The Consulate of Mexico in Tucson has tapped the Tucson Symphony Orchestra to help it celebrate the bicentennial of the end of the Mexican War of Independence.
The orchestra, under the baton of Music Director José Luis Gomez, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 15, at Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress St. Tickets are free through the consulate by either visiting its offices at 3915 E. Broadway or calling 882-5595.
This is the seventh annual Mexican Independence Day concert and the first one with the TSO. In years past, the volunteer Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra, under Conductor Linus Lerner, has performed the concert, which celebrates Tucson and Mexico’s shared heritage and cultural diversity.
The concert also commemorates the end of Mexico’s War of Independence from Spain. The 10-year war started on Sept. 16, 1810, and ended on Sept. 27, 1821. But Mexicans in Mexico and abroad historically celebrate on the night of Sept. 15 with Mexico’s National Festivity, according to the consulate.
Part of the celebration includes a civic ceremony called “El Grito” (The Outcry), which commemorates the call to arms against Spain in 1810 that led to the birth of Mexico with the country’s victory a decade later.
The Consul of Mexico Rafael Barceló will perform “El Grito” immediately after the concert.
The concert, which also celebrates the start of National Hispanic Heritage Month, will include traditional and classical works composed by Mexican and Latin American composers.
In addition the Consulate of Mexico in Tucson, the concert is presented by the Instituto Cultural Mexicano.
