The San Ginés Polyphonic Choral Association celebrated its 50th anniversary with the "Renaissance Concert", one of the many that will be held throughout this year and be able to share them with all those who share their passion for choral music.
The event held last Saturday night at the Santo Domingo de Teguise convent brought together a large audience, filling the capacity allowed by the organization. For this concert, the choir had the musical support of six great musicians, a small formation "Orchestra of Ministriles", professionals from the Higher Conservatory of Music of the Canary Islands such as José Antonio Padilla Melián - Cornetto, Cristo Rubens Delgado Bautista - Sacabche, Francisco Blay Martínez - Sacabuche, Gustavo Navarro Torres - Vihuela and Renaissance Lute, Vicent Bru Soler - Organ and Ximo Martínez Castelló - Percussion. Laila Bitar Frah - Soprano, Director Elías Roldán.
The concert began with Pavana (instrumental) by Claude Gervaise (1525-1583), continuing with "Ay, triste que vengo" by Juan del Enzina (1468-1529), Tres morillas me enamoran" Anonymous (Cancionero de Palacio) among others until reaching the central part of the concert "La Justa" by the composer Mateo Flecha el Viejo (1481-1553), in which a medieval battle between good and evil is recreated through music, beginning with an introduction continuing with the Presentation of Lucifer, Combat and Victory of Adam ending with the Combat where Christ defeats Lucifer.
At the end of the work, the audience stood up and rewarded the masterful performance with applause. The Director, Elías Roldán, very grateful for the applause throughout the concert, rewarded them with an encore.
The concert was organized by the San Ginés Polyphonic Choral Association, the Culture Area of the Cabildo de Lanzarote and the collaboration of the Teguise City Council. The Minister of Culture of the Cabildo de Lanzarote, Alberto Aguiar Lasso, and the Councilor for Culture of the Teguise City Council, Nori Machín Barrios, were present at the concert.
History of the choir
The San Ginés Polyphonic Choir was founded in 1973 by Braulio de León Navarro, being its director until 1986, after a period of inactivity due to the death of its director, its members decided to form an association, electing María Piedad del Río Sendino as the new director. From that moment on, activity began again until today, actively participating in the musical life of Lanzarote, receiving recognitions such as the Pancho Lasso Medal from the Cabildo de Lanzarote, to which is also added the award granted by the Arrecife City Council on the occasion of the Bicentennial of the City of Arrecife.
Throughout these years, the choir has had different directors including Alicia García Uña, José Antonio Elías Roldán, Javier Díaz González and currently the direction is once again directed by José Antonio Elías Roldán.
