Camerata Romeu Offered a Concert to Celebrate its 25th Anniversary

June 13, 2018

The Cuban group Camerata Romeu offered last Saturday the concert "Dance of the Witches" at the Minor Basilica of the Convent of San Francisco de Asís, as part of the functions for the orchestra's 25th anniversary.

Directed by maestro Zenaida Romeu, the proposal takes its name from the work "Dance of the Sorcerers," by Cuban musician Ricardo Lewis.

"We decided to take Lewis's title, but changing its genre in a somewhat humorous way, because our ensemble is composed only of women, although we did it with very serious intentions," Zenaida Romeu clarified.

The repertoire consisted solely of Cuban works, among them, Concerto for Flute and String Orchestra, by Franz Benda; an interpretation about the Age of Enlightenment, by José María Vitier; and the work Music for Strings, by Roberto Valera, as a tribute to this Cuban composer and pedagogue. The program was completed by Intrigue of the Ants, by Yadira Cobo; and Key for Strings and Percussion, by Yalil Guerra.

Participating as guests were Alberto Rosas, on flute; María de Lourdes Pomares, on violin; and percussionists Brenda Navarrete and Yaimi Karel Lay, the latter presentation as part of a unique space with batá drums.

Camerata Romeu was founded in 1993 by Zenaida Romeu and during five decades its impact on Cuban culture has been significant for the elegance, freshness and authenticity with which it approaches the best of chamber music from Cuba and the world.

This orchestra has performed works by composers Johann Sebastián Bach, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven and Antonio Vivaldi; as well as consecrated figures from Cuba such as Leo Brouwer, Esteban Salas and Ernesto Lecuona.