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International Habaneras Competition in Spain Features Choirs from 13 Countries
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Technology

International Habaneras Competition in Spain Features Choirs from 13 Countries

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Context piece
  • The 72nd International Habaneras and Polyphony Singing Competition will take place in Torrevieja, Spain, featuring choirs from 13 countries.
  • Over 700 choristers will participate, with the competition scheduled from July 19 to July 25, including a gala dedicated to local talent and competitive performances.
  • A mandatory habanera, 'Habanera de sal,' will be performed by all competing groups, with a total prize pool of 47,500 euros.

Torrevieja, Spain, is set to host the 72nd edition of its renowned International Habaneras and Polyphony Singing Competition, drawing choirs from 13 nations. The event, commencing Sunday, will bring together over 700 choristers for a celebration of music and cultural exchange. Declared a Festival of International Tourist Interest, the competition has also received the Medal of Cultural Merit from the regional government of Valencia.

This year's opening gala has been moved to midday to avoid clashing with the FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina. The competition officially runs until July 25. A special evening on July 20 will be dedicated to local talent, showcasing ensembles from Torrevieja, a coastal city in Alicante known for its rich musical heritage.

The competitive phase is scheduled from Tuesday, July 21, to Friday, July 24. Fifteen groups representing thirteen countries will vie for top honors. Each participating choir must perform the mandatory habanera 'Habanera de sal,' composed by Belén Puente with music by Antoni Mas, alongside two chosen habaneras and two polyphonic works. The festival boasts a total prize fund of 47,500 euros, with the prestigious 'Ricardo Lafuente' Habaneras prize, including a trophy, carrying a 12,000 euro award.

The habanera, a musical genre originating in Cuba, is characterized by its slow, nostalgic rhythm and has been widely adapted and popularized in Spain. This edition will feature extensive audiovisual coverage, including recordings of all seven galas for a special program on Spanish public television (TVE) and live broadcasts by local television stations. Renowned tenor and music communicator José Manuel Zapata will host the event, which will also include parallel activities such as coral concerts in various city venues and the XIII International Habaneras and Choral Singing Conference.

The habanera is a musical genre of Cuban origin that was adapted and popularized in Spain, characterized by its slow and nostalgic rhythm.

— EFEDescription of the habanera genre featured in the competition.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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