CUBA PROJECT
Working visit 21st - 28th February 2011
Since 2009, the Mozarteum Foundation has been facilitating and supporting the setup of the first Cuban youth orchestra, the “Lyceum Mozartiano de La Habana.” This orchestra is part of the “Instituto superior de Arte” (ISA), Havana University of the Arts, the major Cuban institution for training the next generation of musicians.
To date, the Mozarteum Foundation has been supporting this setup work together with the Mozarteum University by seconding music professors from Austria and other European countries and by transporting instruments. Representatives from the Mozarteum Foundation travelled with Mr. Reinhart von Gutzeit, Rector of Mozarteum University for another working visit to Havana Februaryfrom 21- 28, 2011 for the first public concert by the Lyceum Mozartiano Orchestra in Havana’s Cathedral Square under the direction of Maestro Jorge Rotter (Mozarteum University).
The impressive venue in Havana, the successful concert and the numerous constructive meetings that the Mozarteum Foundation held in Havana show that the project in Cuba has taken root in all the major institutions and in the minds of the people and demonstrates its strong support.
Moreover, the Mozarteum Foundation has managed to gain an additional long-term partner, the Mozarteum University,in the course of supporting the project.
To prepare the orchestra for future appearances, including international tours, these young people will travel in April 2011 to various towns in Cuba for two weeks and perform a European classical program. The orchestra views the required financial support as a sign of major government recognition.
The work on the Cuba project, which will be constantly expanded by the Foundation and secured with the aid of the EU, allows the Mozarteum Foundation to act as an international ambassador and mediator for Mozart and to support long-term cultural exchange in a sustainable manner.
