Dallas Peruvian consulate opening coincides with Peruvian music showcase

by Marisa Treviño of Latina Lista

Texas’ second Peruvian consulate opened their doors on Monday to service the estimated 10,000 Peruvians who have made North Texas home.

According to the Peruvian news organization, Diario El Comercio, 1,200 Peruvians set out each day to live outside the country. Peru’s National Institute of Statistics and Information report that between January and September 2007, over 290,000 Peruvians opted to live in other countries — this includes legal immigrants and students.

This exodus is an increase of 7.5% over last year. All in all, an estimated 1.2 million Peruvians now live in the United States.

One of those who have traveled so far from his homeland to share his talents with us in North Texas is Miguel Harth-Bedoya, the director of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra.

In an effort to bring a little of South America’s rich history to his new home, Harth-Bedoya launches a three-part musical project this weekend by highlighting his home country. He calls it Caminos del Inka.

It is a multimedia concert that attempts to transport attendees to the famous Inca trail. While showcasing images of what is found along the trail onto a big screen, Harth-Bedoya oversees a musical repetoire that accompanies the images with traditional Peruvian music such as El cóndor pasa, along with, newer pieces like Leyendas: An Andean Walkabout.

In an effort to introduce North Texans to a part of the world that still remains unknown and unfamiliar to them, the weekend concert series kicks off with a “Casual Chic Friday Concert.”

While sipping on $5 “Casual Chic” martinis, attendees will be entertained with some pre-concert entertainment by the Peruvian ensemble Egusquiza. There is also a pre-concert lecture series explaining more fully the significance of the music and the images that are a part of this unique concert.

Los Caminos del Inka will have three presentations this weekend at Bass Performance Hall: Friday, November 16, at 7:30 p.m. with pre-concert activities beginning at 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, November 17, at 8 p.m. and a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m.

Ticket information is available by calling 817.665.6000 or visiting the Fort Worth Symphony website.