Orquesta de Guitarras

After a long ride in a chicken bus to the town of Rivas (3 hours waiting on a hot bus and 3 hours driving), we arrived back in Granada for a quick dinner before heading to the Tres Mundos Cultural Center for an orchestral performance.  We were all a little grumpy, myself included, about heading out again in the Nicaraguan humidity.

The Tres Mundos Cultural Center was hosting the Orquesta de Guitarras Armando Morales Barillas.  The Orquesta de Guitarras was founded in 2005 and is made up of students from the Conservatorio de Musica de la UPOLI.  The orchestra is named in honor of guitarist Armando Morales Barillas, a Nicaraguan classical guitarist who became famous for interpreting Nicaraguan and Latin American melodies in classical style. The group is touring around the Country and we were lucky enough (we later found out) to take in its first performance.

We had no idea what to expect and frankly did not have high hopes for an amazing performance.  Wow, were we wrong.  The group of 14 guitarists, including a musician visiting from the United States, were outstanding. They performed classical Nicaraguan music along with overtures from Bach and Handel.  Who knew a group of guitarists could actually imitate the sounds of a full symphonic orchestra? 

Our favorite part was the piano like performance when the guitarists clicked their finger nails on the wooden frame of the guitars.  We were also blessed in the middle of the performance by a Central American rain that rang on the roof and misted through windows in the concert hall. If you are interested in hearing its music or watching a video, please go to www.orquestaarmandomoralesb.com.

Posted by Ingelise