José Sibaja and Mónica Ábrego join ESO for Latin Fire on Dec. 30

Join the Elgin Symphony Orchestra on Friday, Dec. 30, at 7:30 p.m., for a passion-filled celebration of Latin American orchestral hits paired with energetic performances of acclaimed Costa Rican trumpeter José Sibaja and Mexican soprano Mónica Ábrego.

Enrico Lopez-Yañez will conduct this performance, which will include “Bésame mucho,” “Estrellita,” popular selections from Carmen, and other Latin American favorites.

The performance is co-presented by the Elgin Symphony Orchestra and the Hemmens Cultural Center. Tickets start at $20 and are available through the Hemmens Cultural Center box office between 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. and 2 – 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, by phone at 847-931-5900, or online at www.hemmens.org/tickets. Free parking is available.

Lopez-Yañez is the Principal Pops Conductor of the Nashville Symphony where he leads the Symphony’s Pops Series and Family Series. Lopez-Yañez is quickly establishing himself as one of the Nation’s leading conductors of popular music and becoming known for his unique style of audience engagement. An active composer/arranger, Lopez-Yañez has been commissioned to write for the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, Houston Symphony, San Diego Symphony, and Omaha Symphony.

Sibaja, who is lead trumpet of the renowned Boston Brass, has recorded with artists such as Ricky Martin, Gloria Estefan, and Celia Cruz, and has performed on television at the MTV Awards, Grammy Awards, and Saturday Night Live, among many others.

Ábrego is known as one of Mexico’s outstanding sopranos. She made her debut at Carnegie Hall in 2003 and has since performed with orchestras in the U.S., Bulgaria, and Mexico, as well as performing in many operas, most recently in Carmen.