Proyecto Olga Iglesias presents the world premiere of their commissioned educational opera 'La Batalla de los Clásicos' at Teatro Emilio Belaval, featuring renowned Puerto Rican artists in an innovative work celebrating the island's classical music heritage.
San Juan, Puerto Rico – The Proyecto Olga Iglesias (OIP) is proud to announce the world premiere of La Batalla de los Clásicos, an innovative educational opera with music composed by Johanny Navarro and libretto by Paloma Sierra, commissioned to celebrate and teach Puerto Rico’s rich classical music heritage. The historic premiere will take place on November 19, 2024, at the Teatro Emilio Belaval at Universidad del Sagrado Corazón, marking a significant milestone in Puerto Rican cultural education.
This groundbreaking work brings to life the legendary musical rivalry between Puerto Rico’s three greatest classical composers: Felipe Gutiérrez y Espinosa, Juan Morel Campos, and Manuel Gregorio Tavárez. Through engaging musical storytelling, La Batalla de los Clásicos transforms historical musical debates into an accessible and entertaining educational experience for audiences of all ages.
The premiere performance features an exceptional cast of renowned Puerto Rican artists: Hilda Ramos (soprano) as the Presentadora, Christian García (tenor) portraying Felipe Gutiérrez y Espinosa, Carlos Ortiz (tenor) as Juan Morel Campos, and Martín Alicea (baritone) bringing Manuel Gregorio Tavárez to life. These distinguished performers will showcase the unique musical styles and personalities of each composer while educating audiences about their contributions to Puerto Rican cultural identity.
Anthony Cheney Guzmán, Founder and Executive Director of OIP, expressed his excitement about this landmark event: “The world premiere of La Batalla de los Clásicos represents the culmination of our vision to make Puerto Rican classical music history accessible and engaging for new generations. This opera transforms what could be a dry historical lesson into a vibrant, entertaining experience that celebrates our musical heritage while educating audiences about the genius of our greatest composers.”
Originally commissioned in September 2023 through OIP’s partnership with Universidad del Sagrado Corazón, La Batalla de los Clásicos has already demonstrated its educational impact through successful performances earlier this year. The opera’s unique approach to music education aligns perfectly with OIP’s mission to preserve and promote Puerto Rico’s classical music legacy through innovative programming.
The Teatro Emilio Belaval at Universidad del Sagrado Corazón provides the ideal venue for this premiere, combining academic excellence with cultural preservation. This collaboration underscores the importance of partnerships between cultural organizations and educational institutions in preserving Puerto Rico’s artistic heritage for future generations.
La Batalla de los Clásicos represents more than entertainment; it serves as a bridge connecting contemporary audiences with Puerto Rico’s golden age of classical composition. By dramatizing the artistic rivalries and musical innovations of Gutiérrez y Espinosa, Morel Campos, and Tavárez, the opera illuminates how these three masters shaped Puerto Rican musical identity during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Following this world premiere, OIP plans to expand the opera’s reach through educational tours to schools and cultural centers throughout Puerto Rico, ensuring that this important cultural resource reaches the widest possible audience of students and music enthusiasts.
The November 19th premiere represents a historic moment for Puerto Rican opera and cultural education, establishing La Batalla de los Clásicos as an innovative model for making classical music history accessible, engaging, and relevant for contemporary audiences.