Catalan singer Silvia Pérez Cruz will grace Havana with a complimentary concert this Sunday, amidst Cuba's ongoing energy crisis. She describes the performance as "an act of love" for the island and its inhabitants.
The concert is set to take place in the Renaissance-style San Francisco el Nuevo Church in Old Havana, chosen specifically for its acoustics and independence from the national electrical grid, which this Sunday is affecting up to 70% of the island with outages lasting more than 20 hours.
"I believe this is the most significant concert of the entire tour," the artist shared with EFE in a pre-event interview.
Pérez Cruz will be joined by her regular trio: Bori Alberto on double bass, Marta Roma on cello, and Carlos Monfort on violin. The program will feature tracks from her latest album, Oral_Abisal, along with iconic pieces from her discography and a few surprises.
A Special Tour Moment in Havana
The Havana performance is part of a Latin American tour that kicked off in Mexico City and will continue through the Dominican Republic, Chile, Argentina, and Brazil. However, the artist places this stop in a category of its own: "When you're on an island at a time like this, having people come from abroad, it's an act of love, like a hug."
Just two days ago, Pérez Cruz performed for 17,000 people in Los Angeles, marking Gustavo Dudamel's farewell as music and artistic director of the city's Philharmonic.
A Personal Connection to Cuba
Pérez Cruz's bond with Cuba is more than coincidental. Her father, Cástor Pérez, was a researcher, composer of habaneras, and an expert in Cuban music. He taught her "La tarde" by traditional trova composer Sindo Garay when she was just four years old. In 2010, she recorded this song as a tribute to her father, who passed away that same year, after they had traveled the island together and performed in a theater.
"I have a deep connection with this island; I want to care for it in the way I know, which is through singing," expressed the artist, who won the National Award for Current Music in 2022 and has twice received the Goya for Best Original Song.
She announced the concert in July on social media with the message "Beloved Cuba," accompanied by a video of her performing Garay's song.
Adapting to Cuba's Electrical Challenges
The selection of a church as a venue directly responds to Cuba's current electrical crisis, with only 1,032 MW of generation available compared to a much higher demand this Sunday. The country has experienced seven total collapses of the National Electrical System this year alone, two of which occurred in early August.
"I understand why my father fell in love with this land, and I have my own stories and emotions. Cuba is inexplicable, really; you always leave feeling changed. The more I visit, the less I understand, and I think that's the point," Pérez Cruz concluded.
Understanding Silvia Pérez Cruz's Connection to Cuba
Why is Silvia Pérez Cruz performing in Havana during an energy crisis?
Silvia Pérez Cruz is performing in Havana as an "act of love" towards the island and its people, despite the ongoing energy crisis.
What is the significance of the venue for her concert?
The concert will take place in a church chosen for its acoustics and independence from the national electrical grid, accommodating the current power shortages in Cuba.
How does Silvia Pérez Cruz's family history connect her to Cuba?
Her father, Cástor Pérez, was a composer of habaneras and an expert in Cuban music. He shared his love for Cuba with Silvia, creating a personal connection to the island.