Minnesota Orchestra packs house in Havana (Photos)

By Rachel Chazin Last updated May 17, 2015

The Minnesota Orchestra played a groundbreaking sold-out show in Havana, Cuba on Friday night, and will be performing again tonight (Saturday May 16). The group is receiving national attention for being the first U.S. ensemble of its kind to play in Cuba since 1999 and since the warming of U.S. and Cuban relations in December.

Orchestra members said they were humbled to be a part of the process of reestablishing America’s cultural ties with Cuba.

“When we finished, the room erupted in applause from musicians and observers alike,” violist Sam Bergman said on their blog.

The New York Times wrote that the orchestra was received several standing ovations and huge cheers when the Minnesotans teamed up with the Cuban pianist and two Cuban choirs to perform Beethoven’s “Choral Fantasy.”

“The Minnesota Orchestra’s concert here Friday night was greeted not only as a rare chance to hear an orchestra from overseas, but as a symbol of the rapprochement between the United States and Cuba,” the New York Times said.

After watching a legendary Cuban band perform at their hotel on Thursday, members of the orchestra hung out with hundreds of Cuban natives until morning – “let’s just say there were some bleary eyes at breakfast today,” Bergman wrote.

Saturday night’s (May 16) concert will also be taking place at Teatro Nacional in Havana. The program will include symphonic dances from “West Side Story” and Prokofiev’s “Romeo and Juliet.”

(Preceding article from Fox9.com Minneapolis-St. Paul)

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Looking out from the lobby of Teatro Nacional de Cuba.

Violist Gareth Zehngut surveys the crowd.

Cuban-born pianist Frank Fernández performs Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy.

Cellist Arek Tesarczyk warms up backstage.

Cuban trumpet players from the Amadeo Roldán Conservatory sitting alongside Minnesota musicians during a rehearsal.

Bassoonist Chris Marshall listens to questions from a student. (Photo by Travis Anderson)

A young cellist works with principal cellist Anthony Ross. (Photo by Travis Anderson)

Violinist Jonathan Magnese sits next to a young Cuban player. (Photo by Travis Anderson)

Kathy Kienzle, harpist, looks at a score with a student. (Photo by Travis Anderson)

A young Cuban trombonist sits in the Minnesota brass section. (Photo by Travis Anderson)

Trumpeter Charles Lazarus smiles at a student. (Photo by Travis Anderson)

Percussionist Fernando Meza exchanges ideas with young Cubans. (Photo by Travis Anderson)

[All photos by Minneapolis Orchestra photographer Travis Anderson.]