photo: Brooke Lavalley
This month, the sounds and rhythms of Cuba have spread across the campus of Otterbein University in Westerville.
Cuban composer and pianist Jose Maria Vitier — accompanied by his wife, Silvia Rodriguez Rivero — has taken part in a residency there since April 1. While in central Ohio, the Havana native has given master classes and heard his work featured in concerts.
This weekend, as he nears the conclusion of his visit, the Westerville Symphony will perform one of his most popular works, a Roman Catholic Mass titled “Misa Cubana.”
For the Sunday concert, the orchestra will join Capriccio Columbus and three university ensembles: the Men’s Chorus, Women’s Chorale and Concert Choir. Vitier and Dean Marcellana will play the piano parts.