Paraguay’s National Orchestra of Popular Music (ONAMP) has announced its final performance of the year, a special concert titled “Armonías de Fin de Año” (New Year’s Harmonies). This cultural event will take place on the evening of Monday, 29 December 2025, at the Paseo de la Guarania on the Asunción waterfront. The performance starts at 20:00, and entry is free of charge for all members of the public, offering an accessible celebration of national music, and honour Guarania heritage.
The concert serves as a grand finale to the orchestra’s annual calendar. Moreover, it holds dual importance as a tribute to a major milestone in Paraguayan culture. The evening is dedicated to celebrating the centenary of the creation of the guarania, a distinct and evocative Paraguayan musical genre.
The event will also mark one year since this beloved musical style was officially recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, a prestigious designation that underscores its global cultural significance.
A programme dedicated to honour Guarania heritage
The entire repertoire for the evening has been meticulously selected to showcase the richness and diversity of Paraguayan music. The programme is a testament to the nation’s artistic heritage, providing the audience with a journey through iconic compositions. Consequently, the performance aims to connect listeners with the very soul of the country’s musical traditions, reinforcing a sense of national pride and cultural identity through the powerful medium of orchestral music.
Attendees can expect to hear a range of cherished pieces that have become synonymous with Paraguayan culture. The setlist includes classics such as “Mis noches sin ti” and “Recuerdos de Ypacarai”, songs that resonate deeply within Paraguay’s collective memory.
In addition, the orchestra will perform “Canción del arpa dormida”, “Musiqueada che amape”, “Malvita”, and “Valle’i”, each piece contributing to a comprehensive and moving musical experience. The concert will also feature a selection of traditional polkas.
A tribute to a renowned composer
A speical of the concert will be a posthumous tribute to the esteemed composer Rigoberto Arévalo. The orchestra will honour his significant contribution to Paraguayan music with a special performance of his celebrated work, “ESTANCIA MAINUMBY”. This inclusion in the programme serves as a mark of respect for Arévalo’s enduring legacy and his influence on the nation’s musical landscape. The performance is therefore intended to be a moving homage to his life and creative genius.
This tribute reflects the orchestra’s commitment to preserving and celebrating the work of Paraguay’s most important musical figures. By featuring “ESTANCIA MAINUMBY”, the ONAMP ensures that the contributions of past masters continue to be appreciated by caudiences. This gesture highlights the historical continuity of the nation’s musical tradition and its ongoing evolution, connecting the past with the present in a powerful display of artistic reverence.
Esteemed artists to take the stage
Leading the National Orchestra of Popular Music through this memorable evening will be the distinguished conductor, Maestro Luis Alvarez. Under his guidance, the orchestra will articulate the unique nuances and emotional depth inherent in the guarania, and other traditional forms.
Furthermore, the concert will be enriched by the participation of several acclaimed vocalists. The orchestra will be joined on stage by the talented singers Vicky Díaz, Melissa Hicks, and Salvador García. Their vocal interpretations will add another layer of artistry to the musical arrangements, bringing the lyrical stories within the songs to life.
Read also: Guarania Centennial 2025 Ends: Meet Creator José Asunción Flores, The Man Who Gave Paraguay A Voice.
