Cancun Municipal Choir Marks Third Anniversary With Free Violeta Parra Tribute Concert

Cancun, Quintana Roo — The Cancun Municipal Choir will celebrate its third anniversary with a new concert series titled “Gracias a la Vida,” a tribute to Chilean composer Violeta Parra and the songs that shaped Latin America’s musical identity in the 1960s and 1970s.

Artistic director Noé Garrido said the season’s name reflects gratitude and the value of art in challenging times.

“We decided to name it this way because there are many things to be thankful for: music, art, and friendship. Sometimes challenges make us more humble and grateful, especially in these times that can be difficult,” Garrido said in an exclusive interview.

The concert will feature works by Violeta Parra and composers from Argentina, Cuba, Chile, and Venezuela, including Silvio Rodríguez, Ariel Ramírez, and Víctor Jara, as well as Spanish singer-songwriter Joan Manuel Serrat, whose work is closely tied to Latin American singer-songwriter tradition.

The choir will perform new arrangements and updated versions of pieces, some a cappella and others accompanied by piano, guitar, jarana veracruzana, donkey jawbone, and other traditional instruments.

The repertoire includes “Gracias a la Vida,” “Cantares,” “La Maza,” and “Te recuerdo Amanda” — songs that have transcended generations due to the power of their lyrics, social commitment, and deep emotional weight.

The free performance will take place on Sunday, July 19, at 1:00 p.m. at the Teatro de la Ciudad in Cancun. Tickets will be available at the venue’s box office two hours before the show, while supplies last.