Havana, Cuba.- The National Symphony Orchestra of Cuba gave a concert on Sunday, as part of the closing ceremony of the 31st edition of the Festival of Contemporary Music of Havana.

The concert at Teatro Nacional de Cuba’s Covarrubias Hall, was conceived in three parts with a varied repertoire by Cuban and foreign musicians.

Among the guests were the Mexican conductor Arturo Marquez, who premiered his work Concierto Son, and the Mexican flutist Elena Duran, as a soloist.

Other performers were the young chamber orchestra of the Guillermo Tomas Conservatory, conducted by Samira Fernandez and the composer Efrain Amador with his concert for three and orchestra.

The 80th birthday of renowned Cuban composer Roberto Valera, winner of the 1989 National Award granted by the National Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba, was also celebrated.

Presided by Maestro Guido Lopez-Gavilan, the Festival of Contemporary Music of Havana is organized by the Association of Musicians of the Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba and the Cuban Music Institute.

This year, the festival was dedicated to the birth anniversary of important music figures: Alfredo Diez Nieto, Argeliers Leon, Harold Gramatges, Maria Matilda Alea, Calixto Alvarez, Jorge Garciaporrua and Valera.