Photo: Cenart

By THÉRÈSE MARGOLIS

Back in 1936, German composer Carl Orff cobbled together a collection of 24 profane medieval poems and set them to music to create an original cantata which he called “Carmina Burana.”

His impelling composition quickly became popular and a staple piece of Germany’s classical music repertoire.

Over the years, “O Fortuna,” the opening and closing movement of “Carmina Burana,” has been used in numerous feature films and has been assimilated into popular culture.

Two powerful performances of this musical spectacular are due to be presented at Mexico City’s Blas Galindo Auditorium inside the National Center for the Arts (Cenart) on Saturday, June 25, and Sunday, June 26, at 6 p.m.

The two concerts will take place under the direction of Maestro Enrique Vélez Godoy, who will lead an all-Mexican cast of singers and musicians, including the Tamayo-Durán Duo (composed of pianists Anthony Tamayo and Argentina Durán) and the Percussion Ensemble of the Arts (which includes Michelle Alejandra Lagos, Néstor Daniel Onofre, Armando Hidalgo, Emmanuel Navarro and Ariana Orozco, under the artistic direction of Humberto Rodríguez.

Mexico’s Choir of the Arts, under the vocal direction of Isaac Bañuelos, will also participate, along with soloists soprano Katia Reyes, tenor Josué Hernández and baritone Vladimir Rueda.

The Cenart Blas Galindo Auditorium is located at Avenida Río Churubusco 79, on the corner of Calzada de Tlalpan in Mexico City’s Colonia Country Club.

Tickets for the “Carmina Burana” concerts, at 300 pesos each, can be purchased at the door or through Ticketmaster.