Next to the Casa de la Cultura across from City Hall, and right next to the Municipal Library, the new Municipal Arts Center hopes to open its doors to students by February. The building itself will house a number of programs that form part of Puerto Peñasco’s Introduction to Fine Arts Program, under the auspices of INBA (National Fine Arts Institute). To ready the rooms for students, finishing touches are to include special floors for dancers along with the repair and purchase of instruments for aspiring musicians. Events, such as the Winter Opera Gala on Dec. 30th, hope to assist in readying the facilities for students in the local arts program. Come on out for an evening of opera, along with traditional Mexican and Italian songs, and take part in furthering local arts across the community!
WINTER OPERA GALA! December 30th 8 p.m. Municipal Auditorium Returning soprano Rocio Olalde joins tenor Héctor Palacio and pianist Inna Leytush for an evening of opera classics along with Mexican and Italian favorites. Tickets 400 pesos (approximately $25 US) Tickets and reservations at: Puerto Viejo Café in the Old Port and the Casa de la Cultura (across from City Hall)
- Rocio Olalde: Following training in Viena and Sweden, this Mexican soprano has an extensive musical background, which includes presentations in Mexico and across Europe. Olalde has resided in Sweden since 2003; this will be her second gala performance in Puerto Peñasco following an initial visit in 2013.
- Héctor Palacio: Originally from the Mexican state of Tabasco, Palacio has captivated audiences across Europe, including along his self-created tour “Bésame Mucho”, which visited the border regions of Letvia, Poland, and Lithuania last year. His background has also included operatic training and performances in New York City, including his 2005 participation in the Martina Arroyo Foundation program “Prelude to Performance.”
- Inna Leytush: An accomplished pianist, teacher, and performer with both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music from conservatories in her home country of Russia. She has participated in numerous international festivals and worked as a music director for both opera and concerts encompassing Russian music. Leytush currently resides in the greater New York area where she directs the Allegro Singers.