Amidst Cuba's ongoing severe crisis, Spanish singer, songwriter, and actress Silvia Pérez Cruz delivered a captivating performance this past Sunday at the San Francisco el Nuevo Church, situated at the intersection of Cuba and Amargura streets in Old Havana.
The concert, which began at six in the evening, was described as "an act of faith" by Cuban professor Julio César González Pagés in a Facebook post. "I was invited today to an act of faith at the corner of Cuba and Amargura, a striking coincidence, in Old Havana. An angel flew in from Barcelona to share her voice, music, and love," Pagés noted, attending the event himself.
The choice of the church was intentional due to its exceptional acoustics, and crucially, it did not rely on the national power grid. This proved symbolic, as widespread power outages were plaguing Cuba that same day, with blackouts that could stretch over 20 hours, while the island's electricity generation barely reached 1,032 MW against much higher demand.
Bathed in candlelight and performed almost entirely without electric amplification, the concert was a unique experience. Professor Pagés, a prominent historian and writer, shared his thoughts on social media, emphasizing that the simplicity of the event "needed nothing more to make us soar and escape the deadly routine." He highlighted that Silvia "showed us that when you love a people, you find a way to be with them in their darkest times without any manipulative speeches."
Three musicians joined Pérez Cruz on stage: Bori Alberto on double bass, Marta Roma on cello, and Carlos Monfort on violin. The Cuban academic described them vividly: "The three musicians accompanying her were drenched in sweat and sounded divine." The setlist featured songs from her latest album, Oral_Abisal, along with iconic tracks from her discography and other selections.
The audience, who had waited for hours outside the church before the event started, applauded and cheered continuously, according to Pagés' account. The free concert was supported by the Fundación SGAE, the Spanish Embassy in Cuba, the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), and the Cuban Institute of Music.
Silvia Pérez Cruz had previously expressed the emotional significance of the occasion. In an interview with EFE, she remarked, "I believe this is the most important concert of the entire tour." She added, "I have a deep connection with this island, and I want to care for it in the only way I know, by singing."
This connection to Cuba is rooted in family history. Her father, Càstor Pérez, was a researcher and composer of habaneras and a Cuban music expert. He taught her "La tarde" by traditional Cuban composer Sindo Garay when she was just four years old. Silvia recorded the piece in 2010 as a tribute to her father, who passed away that same year, after they had traveled the island together. In July 2026, she announced the Havana concert on social media with the message "Dear Cuba, beloved Cuba," accompanied by a video of her performing the song.
The Havana stop is part of a broader Latin American tour that kicked off in Mexico City and will continue through the Dominican Republic, Chile, Argentina, and Brazil. Just two days before the Havana recital, she performed for 17,000 attendees at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, marking Gustavo Dudamel's farewell as the musical and artistic director of the city's Philharmonic.
The energy crisis surrounding the concert was no mere backdrop; Cuba has experienced seven total collapses of its National Electric System so far in 2026, with two occurring at the start of August. On the 4th of that month, a record impact of 2,411 MW was documented. In response to this dire situation, Professor González Pagés, an active commentator on Cuban affairs via social media, concluded his account with a sentiment shared by many: "Thank you, Silvia, I will never forget your gesture towards my community; love is repaid with love."
Exploring the Impact of Silvia Pérez Cruz's Havana Concert
What was the significance of Silvia Pérez Cruz's concert in Havana?
The concert was significant due to its timing amidst Cuba's severe crisis and the emotional connection Silvia Pérez Cruz has with the island. It provided a moment of relief and solidarity for the Cuban people during challenging times.
How did the concert navigate the power outages in Cuba?
The concert was held in a church chosen for its excellent acoustics and independence from the national power grid, allowing it to proceed despite widespread blackouts. It was illuminated by candlelight and used minimal amplification.
Who supported Silvia Pérez Cruz's concert in Havana?
The event was supported by the Fundación SGAE, the Spanish Embassy in Cuba, the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), and the Cuban Institute of Music, making it accessible to the public at no cost.