YourClassical

Photos: Minnesota Orchestra perform at Teatro Nacional in Havana, Cuba

The Minn. Orch. onstage at the Cuban National Theater, Osmo Vänskä cond.
The Minnesota Orchestra onstage at the Cuban National Theater, Osmo Vänskä conducting. Joined in Beethoven's Choral Fantasy by Cuban pianist Frank Fernandez; and the Coro Nacional de Cuba and Coro Vocal Leo. May 15th, 2015. MPR photo/Nate Ryan

The Minnesota Orchestra played to a packed house in Havana last night for the first concert of its historic tour. The all-Beethoven program received repeated standing ovations.

After the concert, French horn student Arletto Juarez explained that a U.S. orchestra is unlike anything she's heard.

"Ah, [it] was amazing. Here the sound was different, here in Cuba we don’t have that sound."

Tonight, the orchestra will perform a final concert that will be broadcast live across Cuba and can be heard starting at 7 p.m. on Classical Minnesota Public Radio.

After Saturday's concert, some orchestra members will sit in on a jam session at a Cuban jazz club.

Theater lobby
Inside the Teatro Nacional lobby before the Minnesota Orchestra performance. Over 25 photographers and videographers captured the historic event. MPR Photo / Nate Ryan
Brian Newhouse (Host), Rob Byers, Brad Althoff, Michael Osbourne.
Host Brian Newhouse, Director of Operations, Rob Byers, Managing Producer Brad Althoff and Technical Director Michael Osbourne. MPR photo / Nate Ryan.
View from the Teatro Nacional
View from the Teatro Nacional. May 15th, 2015. MPR photo / Nate Ryan.
Osmo Vänskä thanks the Cuban audience.
Osmo Vänskä thanks the Cuban audience. MPR Photo / Nate Ryan
The Minn. Orch. onstage at the Cuban National Theater, Osmo Vänskä cond.
The Minnesota Orchestra onstage at the Cuban National Theater, Osmo Vänskä conducting. MPR photo / Nate Ryan.
Osmo Vänskä conducts the Minnesota Orchestra.
Performing an all-Beethoven concert, Osmo Vänskä conducts the Minnesota Orchestra. May 15th, 2015. MPR photo / Nate Ryan.
Osmo Vänskä and the Minnesota Orchestra musicians on stage.
Osmo Vänskä and the Minnesota Orchestra musicians on stage at the Teatro Nacional. MPR Photo / Nate Ryan
Audience members
Audience members watching the Minnesota Orchestra perform at the Teatro Nacional. May 15th, 2015. MPR photo / Nate Ryan.

More photos and coverage can be found at ClassicalMPR.org/Cuba

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