guitarist Santiago Lara and the bailaora Mercedes Ruiz have participated this week in the Mexico International Guitar Festival, an event almost three decades old. Without a doubt, one of the most important in the country.
The couple was in charge of closing this edition, the twenty-ninth, which has had the presence of great names of the classical guitar, world-class artists such as Yamadu Costa, Mauro Zanatta, Mirta Álvarez, Celil Refik Kaya, Héctor Rodríguez and Daniel Saboya.
Santiago Lara and Mercedes Ruiz showcased their talent in two parts. The first part featured their performance. Dual, a minimalist journey through guitar and dance that has already achieved great success in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, China, and of course Spain, where it has been performed in various cities across the country. And a second one with the international premiere of the Jerez-born artist's first symphonic composition, Concerto No. 1 for Spanish Guitar and Orchestra.
«The composer Santiago Lara brought his language flamenco to the symphonic terrain, but without losing an ounce of authenticity, according to the report in the newspaper Zocalo.
Regarding the first part, the Mexican press highlighted Dual as "an exercise in intimacy, purity and complicity," highlighting that "music and dance were linked in a profound dialogue, at times serene, at times volcanic, but always full of truth."
Accompanied by the Desert Philharmonic Orchestra and under the direction of Natanael EspinozaSantiago Lara took center stage in the second half of the performance to present the three movements of his symphonic work, which also drew applause from a devoted audience. "The composer brought his language flamenco to the symphonic terrain, but without losing an ounce of authenticity," the newspaper report states. Plinth.
Santiago Lara himself acknowledges that "it has been an incredible experience, and we are very proud to have taken part in such a prestigious and established festival as the Mexican Guitar Festival," an event that has also served "to allow my first symphonic work to be heard outside of Spain."
