ARS LONGA DE LA HABANA

Tesoros de América: Baroque Music from Cuba and the New World

Legendary Cuban early music group ARS LONGA DE LA HABANA makes its triumphant return to New York City in a special co-presentation by 5BMF, GEMAS (Gotham Early Music Scene/Americas Society) and Baryshnikov Arts Center. Twelve musicians of Ars Longa present “Tesoros de América,” a thrilling program of villancicos and dances from the 17th and 18th century colonial Americas.

Founded in 1994 by soprano Teresa Paz and baroque guitarist Aland Lopez, Ars Longa is Cuba’s premiere early music group. They return in 2020 on their third U.S. tour with 12 singer/instrumentalists. Since 1995, Ars Longa has belonged to the Historian’s Office of Havana City and has performed all over Cuba as well as in many European and Latin American countries. Several of their 14 CD releases have received international acclaim by such entities as Diapason, Le Monde de la Musique, Telerama and Classica. Their repertoire focuses on 18th century music written by Cuban composer Esteban Salas and other composers of the Caribbean and Latin America region. Many of their pieces reflect the blending of African slave roots with Spanish influences in the New World — both secular and sacred. Their music is lively and accessible, blurring the lines of performer and listener in an outburst of joy and celebration.