Liuba María Hevia Conquers Puerto Rican Audiences with Intimate and Memorable Concert

April 10, 2024

The sublime voice of Cuban singer-songwriter Liuba María Hevia delighted a receptive audience eager to hear good music. The stage of the Teatro de la Universidad de Puerto Rico (UPR) was the perfect venue for a spectacular encounter with trova, bolero son, and other styles of a composer who shines in the Cuban and Ibero-American musical landscape.

The singer-songwriter who has taken her music to various corners of the world such as France, Spain, Argentina, Switzerland, and Canada, to name a few, wasted no time in expressing her joy and satisfaction at being able to perform for the first time in Puerto Rico.

With guitar in hand and very communicative with the attendees, she shared anecdotes and stories before each performance. Her charming voice, accompanied by her beautiful lyrics, served as a refreshing aroma for the senses.

A screen in the background displayed videos of her songs and photos from her career. The singer-songwriter simply gave herself body and soul to offer an intimate concert as if it were in the home of each of those present.

The artist who has more than twenty recording productions was very well accompanied by Maribel Delgado (cuatro), Raúl Barrios (bass and guitar), William García (percussion), Olga Juliá (violin), Emilia Guerra Montenegro (cello), and Zulma Salvá and Tito Iván Soto (vocals).

Also present was Cuban singer and multi-instrumentalist Yusa, who masterfully performed the piece of her own authorship 'Para cuando sopla el viento' accompanying herself with her own strings. A beautiful and enchanting piece. Subsequently, she remained on stage to continue contributing musically.

Liuba María opened the evening with her inspired 'Coloreando esperanza' which quickly brought forth notes of pure feeling wrapped in the velvet of rich lyrics. Verses that elevate and make the heart beat immensely. In this opening song, the Puerto Rican cuatro (Maribel Delgado) naturally combined with the singer-songwriter's guitar, delivering pure feeling. 'Tu amor es el canto mío' and 'Como un duende' provided continuity to the musical feast.

The artist who has shared her voice with international figures of song such as Ana Belén, Danny Rivera, and Carlos Varela, among others, continued the delight with charming themes and deeply personal ones. 'Mi vieja Habana', 'Besos de café', 'Luna del 64', and 'Cómo no morirme en esta locura'.

She also addressed her brilliant work and commitment to children, remembering Cuban poet and trovadora Ada Elba Pérez (1961-1992) and the children's song 'Señor arcoíris'. A moment in which she invited all those under 150 years old to sing along with her. A colorful and beautiful video was projected in the background as an enriching visual complement. The piece 'Tantas vidas' gave way to a brief intermission that momentarily stopped the magical night.

The Cuban singer-songwriter named by UNICEF in 2012 as 'Ambassador of Good Will' returned to the stage to continue sharing her exquisite and particular interpretive charm. In her interaction with the audience, she spoke about her social work in marginalized neighborhoods and hospitals.

The pleasant sound of guitar, cuatro, cello, violin, and brilliant percussion took over in time and space within the venue. A historic theater that witnessed a majestic encounter with a singer-songwriter who held everyone's attention with other pieces such as 'Con un ramito de mejorana', 'Con los hilos de la Luna', and 'Ausencia'.

Simply, a feast. A nocturnal musical delight that captivated. A singer-songwriter who continues to leave immense footprints with the strength of her lyrics and beautiful voice.