Palm Beach Atlantic University held its fifth Hispanic Heritage Festival on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 28 and 29 at its main campus. Produced and directed by Wellington residents Estibaliz Gastesi and Márcio Bezerra, the festival featured a painting by Megan MacGOVEregor, poetry recitation by El Alma Hispana, and chamber music by piano duo Gastesi-Bezerra and Jureit Musicales.
This year’s festival was dedicated to the memory of Brazilian composer Osvaldo Lacerda. On Saturday, the piano duo performed works by Lacerda, as well as a world premiere of Fantango by Argentinean composer Eduardo Hubert. Sunday’s music was provided by mother Marie Jureit and daughters Ashley Garritson, Laura Parker and Lindsay Garritson of Jureit Musicales, who performed works for flute, violin, cello and piano to a standing ovation.
The Hispanic Heritage Festival was envisioned by Gastesi and Bezerra as a way to promote classical music from Latin America and Spain. Gastesi said the festival would not be possible without the support of Dr. Lloyd Mims, dean of the School of Music and Fine Arts. “He embraced our idea from the beginning and is always an enthusiastic audience member,” she said.
According to Bezerra, preparations are underway for a sixth edition in 2014.
ABOVE: (Left to right) Lindsay Garritson, Ashley Garritson, Estibaliz Gastesi, Maurcio Bezerra, Laura Parker and Marie Jureit.
