The Phoenix Symphony is announcing Latin Fire concerts at Symphony Hall April 21-April 23 that will be full of passion and celebration for Latin American orchestral music.
The concerts will feature virtuosic fireworks from acclaimed trumpeter José Sibaja and soprano Mónica Abrego. Curated and conducted by Enrico Lopez-Yañez, the sizzling program includes Tico-Tico no Fubá, Bésame Mucho, Granada, Carmen Suite, Libertango, and Brasil.
“Latin Fire is an upbeat, high-energy, and all-around entertaining tribute to Latin culture, music and performers,” said Lopez-Yañez. “You’ll feel like grabbing a partner and dancing at Symphony Hall. It’s an unforgettable experience!”
The concerts will be held April 21 at 7:30 p.m., April 22 at 7:30 p.m. and April 23 at 2 p.m. Tickets are available for purchase on The Phoenix Symphony’s website.
Partnership with Arizona Latino Arts and Cultural Center
The Phoenix Symphony is holding its Preludes activities prior to Latin Fire, featuring Latino artists from throughout the Valley. The Symphony has partnered with Arizona Latino Arts and Cultural Center (ALAC) to showcase visual artists in the lobby and dance performances by local Cachito Dance Project. The Latin Fire Preludes will take place April 21 at 6:30 p.m., April 22 at 6:30 p.m. and April 23 at 1 p.m.
Enrico Lopez-Yañez, Guest Conductor and Curator of Latin Fire
Lopez-Yañez is the Principal Pops Conductor of the Nashville Symphony where he leads the Symphony’s Pops Series and Family Series. Lopez-Yañez is quickly establishing himself as one of the nation’s leading conductors of popular music and becoming known for his unique style of audience engagement. Also an active composer/arranger, Lopez-Yañez has been commissioned to write for the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra and the Houston Symphony, and has had his works performed by orchestras including the Detroit Symphony, Seattle Symphony, Ft. Worth Symphony, Utah Symphony, Rochester Philharmonic, Columbus Symphony, and Florida Orchestra.
Since working with the Nashville Symphony, Lopez-Yañez has conducted concerts with a broad spectrum of artists including: Patti LaBelle, Kenny Loggins, The Beach Boys, Richard Marx, Toby Keith, Trisha Yearwood, Kellie Pickler, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Megan Hilty, Hanson and more. Lopez-Yañez also conducts the annual Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th fireworks show which was first televised on CMT in 2019 reaching millions of viewers across the nation.
Jose Sibaja, Highly Acclaimed Costa Rican Trumpet Players
Jose Sibaja’s career ranges from international appearances as an orchestral soloist with Springfield Symphony Orchestra, Orquesta Sinfonica Venezuela, and Orquesta Sinfonica Nacional de Costa Rica, to worldwide tours with Ricky Martin for the Vuelve and Living la Vida Loca tours. Currently, Sibaja plays lead trumpet with the world renowned Boston Brass.
Receiving his musical training at the New World School of the Arts and the University of Miami, Sibaja’s vast musical repertoire and his masterful artistry make him a prominent figure in a new generation of musicians. He has held positions as principal trumpet with the Miami Symphony, the Sinfonieta de Caracas and Orquesta Sinfonica Venezuela, as well as a position with the Dallas Brass.
With televised performances on the American Music Awards, the MTV Awards, the Grammy Awards, and the Latin Grammy Awards shows as well as appearances on Conan O’Brian, Saturday Night Live, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Today Show, Late Night with David Letterman and numerous television appearances in more that 40 countries; Sibaja’s talents are not limited to live audience performances. Having recorded with such artists as Ricky Martin, Alejandro Sanz, Luis Enrique, Rey Ruiz, Tito Nieves, Celia Cruz and Gloria Estefan among others; Jose Sibaja redefines the idea of a concert artist with a rich mix of stylistic genres surpassing the very stereotype of today’s classical musician.
Mónica Ábrego, One of Mexico’s Most Outstanding Sopranos
Mónica Ábrego has performed on stages around the world with a diverse repertoire which includes opera, lied, oratorio, folk and popular music.
Ábrego has performed with many orchestras such as the San Diego, Colorado, Iowa, Key West, Delaware, La Jolla, Aguascalientes and Bulgaria symphony orchestras, as well as Chihuahua Philharmonic Orchestra with whom she toured Mexico and the USA. She has performed the roles of Serpina (La serva padrona), Norina (Don Pasquale), Lauretta (Gianni Schicchi), Gilda (Rigoletto), Magda (La rondine), Violetta (La traviata), Manon (Manon), Musetta (La bohème), Olympia (The Tales of Hoffmann), Nanetta (Falstaff), Susanna (The Marriage of Figaro), Gretel (Hansel and Gretel), María (Tango Operita – María de Buenos Aires) and recently as Micaela (Carmen).
Ábrego made her debut at Carnegie Hall in 2003 in New York City as a soloist for the Pacific Opera Encore company; she also has sung in Lincoln Center’s Merkin Hall and has continued performing in these venues on numerous occasions. Her passion for music has given her the opportunity to proudly perform traditional Mexican music alongside Champaña Nevin Mariachi, both in México and USA, several concerts at the Jacobs Music Center. In 2012 her first album Alma Mía was released by Vientos del Sur Productions. Her debut recording includes Bossa nova, Méxican music, musical theater and tango.
About The Phoenix Symphony
The Phoenix Symphony is Arizona’s largest performing arts organization and one of the state’s most important cultural assets. In addition to performing traditional and modern repertoire in the fall and spring in Symphony Hall and around the Valley, its world-class musicians are actively engaged in the community thanks to generous foundation, corporation, and individual support. The Symphony is strengthened by collaborating with renowned guest conductors and artists. The core mission of The Phoenix Symphony is to provide the joy of live music as a catalyst for discovery, knowledge, compassion, and connection. Annually, orchestra members empower more than 120,000 students through education and partnerships and create opportunities for deeper connection for tens of thousands of adults experiencing homelessness, in Alzheimer’s care facilities, in hospitals and in hospice. To learn more, please visit phoenixsymphony.org
Image Courtesy of The Phoenix Symphony
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