Sinfónica de Minería ready to open Bravo! Vail’s 37th season

The opening night of Bravo! The 37th season of the Vail Music Festival is almost here. The six-week festival runs from June 20 to August 1 and features four internationally renowned resident orchestras with the returning Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra and New York Philharmonic. New this year, Bravo! Vail welcomes its first Latin American guest orchestra, Mexico’s renowned Sinfónica de Minería, led by Artistic Director Carlos Miguel Prieto, for three evenings of music this Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

Before we get to Beethoven’s “Eroica” Thursday evening at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, let’s get to know Prieto a little more. This may be Sinfónica de Minería’s first time in Vail, but that’s not the case for Prieto. He is a passionate skier as well as a conductor.

“My two passions are skiing and conducting. Vail was a vital part of the first. Can you imagine how exciting it is to now be part of the second one? I can’t wait,” Prieto said.

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Prieto won’t be hitting the slopes this time of year, but he’s excited to play in this venue.

“It’s my first time at Bravo! Vail, but I’ve skied Vail and Beaver Creek my whole life and I’m passionate about the area,” Prieto said. “I am fortunate to be able to perform everywhere, including Carnegie Hall, the London Proms and most of the world’s major theaters. But Ford Amphitheater is my dream venue.

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Prieto spent 25 years as a conductor and has worked for Sinfónica de Minería since 2006.

“I have served as music director of the Sinfónica de Minería as well as the North Carolina Symphony and Symphony Orchestra of the Americas. I also play the violin and have played it my whole life,” Prieto said. He has been nominated for five Grammy Awards and won a Latin Grammy for Best Classical Composition for the recording of Paquito’s “Concierto Venezolano.” D’Rivera.

The three-day residency with Sinfónica de Minería features world-renowned artists including trumpeter Pacho Flores, guitarist Pablo Sáinz-Villegas, cantaora Esperanza Fernández, flamenco dancer Isaac Tovar and cuatro player Leo Rondón.

In the past, Prieto has also collaborated with Bravo! Vail Artistic Director Anne-Marie McDermott is excited to share the stage with her again Thursday for an evening of Beethoven. Although Prieto says he doesn’t have a favorite composer, if I had to choose one it would be Beethoven, but he listens to a wide variety of tunes.

“I listen to jazz. I was music director of the Louisiana Philharmonic in New Orleans for 17 years. I love all kinds of chamber music, piano and opera,” Prieto said.

Learn more about Prieto and Sinfónica de Minería with a Q&A with McDermott immediately following Sunday’s performance. For more information on tickets and other events, visit BravoVail.org.

“I’m very, very excited about Minería in Vail,” Prieto said. “It’s a wonderful orchestra that plays like no other, with an enthusiasm that will surprise everyone.”