Mexican Orchestra performs at GPAC

By Megan Quinlan
Asst. Around Campus Editor

The State Symphony Orchestra of Mexico (OSEM), directed by Enrique Batiz, performed four musical pieces at the Givens Performing Arts Center Feb. 12 at 8 p.m.

The four musical pieces played were: “Candide Overture” written by Leonard Bernstein, “Concierto de Aranjuez” by Joaquin Rodrigo, “Sinfonia N° 2, India” by Carlos Chavez and “Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 43” by Jean Sibelius.

Alfonso Moreno played solo guitar with orchestra accompaniment.

Ramon Ruiz, a junior, is a member of the Florence Symphony Orchestra (FSO) of South Carolina and said he was excited to have the opportunity to hear one of the songs that his orchestra had played the night before OSEM’s performance: “Concierto de Aranjuez.”

“I thought it was a very good insight as a musician to not only be able to perform this piece, but to also be able to hear this piece by another orchestra.

“FSO used a much larger orchestra for this piece, and the style the guitar was played was much different. It’s amazing to hear the same piece played in such a different way; they were awesome,” Ruiz said.

The orchestra was founded on Aug. 27, 1971, by Mexico’s government.

The orchestra travels the world in order to create union and identity to worldwide Mexican citizens.

In 1975 the orchestra made its first tour to the United States, and then toured in Germany and Europe.

It was the first institution of its kind to visit the 16 political divisions of the Federal District.

The orchestra gave concerts in different areas in the capital of Mexico, such as the Bellas Artes Theater and National Auditorium.
The orchestra performed at several festivals, including the Fourth Festival of the Historic Center of Campeche and the Orchestral Festival organized by the National Council for Culture and Arts.

The Orchesta Sinfonica del Estado de Mexico, as the orchestra is known in Mexico, covers the broadest range of music than any other Mexican orchestra. Some of the most well-known works include Verdi, Rossini, Beethoven, Schumann, Brahms and Tchaikovsky.

“The final number of tickets issued was 479 and of that number, 71 were UNCP students. The show was wonderful. Those in attendance raved about the Orchestra," Patricia Fields, executive director of GPAC said.

Future shows include Swan Lake on March 11 and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof on March 27.

Ticket prices are as follows: premium $27, orchestra $25, gallery $15 and UNCP students $5.