Marin Alsop to Conduct Cuba's Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional for Havana's 500th Anniversary

Perhaps this is one more piece of evidence to support the mended relationship between the United States and Cuba. Marin Alsop, music director of both the Baltimore and São Paulo Symphony Orchestras, will conduct the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Cuba in celebration of Havana's quincentenary.

The concert is a co-production of Columbia Artists Music LLC (CAMI Music) and ELCCNY, in cooperation with the Cuban Institute of Music in Havana and the Ministry of Culture of Cuba at large.

According to Tim Smith of the Baltimore Sun, "Baltimore Symphony Orchestra music director Marin Alsop will conduct the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Cuba in an outdoor performance Oct. 9 in the Plaza de la Catedral of Old Havana." This marks the latest entry in Classicalite's has reportage regarding American-Cuban relations via symphonic music. Back in May, Minnesota's music director Osmo Vänskä traveled to Cuba with his band for an historical performance--the first U.S. orchestra to play in Cuba since President Obama announced steps earlier this year to re-establish diplomatic relations.

Ms. Alsop has been the music director of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra since 2007 and recently had her contract extended to 2021. She is recognized throughout the world for her innovative approach to conducting and her deep committment to music education of all ages around the globe. The maestra took up the post of principal conductor of the São Paulo Symphony Orchestra in 2012 and became M.D. in July 2013, with her contract being extended to the end of 2019. She continues to steer the orchestra in both creative programming, recording ventures and, of course, education and outreach activities (as well as their annual Campos do Jordão International Winter Festival).

This time around, however, Alsop will be joined by two world-renowned pianists in Cuba. According to All Things Strings, the talented she'll be performing alongside Chinese concert pianist Lang Lang and Afro-Cuban jazz pianist Chucho Valdés.

Now, let's just hope Alsop delivers another impassioned speech from the podium--something about how music trumps Communism?--as per her last night at the Proms in 2013.