• Submitted by: manso
• Arts and Culture
• 12 / 09 / 2010

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By ANGELA PIDDUCK Thursday, December 9 2010. The Lydian Singers’ Christmas presentation, the “Misa Cubana”, under the direction of Maestro Pat Bishop, opens tonight at Queen's Hall and runs until Sunday.

“The Misa Cubana,” writes Zia Holder, daughter of Corrinne and the late actor Wilbur Holder, a recent graduate from film school in Washington, “promises to be quite a joyful noise and the highlight of the Christmas season.”

Holder interprets the music as: “A thread winding its way down the Caribbean archipelago, it is one that speaks of our ethos as a distinct people. Weaving its way through our lives and hearts, it is present in our daily tapestry, from the rhythm of our feet, to the rhythm of our speech and the sound of our voices raised in unison." And says, “It is in this spirit that for the Christmas 2010 season, The Lydian Singers, Lydian Steel and Desperadoes present Misa Cubana by living Cuban musical legend Jose Maria Vitier.


The vanguard ensemble will perform Vitier's work for the first time ever in the Southern Caribbean. Bishop notes that this will expose a cultural connection that was hitherto under explored by our people. Indeed, the music of Misa Cubana is a fusion that embraces both the sacredness of religious ritual and the cadence of Caribbean rhythm. Vitier's resonant "Dejame tomar asiento", a highlight of the Misa, is a testament to this vibrant style.

“This premier performance will also feature the first ever adaptation of the Misa Cubana to steel pan. A fact that is not lost on Vitier himself, who has accepted the invitation to attend this pioneer performance by the Lydians. It is a rare occasion when the composer of a great work can witness an independent mounting of his piece, and vice versa, when an ensemble can perform their interpretation for him. It is with this reverence that the Lydians continue on in a tradition of performing complete works in languages other than their native English.”

“According to Bishop,” says Holder, “the music of Misa Cubana is such that it just begs for dance, and with this in mind the ensemble has also teamed up with The Caribbean School of Dance and Metamorphosis Dance Company. The dancers will give movement to the music and the story of the Virgin of Charity of Cobre, patron saint of Cuba."

Vitier dedicated Misa Cubana to the Virgin to whom himself and his wife, Sylvia, prayed when their son, Adrian, was gravely ill.

The three Vitiers arrived in Trinidad last Saturday afternoon and were greeted at the airport by a section of the Lydians singing “ Ride the Chariot” and “The Lord Bless You and Keep You” in the arrival hall. The story is told that the miraculous powers of the Virgin were felt when the statue was discovered at sea by three men in a boat , who survived rough weather through her grace, and brought La Virgen ashore. To this day the statue resides in El Cobre Basilica and her shrine is known to be the most important religious site in Cuba.

Tickets costing $150 are available from Signature 2000 at The Normandie St Anns, La Tropicale Flower Shop St James, members of both the Lydians and Desperadoes, and at the Queen’s Hall Box Office.

Source: www.newsday.co.tt/features/0,132216.html