Racba Launches 26th Sacred Music Cycle in Santa Cruz
The Royal Canarian Academy of Fine Arts (Racba) launches its 26th Sacred Music Cycle this Saturday in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, offering free concerts in various churches throughout December.
The Royal Canarian Academy of Fine Arts (Racba) is starting its 26th Sacred Music Cycle in Santa Cruz de Tenerife this Saturday. The cycle will continue on December 13th and 20th, with performances held in different churches across the capital of Tenerife.
Musicologist and Racba president, Rosario Álvarez Martínez, directs the cycle, which is coordinated by academician Conrado Álvarez Fariña. It is supported by the Government of the Canary Islands. Entry to all performances is free, on a first-come, first-served basis until the venues are full.
The program starts today, December 6th, at 8:30 PM, with a concert by Camerata Lacunensis, led by Francisco José Herrero, at the Parish Church of San Francisco de Asís. They will perform Rossini's (1792-1868) "Petite messe solennelle." The performers include Javier Laso on piano, Alejandro Rodríguez on harmonium, Celia Martín (soprano), Samuel Tapia (countertenor), Carlos Lezcano (tenor), and Andrés Rodríguez (bass).
On Saturday, December 13th, at 8:15 PM, the Parish of Nuestra Señora del Pilar will host the organ concert "A Man and His Legacy." This concert will feature Daniel Cardiel, a young organist, orchestra and choir conductor, harpsichordist, and musicologist from Segovia. He will perform works by Bach (1685-1750), Mendelssohn (1809-1847), Franck (1822-1890), and Guilmant (1837-1911).
The cycle concludes on Saturday, December 20th, at 8:00 PM, at the Parish of Nuestra Señora de la Concepción. Here, the Baroque Ensemble quintet will present the concert "Sonatae ad Lucem," performing pieces by Bach, Dall’Abaco (1675-1742), Corelli (1653-1713), Von Biber (1644-1713), Gabrielli (1644-1704), and Telemann (1681-1767). The quintet members are Lorena Padrón (director and baroque violin), Pablo Sosa (traverso), Amarilis Dueñas (baroque cello), Raquel García (harpsichord and organ), and Pablo Rodríguez (narrator).
Racba has organized this music cycle since 1999, and it has grown into one of Santa Cruz's most important December events. Thanks to a growing and appreciative audience, sacred music has become well-established in the city, placing Santa Cruz de Tenerife on both the national and international map for this musical style.