Wainwright Libre

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Wainwright performing in 2015 Rufus Wainwright (March 2015).jpg
Wainwright performing in 2015

"Wainwright Libre", sometimes fully titled "Wainwright Libre: Rufus in Havana", [1] was a concert series and "fan experience" by Rufus Wainwright, held during September 21–25, 2017, in Havana, Cuba.

Rufus Wainwright American-Canadian singer-songwriter and composer

Rufus McGarrigle Wainwright is an American-Canadian singer, songwriter, and composer. He has recorded seven albums of original music and numerous tracks on compilations and film soundtracks. He has also written a classical opera and set Shakespeare sonnets to music for a theater piece by Robert Wilson.

Havana Capital city of Cuba

Havana is the capital city, largest city, province, major port, and leading commercial center of Cuba. The city has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of 781.58 km2 (301.77 sq mi) – making it the largest city by area, the most populous city, and the fourth largest metropolitan area in the Caribbean region.

Cuba Country in the Caribbean

Cuba, officially the Republic of Cuba, is a country comprising the island of Cuba as well as Isla de la Juventud and several minor archipelagos. Cuba is located in the northern Caribbean where the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean meet. It is east of the Yucatán Peninsula (Mexico), south of both the U.S. state of Florida and the Bahamas, west of Haiti and north of both Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. Havana is the largest city and capital; other major cities include Santiago de Cuba and Camagüey. The area of the Republic of Cuba is 110,860 square kilometres (42,800 sq mi). The island of Cuba is the largest island in Cuba and in the Caribbean, with an area of 105,006 square kilometres (40,543 sq mi), and the second-most populous after Hispaniola, with over 11 million inhabitants.

Contents

Description

Cuban singer-songwriter Carlos Varela performed at one of the concerts. Carlos Varela at MIFF (cropped).jpg
Cuban singer-songwriter Carlos Varela performed at one of the concerts.

"Wainwright Libre" was a concert series and "fan experience" incorporating music and tourism, [1] during which Wainwright performed in Havana, and guests accompanied him for "adventures, sightseeing, fine cuisine, dancing and music", over four days and nights. [2] Participants stayed at the Melia Miramar Hotel and attended two concerts, which were scheduled to take place between September 21 and 25. [2] [3] One of the planned performances was a private, solo show, and the other was open to the public and featured a full orchestra and Cuban musicians, [1] including singer-songwriter Carlos Varela. [2] [3] Advertised activities included "cigar and rum tastings, rhumba and salsa dance parties, visits with Cuban visual artists, additional concerts from local musicians", a music discussion led by Wainwright, [4] and a workshop on Cuban music led by Interactivo's Roberto Carcassés. [2] [3] The excursion was organized by Dreamcatcher events. [1]

Carlos Varela (singer-songwriter) Cuban songwriter

Carlos Victoriano Varela Cerezo is a singer-songwriter of nueva trova from Havana, Cuba. In the 1980s, he joined the Nueva Trova musical movement, a political and poetic musical genre.

The music of Cuba, including its instruments, performance and dance, comprises a large set of unique traditions influenced mostly by west African and European music. Due to the syncretic nature of most of its genres, Cuban music is often considered one of the richest and most influential regional musics of the world. For instance, the son cubano merges an adapted Spanish guitar (tres), melody, harmony, and lyrical traditions with Afro-Cuban percussion and rhythms. Almost nothing remains of the original native traditions, since the native population was exterminated in the 16th century.

Interactivo is a collaborative group of Cuban musicians, led by the pianist, singer and composer Roberto Carcasses. As an acknowledgement of their growing notoriety, the band has recently been the subject of a documentary directed by Tane Martinez, and premiered at the Havana International Film Festival in December 2010.

Billboard described the excursion as "both an artistic and business venture" and apolitical, but noted that Wainwright "admits that politics, in this day and age, always has a role". [1] He told the magazine, "I'm not [going] to make a political statement, but being an American and living in the United States -- although I'm also Canadian -- and also being somewhat sane and reasonable, it's impossible not to be political at the moment." [1] Furthermore, Wainwright said of the relationship between Cuba, the United States, and their cultures: "It's about the meeting of these two movements, which is a tried-and-tested tradition between the United States and Cuba, and now more important than ever considering what's happening politically in both countries." [1]

<i>Billboard</i> (magazine) American music magazine

Billboard is an American entertainment media brand owned by the Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group, a division of Eldridge Industries. It publishes pieces involving news, video, opinion, reviews, events, and style, and is also known for its music charts, including the Hot 100 and Billboard 200, tracking the most popular songs and albums in different genres. It also hosts events, owns a publishing firm, and operates several TV shows.

The visit marked Wainwright's fourth to Cuba; he was reportedly inspired to perform in Havana after visiting the city's opera house during one of his travels. [1] Wainwright and Varela know one another, having performed together at a party for one of Wainwright's friends. [1] Prior to the excursion, he listened to Cuban music, especially underground music, which he also experienced during his travels to the country. [1]

Underground music musical genres beyond mainstream culture

Underground music comprises musical genres beyond mainstream culture. Any song that is not being legally commercialized is considered underground.

Promotion

Details of the "experience" were confirmed by Music & Arts Live in March 2017. [2] Wainwright said in a statement:

I've played with orchestras all over the world, and it's a very powerful experience that I'm excited to try in Havana. Cuba is a complete and utter revelation in terms of its historical treasures, vibrant presence and interesting future. I can't wait to share that with my fans! I'm sure it will be a great party, and we'll dance the night away. I think it's important to remain open and proactive about sharing who we are as a society, engaging in cultural exchanges, learning about other people, and really enhancing America's reputation as ambassadors. [2] [3]

He also said of the event's purpose, "I hope you walk away from the trip with new friends, memories, and a sense of the interesting realism of the place and the fantastical dream world that it can also engender. Cuba has an amazing mix of both elements." [4]

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Cobo, Leila (April 10, 2017). "Rufus Wainwright to Host Musical Havana Getaway". Billboard . Eldridge Industries. ISSN   0006-2510 . Retrieved May 3, 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Haas, Mariah (March 22, 2017). "Rufus Wainwright Set to Host 'Wainwright Libre' in Cuba". People . Time Inc. ISSN   0093-7673 . Retrieved May 3, 2017.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Reed, Ryan (March 22, 2017). "Rufus Wainwright Plots Orchestral Show for Cuban Fan Experience". Rolling Stone . Wenner Media LLC. ISSN   0035-791X . Retrieved May 3, 2017.
  4. 1 2 Flores, Griselda (March 23, 2017). "Rufus Wainwright Announces Fan Experience 'Wainwright Libre' in Cuba". Billboard. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
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