Long interested in seeking a unique venue for an international music festival, Victor Salvi and his wife, Julia, selected Cartagena for its picturesque charm, excellent concert facilities, ideal climate and rich cultural traditions. These qualities make it an ideal choice. Under the artistic direction of Charles Wadsworth, the first Cartagena International Music Festival ran between January 6th to 13th, 2007 in some of Cartagena’s
most historic venues. Distinguished virtuoso musicians from nine different countries performed masterworks of the
chamber and solo repertoire. They also appeared as soloists in concerts with the festival chamber orchestra.
More than 20,000 from throughout Columbia and as far as the US and Europe attended the weeklong event, the first of its kind in Latin America.
Throughout the festival, guest artists taught masterclasses to gifted young musicians and their teachers under the auspices of Formando Musicá, a social program of Fundación Salvi Colombia with the assistance of Colombian corporations. More than 200 students from all over the country participated in various festival programs. Lectures by recognized authorities on music were well attended by festival visitors.
As a result of the first festival a wonderful relationship was established between I Musici Orchestra from Montreal, one of the participating musical groups and the Jesus Maestro School located in the Nelson Mandela neighborhood, one of the most disadvantaged school's within the City of Cartagena. Impressed with the student’s commitment, orchestra members gathered together after the festival to find ways to assist the school. They bought strings and metronomes for the school's orchestra and sent two clarinets, a trumpet, sets of reeds, strings and printed materials on study methods. Two orchestra members have offered to return to Cartagena to spend time working with these children on the clarinet and stringed instruments. I Musici is planning a concert in Montreal to raise funds for the Nelson Mandela Neighborhood in Cartagena.
“More than an event for beginners, the Cartagena International Music Festival is taking shape as a cultural and educational project of a deep social importance,” says Eduardo Arias, “Puente entre dos mundos,” Bridge Between Two Worlds,” SEMANA magazine.
An important part of the mission of Fundación Salvi Colombia is to provide educational music opportunities to gifted and talented young musicians, the majority afflicted by war or poverty. The foundation's goal is to reach more than 150,000 children through its programs designed to improve music education, improve teacher training, expand access to musical instruments, provide instrument maintenance and repair and support the National System of Colombia's Symphony and Batuta, the children’s orchestra. In the future, Fundación Salvi Colombia plans to expand its programming to include a Suzuki harp program for children.
It is the hope of foundation directors that in the years to come, this fesival will become an important part of the cultural life of the country and will be carried on by the people of Colombia for future generations to enjoy.
Described in The New York Times as one of the "Places to Go in 2008," the Cartagena International Festival of Music took place January 5 to 12, 2008 in the historic city of Cartagena. Under the artistic direction of Charles Wadsworth, renowned pianist and creator of chamber music events worldwide and associate director, Stephen Prutsman, acclaimed pianist and composer, the festival set new attendance records this year and expanded the range of educational programs and activities it offered gifted and talented young musicians from throughout the country.
"Palenkumbé: Overture for Cartagena," an original work by Venezuelan composer Paul Desenne opened the week-long festival. It was commissioned by the Salvi Foundation – Colombia. The free public concerts held at night in the Plaza San Pedro once again drew standing room only audiences. The attractive 2008 festival poster was designed by noted Colombian artist Santiago Cardenas, whose work was displayed at the Museum of Modern Art in Cartagena from January 2 to February 2, 2008.
Click here for highlights of the 2008 Festival. Visit the photo gallery.
Preview Concert and Gala Benefit Dinner to Support Cartagena II International Festival of Music
A gala benefit and concert to support the up-coming Cartagena II International Festival of Music, January 5-12, 2008 took place on Friday evening, September 14th at 8:00 P.M.at Bogota’s historic Cristobal Colon Theatre. The program featured music by Igor Stravisky, Astor Piazzolla, Anton Dvorak, Johannes Brahms and Felix Mendelssohn performed by the festival’s Founding Artist Director and pianist, Charles Wadsworth; Stephen Prutsman, associate artistic director and pianist, and popular festival artists Anne Akiko Meyers, violinist and Andres Dias, cellist. All ticket holders were invited to attend a special cocktail hour prior to the concert during which the 2008 Cartagena International Festival of Music poster designed by noted Colombian artist, Santiago Cardenas was unveiled for the first time. A private black tie benefit dinner was held in the Salon Bolivar of the Palace of San Carlos following the concert.
