The Paraguayan National Symphony Orchestra (OSN) is performing a special concert this Friday, March 14, for the centenary of maestro Florentín Giménez, founding director of the orchestra, and for the 258 years of his hometown of Ybycuí, Paraguarí department.
The recital will be held at San José Church starting at 8:00 PM with free admission.
Under the direction of teacher María de la Paz Diez Pérez, universal symphonic works and works by Paraguayan composers will be performed; as well as the honoree Florentín Giménez, and Mauricio Cardozo Ocampo, both natives of Ybycuí.
Maestro Florentín Giménez, founding director of the OSN, was a renowned composer, conductor, pianist, teacher, and cultural manager who left a significant legacy in Paraguayan music and culture.
This concert marks the start of the OSN’s 2025 outreach cycle. It thus reaches the interior of the country, sharing pleasant musical moments with the citizens.
Florentín Giménez (1925-2021)
He was born in Ybycui (Paraguay) on March 14, 1925. He took his musical first steps in the Capital Police Band. A prolific composer of popular music, he composed more than 600 songs, some of which were widely performed in Paraguay and the Río de la Plata region. He also composed music for films.
From 1970 onwards, he focused his creative work on symphonic music, composing several works in that genre. He is the author of the first Paraguayan opera, “Juana de Lara,” which premiered in 1987.
He was a member of important orchestras and founded renowned ensembles. He served as assistant conductor and later principal conductor of the Asunción City Symphony Orchestra (OSCA) from 1977 to 1990.
Florentín Giménez was the founding director of important institutions, such as the Conservatory of Music of the Catholic University of Asunción and the National Conservatory of Music. However, for many, one of his most valuable contributions is the creation of the National Symphony Orchestra of Paraguay.
