The public did not want to leave. There were four “encores” of legends from San Juan folklore. Pure fervor and love for San Juan. Tears of emotion in older adults, joy, photos and videos on the cell phones of teenagers and young people, and red hands from the applause of those of middle age. It was without a doubt a “Saturday night fever” where the Cuyo window brought to mind the romantic lyrics and melodies, tunes with powerful expressive force, happy and classic cuecas that invited you to flutter handkerchiefs. For all of this to happen, the stage was filled with a constellation of legendary stars of San Juan folklore, such as Los Inti Huama, Raúl de la Torre and the Dúo Minguez Barboza.
Accustomed to large crowds, the artists were expectant. It was the first experience in bringing these legends together. Approximately an hour before the concert began, the public was already forming a long line to enter the room of the “Juan Victoria” Auditorium, the pride of the people of San Juan, where great artists performed and offered epic concerts.
Moving atmosphere
To a full house, as San Juan artists deserve, Los Inti Huama entered to offer part of their rich and extensive repertoire. Lyrics that moved men and women alike, that offered the artists heartfelt applause as an echo.
For the elders it was a reminder of moments from their youth, outings with friends and family gatherings, where the music and gastronomy of these lands were combined in traditions, joys and engendered that love for this land of San Juan that makes those who come to the province say goodbye with the phrase “I will always return to San Juan.”
Then it was the turn of Raúl de la Torre, who remembered his brother Hugo, to whom the audience gave a warm and exciting applause, recognizing his career and talent provided by that duo known internationally as Los Hermanos de la Torre.
When singing “Saint John in Autumn”, the audience burst into applause. A brief review of great hits excited not only the San Juan residents present, but there were spectators who came from Córdoba, San Luis and Mendoza. An environment where every moment of poetry and lyrics that touched the emotions was enjoyed, remembering times of great San Juan folklorists who left their legacy and their songs are prolonged, expanded and projected into the future. Los Manantiales, Negro Villavicencio, among other greats, were remembered and recognized with excited applause.
Pure cuyanía
The night continued in a climate of pure cunía. It was the Duo Minguez Barboza’s turn to enter the stage, who were crowned with applause, even more so when they started with a cueca that aroused the joy of those present who accompanied the artists singing their songs, among them, the tune like “Allá en el Fifth Barracks” and many others that delighted the public.
The common thread between the presentations of the San Juan folkloric legends awakened emotions, memories, the desire to shout at everyone who wants to listen, the cultural richness of a province whose history has as a common denominator the most deeply rooted traditions that awakened a poetry that identifies to Cuyo and San Juan in particular. The family, the friends, the gauchesque gastronomy and those inherited from the huarpes, the reflected sounds of this geography that make up the mountains and valleys of Tulum, Calingasta, Iglesia and Valle Fértil. All that music from this land that lets itself be loved.
An epic ending
As in any show where great artists come together, the ending was epic. These legends of Cuyo folklore said goodbye with “San Juan por mi sangre.” But the public asked for more and right there, the musicians offered another work. People didn’t want them to leave and immediately gave away another song. In the end “Vallecito” was the golden closing with which the public rewarded with several minutes of applause a farewell that left a lot of fabric to be cut.
The show of the Legends of San Juan folklore was so applauded by the public that it deserves to be repeated, not once, but several times. This was the opinion of all those consulted by DIARIO DE CUYO. Furthermore, if anyone thought that Cuyo music was already over or forgotten, they are very wrong. The public, of all ages, showed that they want to enjoy cuecas, tunes, cats, waltzes and all that cultural baggage of San Juan music.
The young people showed so much enthusiasm for all the artists and their interpretations that they said they knew all of their discography.
A great event where the history and culture of San Juan was revealed. Furthermore, a tacit request for whoever wants to listen, that San Juan residents and visitors want more music from this land, more artists who continue this legacy of creativity, poetry and love for a region rich in human quality and a source of art for communicate.
By Jose Correa
CUYO’S DIARY
