Concert on the Square

Last Saturday evening there was going to be a free outdoor concert on Mexico City's main plaza, the Zócalo, by the "Orquesta Filarmónica".  After visiting the exhibit in the Palace of Iturbide, Alejandro and I had a leisurely dinner at one of our favorite restaurants, "El Cardenal", and then walked to the Zócalo.  We thought that the concert was going to begin at 7:00, but, in fact, it started at 6:00.  So, by the time we got to the plaza, the concert had already begun.

The Metropolitan Cathedral, illuminated at night

The Zócalo was crowded with people attending the concert.  We had to stand to the side with a limited view of the stage.

The program began with suites from Tchaikovsky's ballets "The Nutcracker" and "Swan Lake".  By the time we got there, the orchestra was finishing "Swan Lake".

After the Tchaikovsky, the orchestra turned to Mexican pieces.  The waltz "Sobre las Olas" (Over the Waves) was published in 1888 by Juventino Rosas.  It became internationally famous, and you will recognize it.  In the U.S. it is known as "The Loveliest NIght of the Year".

"Huapango" by José Pablo Moncayo is my favorite piece of classical Mexican music.  It is so popular that is often referred to as "Mexico's second national anthem".

The concert concluded with Christmas music.  (Yes, many of our Christmas carols are sung down here, but with Spanish lyrics.)

The orchestra, of course, is not on a par with the renowned Cleveland Orchestra (not many are), but they were very good.  Even though we missed the first part of the concert, it was an enjoyable event.