Musicians from the Concert Band of the western Cuban province of Matanzas under the direction of Mexican Maestro Guillermo Villareal will give a concert on Saturday on the occasion of the 120th anniversary of relations between the two nations.

The concert, to take place in the La Libertad Park, in the city of Matanzas, is part of activities to commemorate the establishment of relations between Cuba and Mexico on May 20, 1903.

According to Professor and Researcher Villareal, the concert is special due to the possibility of listening to songs with deep historic roots between the two countries, such as mambos by Cuban musician Damaso Pérez Prado with special arrangements by Eugenio Toussaint, from Mexico.

The Concert Band of Matanzas will also perform the symphonic poem Janitzio by Silvestre Revueltas, the contradanza from the Cecilia Valdes zarzuela, bolero arrangements by artists such as Pedro Junco, Ernesto Duarte, and Consuelo Velazquez, he said.

According to Band Main Director Yoannia Calama, it is a privilege to be directed for the first time by outstanding Mexican musician and conductor Villareal in a concert that will demonstrate the cultural ties that exist between the two nations.

The concert will also become a propitious occasion to celebrate the 212th anniversary of Mexico’s Independence and recall musical themes that represent a milestone in the history of both peoples.