The Municipal Chamber Orchestra of Asunción (OCMA) will present the new seasonal concert “Famous Opera Arias” on Wednesday 10 June, 2026. The performance is scheduled at 20:00 at the prestigious Ignacio A. Pane Municipal Theatre of Asunción, with entry being free of charge for all attendees. This special concert will be conducted by the guest maestro, José Miguel Echeverría.
The carefully curated programme promises to take the audience on a journey through the world of opera. It achieves this by blending a central operatic work with three distinct intermezzos from different periods of the classical repertoire, offering a rich and varied musical experience.
A programme dedicated to opera
The evening’s proposal centres on the opera Rita by the renowned composer Gaetano Donizetti. This work is a celebrated example of the bel canto style, which emphasises beautiful and agile singing. Consequently, the opera will be presented in a concert format, focusing purely on the music without theatrical staging. The performance will feature solo arias, duets, and a concluding tercet, showcasing the vocal talents of the guest singers.
This concert format allows the audience to fully immerse themselves in the musical intricacy and emotional depth of Donizetti’s composition. The focus remains squarely on the virtuosic vocal performances and the orchestra’s interpretation. By presenting the work in this manner, the OCMA aims to make the operatic form more accessible while highlighting its powerful musical core.
Celebrated intermezzos to complete the evening
In addition to the central piece, the programme will be enhanced by three famous intermezzos. These instrumental pieces, typically performed between the acts of an opera, are celebrated works in their own right. The selection includes the “Dance of the Blessed Spirits” from Christoph Willibald Gluck’s opera Orfeo ed Euridice. Following this, the orchestra will perform the passionate “Intermezzo” from Pietro Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana.
The evening’s selection of instrumental pieces will conclude with the equally famous “Intermezzo” from Georges Bizet’s timeless opera, Carmen. These three pieces have been chosen to complement the main performance and provide the audience with a broader appreciation of operatic music. Each intermezzo offers a unique emotional landscape, creating a complete and satisfying concert experience for both seasoned opera lovers and newcomers.
Famous Opera Arias: Esteemed soloists to perform
The concert will feature three distinguished soloists who will bring the vocal pieces to life. Soprano Alejandra Meza will lend her voice to the performance, joined by tenor Mustafa Dujak. Completing the trio of vocalists will be the baritone Agustín Uriel Barboza. Together, their combined talents will be essential in interpreting the demanding solo and ensemble pieces from Donizetti’s opera.
The participation of Meza, Dujak, and Barboza ensures a high-calibre performance that respects the nuances of the bel canto style. Their collaboration in the duets and the final tercet is anticipated to be a highlight of the evening, offering a dynamic display of vocal harmony and dramatic expression.
Organisation and institutional support
This Famous Opera Arias event is organised through a collaboration between the General Directorate of Culture and Tourism of the Municipality of Asunción and the Philharmonic Society of Asunción. Additionally, the concert has received support from the Itaú Foundation and Petrobras, whose contributions are crucial for making such events accessible to the public.
With this concert, the Municipal Chamber Orchestra of Asunción continues its successful season. The organisation remains dedicated to presenting a repertoire that is both high-quality and accessible to a wide audience.
Also read: Guitarist Berta Rojas Brings “The Journey Of Strings” Home In Emotional Concert.
