Press Release
After Hurricane Ian's visit to Charleston last September forced Holy City Arts & Lyric Opera—HALO —to cancel the opening concert of their 2022/2023 Season, it was unclear if the performance would be able to be rescheduled. But as the cross section of the organization's fate continues to be “where opportunity meets serendipity” (Charleston Style & Design, August 2022), HALO is thrilled to announce that Cuba dentro de un piano, an intimate evening celebrating the classical music traditions of Cuba and Spain, will take place on Monday, March 27th at the historic Dock Street Theatre.
The concert was originally a highlighted calendar event during the City of Charleston's Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations.
“The irony isn't lost on us that HALO's first indoor performance was canceled due to weather,” says Dimitri Pittas, HALO's Founding Artistic Director, “and we're honored that the stars aligned so that these highly sought after artists of Hispanic heritage can still be featured in this year's programming.”
This art song recital stars Cuban-American soprano Elaine Alvarez and Mexican-American pianist, Christopher Cano. The program includes selections by Spanish and Cuban composers including Xavier Montsalvatge, Manuel de Falla, Joaquin Turina, Ernesto Lecuona, Eduardo Sanchez de Fuentes, and Gonzalo Roig. Throughout the evening, Charleston's own Gino Castillo and The Gino Castillo Quartet will illuminate the stage and courtyard with sounds of traditional Cuban Bolero and Cha Cha Cha mixed with some jazz spices. All selections will be sung in Spanish. English translations will be provided.
“HALO exists to serve our entire community through quality, approachable art,” says Leah Edwards, HALO's Founding General Director. “Our hope is that blending the atmosphere of an iconic performance venue with the music of traditional Hispanic culture will inspire a transcendent experience that is unique to Charleston. Everyone should have the opportunity to share in that moment.”
An exclusive post-performance reception will be held in the courtyard immediately after the performance. Patrons will have the opportunity to meet the artists, and mingle with HALO founders Leah Edwards and Dimitri Pittas, as well as members of the City of Charleston's Latinx Advisory Council.
Cuba dentro de un piano is a one-night only event on Monday, March 27th at 7 pm. Doors open at 6:30 pm. General admission tickets are $50. Tickets for children under 12 are $5 with the purchase of an adult ticket. VIP tickets are $125 and include admission to both the concert and the post-performance reception. The Dock Street Theatre is located at 135 Church Street.
To purchase tickets, please visit www.holycityarts.org or call (843) 388-3243. To stay up to date with HALO happenings and find out how you can be involved, sign up to receive the newsletter. Additional information about HALO, including the full 2023 Spring schedule, can be found on HALO's website.
###
Founded in 2019, HALO is a 501(c)(3) non-profit arts organization and is the trademark holder for ‘Opera. For y'all.' and ‘Social Distance-SING!' HALO can be found @HolyCityArts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
