Music is the key to life for Venezuelan exiles in Madrid

Venezuelan musicians trained in The System, the Latin American state’s musical education programme, have brought their virtuosity and passion to the streets and underground trains of the Spanish capital
Venezuelan musicians trained in The System, the Latin American state’s musical education programme, have brought their virtuosity and passion to the streets and underground trains of the Spanish capital
MAGDA GIBELLI

They are street buskers, waiters and food delivery bikers, but every Sunday they are members of Spain’s most unusual orchestra — founded by Venezuelans fleeing the collapse of their country’s economy.

Manuel Jurado, conductor of the Cruz Diez Orchestra, confesses that he was called “crazy” when, battling a profound depression after being uprooted from a comfortable life in Caracas as a professional musician, he decided to form the ensemble.

“How could I do this, people told me, when I hardly even had enough money to pay for a room to sleep in, that I was going to form an orchestra? But I persisted, I went looking in the streets and today, four years later, we are 75 musicians with 30 concerts to our name.”

The Cruz Diez Orchestra gives musicians exiled in Europe because of economic collapse in Latin American states the chance to play again in concert halls. There are now 75 members and the ensemble has 30 concerts to its name
The Cruz Diez Orchestra gives musicians exiled in Europe because of economic collapse in Latin American states the chance to play again in concert halls. There are now 75 members and the ensemble has 30 concerts to its name
MAGDA GIBELLIMAGDA GIBELLI

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