Giovanni Duarte and an orchestra capable of everything

To be part of the Symphony Orchestra of the Gran Teatro de La Habana (GTH) is a huge responsibility. To provide the oldest active theatrical institution in Latin America with an annual program of ballets, operas, zarzuelas and national and international guests is a path full of challenges.

The history of the orchestra is inextricably linked to the founding of the building in 1938. At that time, it accompanied the opera seasons, the dances of the period, the society balls, the carnivals and all kinds of shows presented in the theater. It was not until 1962 when it was officially established as the Symphony Orchestra of the Gran Teatro de La Habana, directed by its founder, maestro Félix Guerrero, premiering along with the Teatro Lírico the zarzuela Luisa Fernanda and the operetta La Princesa de las Czardas.

Since 2015, and thanks to the direction of Maestro Giovanni Duarte, the orchestra has started an interesting project of professional development, focused on a greater projection in the Cuban music scene and the training of its members, mostly young graduates of the national artistic education system.