This digital concert was premiered on April 6, 2023

Reprising Aristides Rivas’ Suite Boricua, a favorite piece from 2019 commemoration of Pablo Casals and the all-cello orchestras he made popular in his music festivals in Puerto Rico, the young musicians from Boston String Academy take the stage at the Salvation Army Kroc Center in Uphams Corner.

Rivas conducts the Boston String Academy players for the piece, which was written in two versions: for an all-cello orchestra and a more typical string ensemble. Percussionist Jorge Arce (on bombas) joins the young musicians.

Rivas, a Venezuelan-American, also appears as a cellist to perform a brand-new trio composition alongside two other extraordinary Venezuelan artists, cuatro innovator Carlos Capacho and harpist Eduardo Betancourt. Drawing on the expertise of our professional musicians, the program also features an array of originals and South American favorites from various genres.

All the musicians - professional and student alike - come together at the end to perform a newly-orchestrated Rivas piece together!