| | |  Vallarta Living 
The Valentine Becas Benefit Classical Concert Under The Stars
 Cecile and Rod Scriban - PVNN
February 19, 2010
| | The large and appreciative audience was treated to a magical outdoor musical soiree | |
Under a fiery red sunset, this year's long awaited Valentine Benefit concert, our 2nd of its kind commenced! We have indeed much to celebrate - our support for Becas Vallarta's 40 plus year's commitment to continued academic, and now also basic music, education for the bright and musical underprivileged youths of Vallarta.
| | Vallarta's own artists, guitarist Mario Blanco and his daughter, pianist Adriana Martνnez | 
| | This year's long-awaited Becas Benefit Concert commenced under a fiery red sunset | |
Similar to last year, this idyllic Los Jardines del Patio de Los Arcos venue at The RainTree Vacation Club (formerly Club Regina and Westin), hosted a well attended and groomed audience who sipped wine while reading up on the musical backgrounds of both Vallartan classical musicians, the guitarist, Mario Blanco and daughter/pianist Adriana Martinez projected on an overhead screen as sea breezes swayed palms and stars appeared one by one in the evening twilight...
Next, in lieu of the conventional printed programs, were the luminously projected titles of each piece of music to be heard all beautifully illustrated. But the concert program itself was an exciting and eclectic mix of musical styles played on 2 different instruments, keyboard and strings.
After the initial exuberant welcome from the Master of Ceremony and gracious acknowledgements from the President of Becas Vallarta, Mariel Fregoso, we started off with Antonio Rovira's beloved Romanza, to continue with Carlos Gardel and Juan de Dios' favorites in Tango Suites and Ariel Ramirez' Alphonsina y el Mar - all of which were seductively rendered by Mario's expressive guitar.
Adriana followed next on piano competently tackling the exacting technique and baroque style of J.S. Bach's Prelude and Fugue No.9 in E major BWV 854, then delighting the hushed crowd with 3 nimbly played movements of Mozart's Sonata in B flat major K570 to finish off with a charming work of Manuel M Ponce's, Mexico's very own Chopin with his Mazurka No 2 in C sharp minor.
Now under starry skies, the second part of the concert continued after a brief Intermission with another lyrical piece of Ponce's, appropriately that of the beloved Estrellita to conclude on a classic note again with a transporting Haydn Divertimento in C major, all played as a duo on guitar and piano by father and daughter.
Here of course we're witnessing 2 generations with totally different musical disciplines, yet communicating jointly in perfect harmony in the universal language of music!
An 'encore' soon followed with Mario's rendition on the popular love theme from the Titanic to big rounds of applause, thus ending this wonderful Valentine musical soiree with a standing ovation from such a warm and appreciative audience!
Finally, it is to all of you dear audience and friends with your wonderful support for good education and a vibrant classical music culture in our community that we must applaud and thank you for most heartily!
As well, our sincerest thanks go to:
Director Ricardo Murrietta of the Biblioteca Los Mangos for introducing our Vallartan music performers, Mario Blanco and Adriana Martinez.
Mr. Otto Pareto and staff of Hotel Westin Resort and Spa for the use of the piano and providing logistical support.
Mr. Miguel Palazuelos and staff of the RainTree Vacation Club for providing the concert venue.
Mr. Luis Acevedo and Mr. Eric Meza of PSAV for contributing the audio/video system.
All our Becas Vallarta volunteers who have helped with publicity, sales and photos for this event.
To learn more about Becas Vallarta, click HERE or visit BecasVallarta.com. If you would like to volunteer or make a tax deductible donation, please call Polly Vicars at 011-52-322-223-1371 or Buri Gray at (322) 221-5285, or send an email to becasvallarta(at)gmail.com. |
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