- Festival Artists to Perform in Bogota’s Historic Cristobal Colon Theatre –

Bogota, Colombia – 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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