ArtesMiami was a major sponsor of the 2025 Marti Productions presentation of the legendary Cuban zarzuela “Cecilia Valdés,” composed by Gonzalo Roig and based on the novel by Cirilo Villaverde. Presented on October 11th, 2025 and Sunday, October 12th, 2025 at the Dennis C. Moss Cultural Arts Center, this masterpiece of Cuban culture and music is an important work for its quality and its revelation of the interaction of classes and races in Havana, Cuba. These presentations revived the musical pieces from the original, which premiered in 1932 in Cuba.
The shows, part of Miami Dade County Auditorium Away from Home Series, included the excellent participation of the IFÉ-ILÉ Afro Cuban Ballet Company, directed by Neri Torres, while the choral sections were performed by Voices of Miami, conducted by Greisel Domínguez. The great Cuban-American soprano Église Gutiérrez sang as Cecilia Valdés on Saturday night, October 11 and the admired Puerto Rican soprano Marinel Cruz played the role on Sunday, October 12. The role of Leonardo de Gamboa was played by the excellent Uruguayan tenor Martin Nusspaumer. Producer Tania Martí played the popular role Dolores Santa Cruz. Manny Albelo was the artistic director and Marlene Urbay, leading the Florida Chamber Orchestra, was the musical director.
