First World Countertenors Festival Underway in Havana

Catalan Xavier Sabata last night performed a baroque repertoire at the Marti Theater, accompanied by French Ronan Khalil on the harpsichord and Cuban Alejandro Martinez on the cello

Recognized countertenors are attending the first ever festival for this type of voice.

The festival, is putting on a diverse and exquisite program, which includes Catalan, Xavier Sabata, who last night performed a baroque repertoire at the Marti Theater, accompanied by French Ronan Khalil on the harpsichord and Cuban Alejandro Martinez on the cello.

Entitled ‘Con Che Suavita’ the repertoire included compositions from the 16th to 18th centuries, mostly Italians such as Girolamo Frescobaldi and Claudio Monteverdi, and the German, Georg F. Handel.

The event continues in the theater of the National Fine Arts Museum on Tuesday and Wednesday, hosting programs by Portuguese Manuel Bras da Costa and Italian Riccardo Angelo Strano.

American Darryl Taylor will perform in a concert at the Marti Theater on Thursday, October 6th, entitled ‘A Love Letter From a Brother.’

The World Countertenors Festival is as the first of its kind, organized by the Leo Brower Office and is described as the perfect combination of intelligent music.