Baroque Music Festival in Chiquitos Misisons, Bolivia: April 26th – May 6th, 2012

Aracari’s Weekly Insight

The Question:

Where in Bolivia is a Baroque Music Festival held every two years?

The Answer:

Every two years there is a Baroque Music Festival held at the Jesuit Missions of Chiquitos in south eastern Bolivia. The festival is a fantastic way to experience the diverse and multilingual culture of the region, with the recital of the works of a variety of classic composers such as Vivaldi, Handel, Bach and Purcell (to name but a few) as well as original compositions by local people in a remote part of the Bolivian rainforest.

The festival was first conceived of after several thousand original sheets of music dating from the 17th and 18th centuries were discovered in the 1970’s during the restoration of the six missions churches at Chiquitos and Moxos. Composed by both European and indigenous composers alike, the works embodied a precious cultural treasure, evidence of the dedication to musical tradition in these fabulously adorned mission churches. The missions were subsequently recognised by UNESCO as “monuments of the cultural heritage of mankind” in 1990.

The idea behind the Baroque Music Festival is to preserve and promote the unique musical tradition of this part of Bolivia. Local people have had an outstanding ability to assimilate complex European musical instruments and scores, showcasing a unique musical revival taking place in one of the world’s least developed regions. And the fascinating concept of live classical music being played in this beautiful and diverse tract of nature is a joyous and glorious occasion, a real treat for those travellers who make the effort to attend.

2012’s festival, the ninth edition, will take place between the 26th of April and the 6th of May. Anybody interested in visiting should contact us to plan their itinerary, as Bolivia Travel Specialists we can not only take you to Santa Cruz in comfort and style but combine your visit with other attractions such as Lake Titicaca and the spectacular Salar de Uyuni salt flats.

 

Related Post
Machu Picchu Centenary Celebrations Live bands, a symphony orchestra, a traditional Inca “Tinkay” ceremony and a spectacular sound and light show are all on the bill for the official Mac...
The secret of Inca Stone Masonry & Inca Walls Cusco is notable for imposing walls and superlative stonemasonry, built by the Incas, that is a highlight of Cusco city walking tours. Cusco's Inca W...
A Trip to Istanbul, Turkey It was with great anticipation (and little preparation) that I boarded my Turkish Airlines flight to Istanbul last  week. Such little preparation that...
5 Reasons to Visit Peru in February Peru is a year-round destination with something exciting to see and do every month of the year. Many travelers think they should avoid Peru in Febr...
Bajada de Reyes in Lima and Ollantaytambo Every January 6, Peruvians celebrate Bajada Reyes to conmemorate the arrival of the Three Wise Men to the Nativity and the gifts they brought to the n...
Peruvian cuisine: a tool for social empowerment Top chefs Ferran Adrià and Gastón Acurio have been promoting Peruvian gastronomy as a force for social transformation and empowerment at a recent pres...