Spanning Nations
2017 FESTIVAL SOLOISTS
César Torruella, baritone
Puerto RicoThis Young Artist is acclaimed for his “charisma” in Bel Canto roles, Baritone César Torruella is a finalist in the 2014 Montserrat Caballé International Singing Competition in Zaragoza, Spain. Mr. Torruella is praised for his “perfect comedic timing and dramatic chops” in Verdi’s Falstaff performed in New York, Houston and Puerto Rico in roles such as Beaupertuis in Nino Rota’s Il cappello di paglia di Firenze, Leporello in Don Giovanni, Don Alfonso in Così fan Tutte, and the title roles in Don Pasquale and Gianni Schicchi.
Jan Mráček, violin
Czech RepublicThe 25-year-old Czech violinist, Jan Mráček is fast emerging as one of the most talented virtuosos of his generation. He won first prize at the Kreisler International Violin Competition and will soon make his debut with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. This season he solos with the Czech Phil, the Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra of Moscow and London’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. He combines a flourishing solo career with the position of co-concertmaster of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Emilio Colón
San Juan, Puerto RicoBorn and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, founder and artistic director, Emilio Colón has brought together an ensemble of 38 extraordinary, international artists and young professionals to promote peace, unity and education throughout Puerto Rico
We must all work to make the world worthy of its children. ~Pablo Casals