"The gala benefit evening, the first of its kind to take place in Colombia, celebrated the importance of culture in the country and the need to support social programs here through the arts," says Salvi Foundation President, Julia Salvi. "The substantial outpouring of support for this event from both public and private entities has been very gratifying, it has helped us move closer to achieving our important goals as the festival nears. We are particularly grateful to Dr. Carlos Lleras de la Fuente for his invaluable role in the success of this evening and to Fernando Araujo Perdomo, the Minister of Foreign Relations, for his efforts on behalf of the festival. In addition, we are honored that noted Colombian artist Santiago Cardenas, has designed this year’s attractive festival poster; I am confident it will soon become a treasured collectible."
Other sponsors include Avianca, Casa Ibanez, Cato’s Wine Cellar, Emcocables, Fernando Espana, Flores Don Eloy, Harry Sasson, Hotel Sofitel Victoria Regia, and Villegas Editores.
Click here to download a copy of the original press release in PDF format.
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Award-winning Harpists Sivan Magen and Emmanuel Ceysson Perform in Bogota (2007-2008)
Fundación Salvi Colombia and Compensar co-sponsored two concerts in Bogota, Colombia featuring Israeli harpist, Sivan Magen, 2006 winner of the Israel Harp Contest and French harpist, Emmanuel Ceysson, winner of the (2004) USA International Harp Competition. Both Sivan and Emmanuel taught several masterclasses to conservatory harp students from Bogota and Villavicencio during their visits to Bogota. Emmanuel's concert was also co-sponsored by the Universidad Nacional de Colombia; arrangements were made by the foundation and the French Embassy.
Emmanuel also taught masterclasses to harp students at the Universidad de Caldas, University Juan N. Corpas and Foundacion Batuta, with instruction from their respective music departments. Classes were held at Compensar’s headquarters in the convention center. This series of masterclasses was the first offered through the Salvi Program in Harp at the Universidad Nacional with Salvi Foundation Colombia. Emmanuel returned to Bogota in the fall of 2007 to teach additional masterclasses and to perform in concert.
Luthiers From Throughout Columbia Complete Workshop On The Repair And Maintenance Of Stringed Instruments
Bogotá, Colombia – The second Workshop on the Repair and Maintenance of Stringed Instruments, sponsored by the Salvi Foundation Colombia brought together 18 participants from Leticia, Buenaventura, Pereira, Manizales, Villavicencio, Cali, Medellín and Bogotá to study with master luthier, Carlos Arcieri of New York City. Co-hosts of the workshop, which took place from June 2-7, were the Ministry of Culture, the SENA, Salvi Foundation Colombia, Batuta Foundation and the School of Arts and Crafts Santo Domingo. The purpose of the five-day event was to train artisans to make and restore musical instruments.
Colombian born, Carlos Arcieri, began his career as a luthier while a student of Italian Master Simone Fernando Sacconi at the Rembert Wurlitzer house, a construction and restoration workshop for stringed instruments. Upon the death of his teacher and subsequent closing of the workshop, Mr. Arcieri continued to fulfill the orders of his teacher and mentor. Eventually he opened his own studio in New York City: Arcieri Violin Maker & Restorer. His clients include such well-known artists as cellist Yo-Yo Ma and violinist and violist Pinchas Zuckerman, among others.
Mr. Arcieri is widely recognized as an expert at restoring ancient violins, including famous Stradivarius instruments – the finest and most sought after in the world. Currently, Mr. Arcieri is the only Colombian member of the L’Entente Internationale des Maitres Luthiers Archetiers et d’Art, a worldwide organization of experts in violin restoration. He is also the youngest founding member of the American Federation of Violin and Bow Makers established in 1980.
"We were very fortunate that Maestro Arcieri was able to come to Bogotá and share his expertise in restoring stringed instruments with his colleagues in Colombia" said Sandra Meluk, director of the Salvi Foundation Colombia. "His professionalism and skill as a luthier have earned him world-wide praise, the knowledge he shared during the workshop provided a unique hands-on learning experience for the participants." Eighteen violins from the Batuta Foundation were repaired during the recent workshop.
"It is very gratifying to see the interest and enthusiasm of our instrument makers as they participate in professional development opportunities such as Maestro Arcieri’s workshop," says María Isabel Restrepo, director of the School of Arts and Crafts Santo Domingo. "Such experiences not only enhance their technical abilities, the knowledge they acquire enhances the performances of the musicians who depend on their expertise."
The Salvi Foundation Colombia is dedicated to bringing outstanding specialists to the country to build and strengthen the growing network of cultural partnerships, to create new apprenticeship opportunities, and to enhance the skills of current instrument makers in the country. The next workshop is scheduled for October, 2008.
