NSSO goes Beyond Border with musicians from Chile

Scintillating performances filled the precincts of the Central Bank Auditorium located St Vincent Street, Port-of-Spain, on December 7, when visiting Chilean musicians merged their musical might with Trinidad and Tobago’s very own National Steel Symphony Orchestra (NSSO).

Tita Parra and Greco Acuna were the South American musicians.

Parra, the granddaughter of Chilean music icon Violetta Parra, sang lustily with countryman Acuna on percussion, before the NSSO was introduced.

Her singing style was graceful with a repertoire that epitomised joy. Me Gustan Los Estudientes (I Love the Students) was but one of the selections that communicated that feeling. But her counterpart Acuna would not be denied. Using a range of percussion instruments with unique voices, he displayed his mastery.

Under the music direction of Akua Leith, the NSSO brought its own diversity to the evening’s musical tapestry and won visible approval from the guest musicians and Chilean ambassador His Excellency Fernando Schmidt for its treatment of a segment titled Cantos Hilados.

Culture Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby Dolly exchanged tokens of appreciation with ambassador Schmidt. Both officials expressed gratitude for the opportunity to promote the cultures of each country.

The music production was a result of dialogue between the Government of Chile and Government of Trinidad and Tobago represented by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, during an official visit to the South American country earlier this year.

PHOTO: (From left) Akua Leith, music director of the NSSO, Greco Acuña, Tita Parra, Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, Minister of Community Development, Culture and the Arts and His Excellency Fernando Schmidt, Ambassador of the Republic of Chile to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

SEAN NERO