Pablo Milanés in Peru: the occasions on which the Cuban singer-songwriter performed in Lima | VIDEOS

The voice of the founder sound of Nueva Trova went out. Pablo Milanes He passed away this Monday, November 21, at the age of 79, after being hospitalized for several days due to the oncohematological disease he suffered from.

The interpreter of hits such as “Yolanda” and “El breve espacio en que no estás” is fondly remembered by Peruvians, because he performed repeatedly in Lima: from the Grand National Theater to the Government Palace.

Faced with his outstanding artistic career and his close relationship with Peru, here we leave you a review of all the occasions when Pablo Milanés visited our country and met his national followers.

First visit in 1986

The first arrival of Pablo Milanés in Peru took place in April 1986 during the Latin American Cultural Integration Week, or better known by its acronym SICLA, an event that brought together the best exponents of music, cinema, literature, painting and other arts.

The inauguration took place in the courtyard of the Government Palace, located in downtown Lima, and was attended by then President Alan García. Milanés dazzled the attendees by interpreting his songs “I will step on the streets again” and “Años”. The party was joined by his compatriot Silvio Rodríguez with “Canción del elegido”, as well as Luis Abanto Morales, Alberto Cortez, Mercedes Sosa and Leon Gieco, among others. Click here to see.

Return after two decades

More than twenty years had to pass to have the Cuban composer back on Peruvian soil. Pablo Milanés returned to Lima to offer a great concert on June 6, 2009. The artist dazzled the audience with his presentation of “Vengo naciendo”.

His arrival in our country took place within the framework of the II Claro Festival. “Años”, “Mírame bien”, “Marginal”, “Si ella me missing sometime”, “Matinal”, “Para vivir” and “Días de gloria” were some of the songs included in the repertoire of that show.

Concert at the PUCP

The Sports Center of the Catholic University of Peru was the venue chosen for the intimate presentation that Pablo Milanés had with his fans. On December 1, 2012, this evening was held that brought together around a thousand people to listen to the Cuban live.

“Thank you very much. Goodnight. I’m delighted to be back.” Milanés commented on that occasion. His singles “In peace”, “Plegaria”, “I will step on the streets again”, “The broken bag”, “Glory days”, “Nostalgia”, “If she ever missed me”, “In what a quiet way” , “As if I were to die this morning” and “Matinal” were part of the repertoire.

After about an hour and a half of concert, the singer-songwriter along with his band said goodbye to the enthusiastic audience that was asking for one last song. “Thank you very much, on behalf of my colleagues. Thank you very much”, Paul finished on that occasion.

What very few people know is that, one day before his presentation, Milanés had a meeting with the School of Performing Arts of the PUPC and gave an exclusive -and free- master class to the students.

a bigger stage

Pablo Milanés returned to Lima three years later to perform at the Gran Teatro Nacional (GTN) on March 21, 2015. This show was part of the promotional tour for the release of his record material “Renacimiento”.

“Hello friends. I am delighted to return to Lima, on March 21, at the Gran Teatro Nacional, where I am going to offer a concert and where I am going to premiere my album ‘Renacimiento’ and those songs that the public has always expected; and that I want you to sing with me that night”said Pablo Milanés in a video prior to the concert.

On the day of the recital, the Cuban composer took the GTN stage accompanied by six musicians. The first song to play was “Nostalgias”, from the album “Días de Gloria”. The show enchanted the public and even surprised with the adaptation to guagancó –a popular Cuban genre– of his song “El tiempo, el relentless, el que pasó.”

repeat the clap

Once again, the Gran Teatro Nacional -located in the San Borja district- would be the stage of the Cuban singer-songwriter for his presentation on February 4, 2017 as part of the “Canciones Para Siempre” tour.

Days before his show, Pablo Milanés spoke with this newspaper and assured that the most important thing is the love of the public and “the magic that occurs between him and me when I sing”. “And what I am going to lose (as an artist) is the presence of that when I leave, even if I sing until my last day “, he pointed out. With a full capacity, the Cuban delighted all attendees with his classical repertoire.

The farewell

The last opportunity that the Peruvian public had to see Pablo Milanés live was on April 9, 2019, during his concert at the Sports Center of the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru. This within the framework of his tour “Tour Esencia 2019 ″, with which he toured different cities around the world.

On this occasion, “El Tiempo Pasa”, “Amor”, “Flores del Futuro”, “El Breve Espacio”, “Amo esta Isla”, “Vestido de Mar” and “Yolanda” would be part of the show. After fulfilling the concert, Pablo Milanés would say goodbye to Peru for the last time.