With the choice of three select works, the University of La Serena Symphony Orchestra put the finishing touch to the celebration of the Italian republic.

A new and exciting presentation of 'The Symphony of Cultures' arrived in the regional capital with great world-class artists and a masterful program. The musical journey included a magical journey towards opera and the European sounds of 'Bella Italia', captivating the attendees and the Italian community itself belonging to the Circolo Trentino di La Serena, Scuola Italiana Alcide De Gasperi and the Italo – Trentina Society, that filled the Municipal Theater of La Serena.

The captivating musical proposal featured the virtuoso explanation and direction of the guest teacher, Eduardo Browne, the masterful performance of the double bass soloist and member of the ensemble belonging to the Network of Professional Regional Orchestras of the Ministry of Cultures, Arts and Heritage, Manuel Figueroa-Bolvarán, and the Vocal Ensemble of the University of La Serena directed by the renowned national tenor Gonzalo Tomckowiack, who turned this seasonal presentation into a colossal choral proposal, with voices of the soloists Camila Gallardo, Javiera Zepada and Vanessa Medo.

Both for the community present in the territory and for the rector of the Scuola Italiana himself, the seasonal concert of the Symphony Orchestra of the University of La Serena was translated as a spectacular tribute to the Italian Republic. “With this presentation we are concluding the celebrations of the Italian holiday. The feeling today in Chile, in La Serena, in the Municipal Theater alongside the great Italian masters, accompanied by a great choral show, is a source of pride, honor and great satisfaction for us as a community. One of our objectives is to promote the Italian language and culture and precisely, through this participation, we are reaffirming our objectives and building a working alliance with the orchestra,” indicated Carlos Slomp.

Elizabeth Campillay, member of the choir of representatives of the Scuola Italiana, said that “I thought the musical proposal offered by the orchestra and the performance of the three choir soloists was super nice. As a group of friends and former representatives of the Scuola Italiana, this event is very enriching, since it allows us to improve and grow in the choral theme", adding that this inspiring concert "has allowed us to share and open up Italian culture to the rest of the attendees." , and that is very nice and we do it every day at our school. I love the integration that occurs in La Serena and the relationship that people have with immigrants; I know that Italian immigrants have been a valuable contribution to the region and for us it is very important that the community values ​​that.”

A journey to the heart of opera

The IV Season Concert, inspired by the roots of 'Bella Italia', gave life to three magnanimous and representative pieces: the 'La Scala di Seta' Overture, a comic farce with music by the composer Giocachino Rossini, the 'Concert for double bass No. 2' by Giovanni Botessini; to later culminate with the incomparable opera 'Gloria' by the composer Antonio Vivaldi, and a dazzling performance by the Vocal Ensemble of the University of La Serena.

For the guest conductor, Eduardo Browne, this musical day was described as a magical opportunity, marked by joy and novelty. “I am very grateful for the warm invitation that the Symphony Orchestra of the University of La Serena gave me, since they called me to do an Italian concert where I had the pleasure of conducting two pieces that I had never conducted before, and it is very nice to face new music made with the spirit with which this orchestra and the vocal ensemble work. The leadership provided by Leonardo Godoy, his concertmaster, and Gonzalo Tomckowiack, the choir director, is truly effervescent; It is a great pleasure to work with them,” he stated.

Regarding the guidelines for the 2018 season, Browne rescued and valued the musical commitment to honor the different cultures that have forged the idiosyncrasy and national culture. “I tremendously support the imagination they have had in programming. In the middle I have a desire that I hope this orchestra manages to excite the public so much, so that in time to come we will not only have one orchestra in this region, but we will have several more; in such a way that other regions also have the pleasure of having frequent presentations of orchestral music.”

After this successful presentation, the professional group is rehearsing for the V Season Concert inspired by another European power: France. The invitations are already available and can be picked up at the different distribution points: General public and older adults can go to the offices of the Seremía de las Culturas, Artes y Heritage (Colón N°848), La Serena Public Library (Colón N°495), Gabriela Mistral Regional Library (Juan José Latorre N°782) and/or Municipal Theater of La Serena (Benavente N°580). While school students and students from the University of La Serena should go to the Extension Office of the ULS Music Department (Larraín Alcalde s/n, between Los Jardines and Seminario). Those who are unable to withdraw their invitation will be able to purchase tickets at the municipal ticket office on the same day of the event, with prices ranging from $3.000 for the general public and $2.000 for seniors, school students and the University of La Serena, presenting their credential.

It should be noted that this presentation had the valuable support of the Italian institutions present in the region: Circolo Trentino di La Serena, Scuola Italiana Alcide De Gasperi and the Soc. Italo - Trentina SAC, as well as the important financing granted by the Ministry of Cultures, Arts and Heritage, through National Budget Glosa since 2016; added to the collaboration provided by the University of La Serena, the Illustrious Municipality of La Serena, through its Department of Culture and the Municipal Theater.

For more information about this new and amazing concert with French roots, you just have to visit the portal www.sinfonicalaserena.cl and follow the Fanpage: 'Orquesta Sinfónica Universidad de La Serena', Twitter: @sinfonicaLS and Instagram: sinfonicalaserena.