Music in D.C.: Millennium Stage--Opera and Gaiteros

The Millennium Stage showcases a wide variety of musical artists--from classical opera to Colombian folk music.  We recently attended performances featuring both genres.  Check it out.

Classical Opera:  Each Summer, American University and the Kennedy Center's Washington National Opera co-host a training program for talented young opera singers from around the world.  Greg called it Opera Summer Camp.  The singers are high school aged and must audition for admission to the program.  

We event hearing the students sing.  The students in the program performed solos, duets and ensembles. Their performances were strong.  You can hear for yourself by clicking here.  Below are photos of some of the opera singers.

Colombian Folk Music:  On another night, we attended a performance featuring a troupe of performers from Colombia, Los Gaiteros de San Jacinto.  The troupe appeared in folkloric costume and played traditional percussion and wind instruments.  A gaitero is a piper, a musician playing a long wooden flute.

A lead vocalist sang stories in Spanish while the musicians played lively music.  Halfway through the performance an accordionist joined the group, which added melody and personality to the music.  

The troupe included two costumed dancers who whirled up and down the aisles.  Plus, the audience included many attendees from Colombia who joined the dancing.  A good time was had.  

Dancing in the aisles

To sample the performance, click here.

Thanks for joining us at the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage.