An in-person, socially distanced concert featuring guest artist Miramar performing alongside your Richmond Symphony.

In most of Latin America, if you’re by the sea, there is bound to be a place called Miramar very close by. It will typically have a postcard view of the sea – and if music is playing, chances are that it will be boleros: the romantic ballads that originated in Cuba at the turn of the 20th century. When Puerto Rican singer Reinaldo Alvarez was looking to name a new Bolero project he searched for something simple that would be familiar to Spanish speakers; a name that would reflect the humble poetry of everyday life. Miramar seemed perfect: a romantic snapshot of a place both close and far away from home.

Miramar, the group, aims to capture that poetry through their music. The band features the alluring vocals of Alvarez singing in harmony with acclaimed vocalist Laura Ann Singh. Alvarez and Singh met through the vibrant music scene of Richmond, VA  where they each lead other noted musical projects.  Singh, who regularly spends time in Brazil, is an established jazz vocalist noted for her Bossa Nova interpretations with her band Quattro Na Bossa. Alvarez, also a visual artist, is a known fixture in the Richmond music scene as the lead singer of the international touring salsa band Bio Ritmo. The binding factor is band leader, pianist and arranger Marlysse Simmons. She has been composing, together with Alvarez, for Bio Ritmo since 2003 and separately with Singh for other projects through the years.

In the Latin world, Boleros are the ultimate expression of love and suffering. They hold cross-generational and cross-national appeal. Inspired by this golden age of romantic music, particularly in Latin America, Miramar revives classic boleros and writes original music always searching for the ephemeral essence of that sound and genre.

Their debut album on the Brooklyn based Barbès Records is a tribute to Sylvia Rexach, a maverick Puerto Rican composer and poet who was an emblematic figure of San Juan’s bohemian scene of the 50’s. Recently they worked with the grammy winning label Daptone Records for the release of their bolero-rock 7” Salida/Urgencia. The band has been been featured on NPR’s Tiny Desk and has toured the USA, Puerto Rico, France and Russia.

 

Click HERE to learn more about Miramar.

Click HERE to read more about Chia-Hsuan Lin, Conductor.

Click HERE for information regarding our COVID-19 health & safety procedures.

 

Please note that all artists, programs, and prices are subject to change without notice.