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.
Baroque Music from the Spanish & Portuguese Empires
October 27, 2024
Fiesta presents a selection of music from the Spanish and Portuguese empires.
Cuarteto Latinoamericano Plays Mexican Romantic Music
October 20, 2024
One of the most prestigious string quartets in the world, the Cuarteto Latinoamericano has recorded the standard repertoire as well as a number of albums dedicated to Latin American music.
Classical Music from Puerto Rico
October 13, 2024
Puerto Rico has a strong popular music scene from different regions of the island. It also has a long and intense classical music history that is enhanced by this regional music. As a political exile of the great Spanish cellist Pau Casals, who lived and taught there and created an important international festival. In this program, Fiesta presents four Puerto ...
The Legendary Luis Pasquet
October 6, 2024
Pianist, arranger, orchestra conductor and band leader, a classical composer as well as a tango and jazz musician. Luis Pasquet was born in Uruguay in 1917 and lived for 95 years spent over several continents and with different types of music. Fiesta is proud to celebrate the life and music of this musical knight.
Choral Wonders of Latin America
September 29, 2024
Elbio shares many of the delightful choral works of Latin America. We will hear music ranging from Baroque to Modern. Included this week is Blas Galindo’s Cantata ‘a la patria’.
Leopoldo Miguez: 19th Century Brazilian Composer
September 22, 2024
Leopoldo Américo Miguez was a Brazilian composer born in Niterói. He was known as a champion of the music of Richard Wagner and directed the Instituto Nacional de Musica. He also wrote the music for Brazil’s Hymn for the Proclamation of the Republic. We will hear his Violin Sonata and Suíte à antiga.
Concierto Imaginario
September 15, 2024
Fiesta presents an imaginary concert featuring an overture by Spanish-Mexican composer José María Cheavez, an orchestral suite from Brazilian Alberto Nepomuceno and a violin concerto by the Argentinean Luis Gianneo.
Latin American Piano from Three Centuries
September 8, 2024
Latin American composers from the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries have developed an amazing and beautiful catalogue. Fiesta presents a selection of some of the greatest Latin American piano music from the past 300 years. With works by Heitor Villa-Lobos, Manuel Ponce, and Samuel Zyman.
Claudio Santoro, Brazilian Composer
September 1, 2024
Claudio Santoro (1919‐1989) was a prominent Brazilian composer and educator from the generation after Heitor Villa‐Lobos. Santoro combines amazing musical wisdom and technique with a gift to create powerful melodies. Listen to one of the best-kept secrets of 20th century music: Claudio Santoro.
Edison Quintana: Pianist Extraordinaire
August 25, 2024
Edison Quintana is acknowledged as one the most versatile and consummate pianists currently performing in concert halls in Mexico. Whether in jazz stylings, classical works for piano and orchestra or Latin-American folk music, he embraces all the possibilities his instrument.
Argentinian Master, Luis Gianneo
August 18, 2024
Composer, pianist, and conductor Luis Gianneo is acknowledged as one of the leading Argentine composers of the 20th century. He composed nearly 100 works from nearly every genre of classical music. We will share his symphonic poem El tarco en flor and his chamber work Segundo Trio.
Four Composers from Spain
August 11, 2024
Fiesta presents orchestral music by composers from different regions of Spain: Andrés Gaos from Galicia, Joaquín Turina from Andalusia, Eduard Toldrá and Xavier Montsalvatge from Catalonia.
Florencio Asenjo: Composer and Mathematician
August 4, 2024
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.
Braga Santos: Portuguese Composer
July 28, 2024
A prolific 20th century composer, Joly Braga Santos. wrote three operas, chamber music, film scores, and several choral works based on poems from the great classical and modern Portuguese and Spanish poets. He was also a prominent teacher, writer, and promoter of Portuguese music. On our program we will hear a symphonic overture, a concerto for stings, and his charming ...
Ricardo Castro: Romanticism in Mexico
July 21, 2024
Throughout the course of his life, Mexican composer Ricardo Castro toured and taught everywhere from New York to Leipzig.
Rebel and Composer Rodolfo Halffter
July 14, 2024
In the 1930s, Spanish-Mexican composer Rodolfo Halffter was a member of the Spanish “Group of the Eight,” a group of composers and musicologists who opposed musical conservatism.
Tomás Luis de Victoria: 16th Century Spanish Composer
July 7, 2024
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
June 30, 2024
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.
Music of Master Guitarist Abel Carlevaro
June 23, 2024
Uruguayan guitarist, teacher and composer Abel Carlevaro is known as the founder of his own school of guitar technique. He was also a master composer for the instrument, and we will hear his Milonga Suite No. 1 and Carlevaro’s 3 Estudios, a tribute to Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos.
Fresh Ink 2024: Recent Works from Latin America
June 16, 2024
Classical music in the 20th and 21st century has had a strong presence throughout Latin America and the world. On this program we will share interesting and beautiful music from composers Leonardo Coral, Manly Romero, and Roberto Sierra.