The director of that group, Emmanuel Oliveri, informed the press that the concert, which will take place in the Symphony Hall of the Santurce Fine Arts Center, will feature an array of arrangements that will blend the essence of reggae, born in Jamaica and popularized by that singer-songwriter, with the color of orchestral music.
He noted that Colombian musician Wan Luiza, who has participated in other tribute projects to Queen, Metallica and Gustavo Cerati along with the Puerto Rican Orchestra, will appear on the scene as a guest singer.
According to Oliveri, this is the first tribute to Bob Marley ever performed by a symphony orchestra in the world. He said that 40 musicians and singers will participate in translating the songs of the legendary artist.
“We spent months preparing it so that the result would be up to the standard Marley would have claimed. He was a perfectionist in his music.”
The show is expected to last more than two hours and will be accompanied by a visual record of the author of legendary titles such as No Woman, No Cry, Song of Redemption, Don’t Worry, Be Happy, Can You Be Loved, Is That Loved, among others.
The intention is to highlight the current relevance of his musical and social work, whose activism has earned him the United Nations’ Peace Medal.
The man who brought reggae to the ears of the world said, “Live for yourself and you’ll live in vain, live for others and you’ll live again.”
Bob Marley died on May 11, 1981, after eight months of unsuccessfully battling cancer, at the age of 36.
ro / mml