Thirteen years after his last performance in Uruguay, Cuban singer-songwriter Silvio Rodríguez returned to Uruguayan soil as part of his Latin American tour “Quería saber,” which began in Havana, Cuba.
The reunion with the public took place in two consecutive performances, held on Friday and Saturday at the Antel Arena, where the artist paid tribute to José “Pepe” Mujica and Lucía Topolansky, to whom he dedicated the song “Más porvenir” (More Future).
During the concerts, Rodríguez performed classics from his repertoire such as “Ala de colibrí” (Hummingbird Wing), “Sueño con serpientes” (Dream of Snakes), “La buena y su reverso” (Goodness and Its Reverse), “Quién Fuera” (Who Were), “Ángel para un final” (Angel for an End), “Ojalá” (Hopefully), and “El necio” (The Fool).
He also included tributes to his colleagues in the Cuban Nueva Trova, with iconic songs such as “Créeme” (Believe Me) by Vicente Feliú, “Te perdono” (You Forgive Me) by Noel Nicola, and “Yolanda” by Pablo Milanés, in a musical journey that spanned more than two decades of musical history.
The atmosphere was one of deep emotional connection. Mass choirs, flashing cell phone lights, and shouts of joy accompanied each performance. In response, Silvio repeatedly shouted the signature “Vamos andar”, a typical phrase from the country that became a collective embrace between artist and audience.
The tour, which includes performances in Chile, Argentina, Peru, and Colombia, found another, more relevant moment in Montevideo through the shared memory of those who lived through similar historical moments and a culture that redefined their own lives.
Silvio Rodríguez first arrived in Uruguay, although not primarily, in 1967, when the founders of the Nueva Trova Cubana met in Havana with Zitarrosa, Viglietti, and Los Olimareños during the First Meeting of Protest Songs, organized by Casa de las Américas. Years later, in 1985, some of them reunited in Montevideo, in a historic and moving moment, when Silvio Rodríguez and Pablo Milanés participated in the celebrations for the return of democracy, accompanying the dreams and struggles of the Uruguayan people with their music.
IMAGE CREDIT: The performance also included tributes to his fellow Cuban New Trova artists, with iconic songs such as “Créeme” by Vicente Feliú, “Te perdono” by Noel Nicola, and “Yolanda” by Pablo Milanés. Photo: September 5
[ SOURCE: PRENSA LATINA ]
