Between November 10 and 14, the Valparaíso Region will again become the center of culture and artistic exchange, thanks to the XXII Darwin Vargas PUCV International Festival of Contemporary Music, which will welcome the participation of great national and international guests. All performances will be free of charge to the public.
The Inauguration of the event organized by the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso through its Music Institute and Conservatory, IMUS, considers a tribute to chilean composer Gabriel Matthey Correa and performances by the Chilean Guitar Consort, directed by Andrés González; and the Calliope Trio (Italy), by Letizia Rossi, on Monday, November 10, 7 PM at the Isabel Brown Caces Building, IBC, located at Avenida Brasil 2241, Valparaíso.
The festival program included the traditional call to composers to submit their works, premieres in Chile and absolute premieres, and academic activities such as round tables, conferences, educational concerts, masterclasses, mediations and open workshops.
To this respect, the director of the competition and IMUS scholar, Darwin Vargas, recalled that since 2003 there have been 21 editions of the festival that have taken place, promoting exchange and the dissemination of contemporary music both with chilean and foreign works.
“The festival has allowed us to raise the profile of our Institute, our university and this competition, which takes the name of the renowned chilean composer, Darwin Vargas. Calling new musical talents and welcoming great composers and performers to our region, shows that the behind-the-scenes effort has been more than productive and very meaningful regarding the quality results we have obtained”, he complemented.
Professor Cárdenas also thanked the National Music Promotion Fund of the Ministry of Culture, Art and Heritage (MINCAP), and invited the whole community to join this valuable art, exchange and music learning opportunity.
An attractive program
During the second day, on November 11 th , the audience will be able to enjoy performances by the Grupo Percusión Valparaíso, directed by Nicolás Yaeger; the italian-based clarinet soloist Luis Insulza; the chilean flute player Alejandro Lavanderos and the noted argentinian pianist Analía Marigliano. This will take place at 7PM at the PUCV IBC Auditorium.
On Wednesday, November 12, the performances include the PUCV Chamber Choir conducted by Manuel Suazo and the PUCV Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Juan Pablo Aguayo, also at 7 PM at the PUCV IBC auditorium.
For the fourth day, on Thursday 13, the event will move to Espacio Destino Valparaíso, Museo del Inmigrante, located at Calle Concepción 499, Valparaíso. Performers include the NAP Ensamble (the Netherlands), the premiere of works by the festival director, Felix Cárdenas and the musician Patricio Wang (Chile); and the Bolivia Native Instruments Experimental Orchestra, conducted by Gabriela Saravia.
Finally, on Friday, November 14, the festival will close with performances by the F(r)actura Ensamble, conducted by Andrés González: the scholar and musician, Valeria Valle; the duet comprised by the mezzosoprano Scarlet Nuñez and pianist Andrés Silva, performing two songs by Darwin Vargas; and the PUCV Andean Orchestra, conducted by Félix Cárdenas.
During the Festival, there will also be a tribute to a renowned figure of the national music scene, saxophone player Gabriel Matthey, instrumental, vocal and electroacoustic music composer. He has held various positions, among them the presidency of the Chilean Music Council, in addition to being a member of the National Composers Association (ANC, for its name in Spanish).
IMUS Communications Department
