2 October 2018

The sweet sounds of Argentina will float through Pātaka Gallery + Museum this week when a renowned musician looks to build closer ties with New Zealand through music.

Internationally celebrated pianist Marcella Fiorillo will be giving a musical lecture at the piano, to introduce New Zealanders to Argentina through one of its most powerful cultural symbols, its music.

The event, Clasicos Argentinos, is being held at Pātaka on Thursday 4 October and has been organised by the Embassy of Argentina and the Latin America Centre for Asia-Pacific Excellence.

The event will also have a strong local flavour as 40 members of the Virtuoso Strings Orchestra, from Canons Creek in Porirua, will perform a piece to welcome Ms Fiorillo to Pātaka.

Embassy Secretary Javier Alfredo De Cicco said Porirua’s strong connection to music was behind it being specially chosen as the venue for the masterclass.

“We share the vision of cultural integration through music with the Virtuoso Strings Orchestra, who will help to provide New Zealanders with a musical insight into Argentina’s culture.

“By listening to our music and learning how it has evolved down through the years Kiwis will see what a powerful factor music is in binding cultures.

“We also hope the event will bring our two communities closer together.”

Ms Fiorillo is a graduate of the Argentine National Conservatory of Music in Buenos Aires and an expert in the country’s cultural history, having travelled the world performing the music of famous Tango composer Astor Piazzolla and classical composer Alberto Ginastera.

Latin America Centre of Asia-Pacific Excellence Director, Dr Matthew O’Meagher, said the organisation worked to build relationships between Argentina and New Zealand through the medium of culture.

He said the musical event would help the Centre’s goal of introducing New Zealanders to a country they may not have previously been exposed to.

“We’re keen to show the vibrancy of Latin American cultures to a wide range of our people and to build ties that cross the Pacific Ocean.”

ENDS

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