EFE — Caracas paid tribute to Spanish poet and playwright Federico García Lorca (1898–1936) on Saturday with the poetry-and-music performance Lorca as You Wish, an event attended by Spain’s ambassador to Venezuela, Álvaro Albacete.
“Lorca as You Wish means that people can enjoy Lorca from many different perspectives. He was a poet, a playwright, and a musician, and today’s performance reflects all of those dimensions,” Albacete said.
The diplomat emphasized Lorca’s multifaceted talent, noting that he wrote poetry, played both guitar and piano, and “managed to harmonize traditional Spanish songs.”
Organizers presented the performance ahead of the 90th anniversary of Lorca’s death, which falls on August 18. The production combined orchestral music with recitations of the Spanish writer’s poetry.
Performers recited works including “Green, How I Want You Green…”, one of Lorca’s most celebrated poems, as well as “The Spilled Blood.” The musical production embraced a flamenco style while blending rumba, sevillanas, tanguillo, and other genres, and also featured flamenco dancers.
The performance explores the Spanish poet’s literary legacy and his work as a composer of music for his theatrical productions.
Alfredo Rugeles directed the production, while Milvia Piazza oversaw its general production. The event featured the Simón Bolívar Chamber Orchestra, with musical arrangements by Luis Freites and Pedro Chacón.
The cast included Marcia Piña and Roberto Vílchez as vocal performers, alongside musicians Luis Freites (double bass), Juan Carlos Hernández (percussion), Pedro Chacón (lead guitar), and Juan Ernesto Velázquez (rhythm guitar).
Federico García Lorca was a Spanish writer born in Fuente Vaqueros, Granada. His work reflected strong social sensitivity and rich symbolism.
Firing squads executed Lorca at the outset of the Spanish Civil War, and his death turned him into a symbol of repression and of those who disappeared during the conflict.
Earlier this week, Albacete announced that the embassy had organized “an extensive program” of events that includes “a series of works by Lorca and about Lorca” to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Spanish poet’s death.
