On Saturday, October 4th, the Viña del Mar Municipal Theatre was filled with emotion with the performance of “Canto para una Semilla”, the emblematic work of chilean composer Luis Advis, which is based on the autobiographic ten-line stanzas by Violeta Parra. On the occasion, an orchestra and choral arrangement was presented by PUCV scholar, Félix Cárdenas.
Prior to the beginning of the cantata, the audience sang “El día de tu cumpleaños” by Violeta Parra, remembering the birth of one of the most important names in Chilean traditional music. Later, the voice and narration by her daughter, Isabel Parra, guided the story of this work together with the PUCV Andean Orchestra, Manuel Meriño, Los Precisos, Thaís Olivera and the Choir of the PUCV Music Institute, conducted by Franz Fonfach.
From the university, Jacqueline Páez, Vicerector of Community Relations, highlighted the institutional commitment to art and community: “Today, our university, as it has been during the entire year, has made available a program where art and culture have been brought closer, providing spaces for interaction and encounter at the Municipal Theatre”.
For her part, singer-songwriter Isabel Parra expressed that “for us as a family and the Violeta Parra Foundation, it is very important to celebrate this day together with the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso and the Viña del Mar Municipality”. “Canto para una Semilla” is a piece that is current, and we are happy to share it with new generations”.
The audience had a very emotional experience. Iván Menares, who attended the concert, commented that “I think this is the best thing I’ve seen live in my life. To see music from Violeta Parra’s heir, her daughter, and how they transformed those stanzas in music, is very impressive. Wonderful, a great cultural contribution. My gratitude to the Valparaíso Catholic University”.
Student Rebeca Miranda agreed: “it was very beautiful and emotional. There is great value in the promotion the university does of these concerts and that we are able to participate as students; a great opportunity that not everyone has”.
In this way, the PUCV reasserts its commitment to the promotion of the chilean musical heritage and the creation of spaces for cultural exchange that connects generations through art and culture.
By Nicole Day
Artistic-Cultural Relations Department
