar trio version of Joaquín Rodrigo adagio from, Concierto de Aranjuez.
The Latin Side of Kronos Quartet
January 16, 2021
This prestigious string quartet has dedicated many recordings to the music on Latin America, including the original monumental piece, Astor Piazzolla’s “Tango Sensations”.
Brazilian Gala
January 9, 2021
In this program of Fiesta we present a luxurious tribute to the most beloved Brazilian popular songs. Featuring the Symphony Orchestra of the State of Sao Paulo and Banda Mantiqueira performing traditional choros and sambas.
An Ideal Imaginary Concert
January 2, 2021
Continuing with our series Imaginary Concerts: think that you are attending a symphonic concert in which instead of hearing one of the so-called the “standard concert repertoire”, the orchestra starts with a colorful Latino overture, continues with a fantastic Latino concerto and tops the evening with a full scale Latino symphony.
Orchestral Music from Mexico
December 26, 2020
Mexico has and always had an incredible number of great composers. Ever since the Colonial period, Mexican composers of the first rate have been contributing to music. Fiesta will look beyond the three titans of Mexican music, Manuel Ponce, Carlos Chávez and Silvestre Revueltas and showcase composers from the present and the past that deserve to be better known.
Latin American Christmas Carols
December 19, 2020
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.
Fresh Ink
December 12, 2020
Classical music in the 20th and 21st century has had a strong presence throughout Latin America. Host Elbio Barilari share some of the most interesting and beautiful music to come out of Latin America in the past decade. Recent pieces by composers from Puerto Rico, Mexico, Argentina, and Uruguay.
Alicia de Larrocha
December 5, 2020
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.
Latin American Composers You SHOULD Know!
November 28, 2020
Heitor Villa-Lobos, Carlos Chávez, and Alberto Ginastera are at the prow of the Latin American music ship. On this episode of Fiesta, we go beyond those giants and feature other Latin American composers that you should know!