Lágrimas Negras

The king of Cuban music

Enrique Gasa Valga thrilled our audiences in 2024 with his interpretations of “The Great Gatsby” and “Frida Kahlo”. With Lágrimas Negras, he now sheds light on the extraordinary life of the exceptional artist and Cuban exile Bebo Valdés. His family history over three generations shaped Cuba’s musical heritage and illustrates the island’s turmoil to this day. The Limonada Dance Company from Innsbruck takes you into the unmistakable world of Cuba with all its nostalgic and enchanting facets and tells Valdés’ fateful story.

Escape from the regime

It is the mid-1950s – a time when Havana’s nights are filled with an infectious energy. However, the capital’s frivolous nightlife and the unequal distribution of wealth due to political corruption lead to increasing social tensions. Bebo Valdés lived in this era. His innovative compositions influenced subsequent generations of artists in Central America and beyond. Over the years, he worked with international greats such as Nat King Cole and became the director of the world-famous Tropicana Club.

During Fidel Castro’s Cuban Revolution, Valdés – like countless artists – decided to leave the country. Even though he was never allowed to return to his homeland: His unique style and exceptional piano technique left behind a musical legacy that inspired entire generations of musicians and made Cuban jazz famous far beyond its borders after his death.

A piece of music history

While Bebo led his life in Europe, his children and grandchildren grew up to become internationally acclaimed musicians in Cuba. His daughter Miriam was considered the most important piano teacher on the island for decades and taught at the conservatory. Today, his son Chucho is considered to be the most influential and successful Latin jazz pianist of all time, having won seven Grammys and four Latin Grammy Awards.

Bebo’s grandson Cucurucho Valdés is regarded today as one of the most important representatives of Cuban jazz. Together with the exceptional musician Ray Fernandez, he will perform live on stage and accompany the dance production Lágrimas Negras. The piece is named after the album that Valdés recorded together with the Spanish flamenco singer Diego el Cigala. In addition to three Grammy Awards, six Latin Grammy Awards and countless accolades, it was voted the best album of the year by the New York Times in 2003 – undoubtedly his greatest success. Let us tell you the life story of the great Cuban musician in an expressive way through dance and music.

Enrique Gasa Valga

The choreographer began his ballet training in Zaragoza and then received a coveted scholarship at the Escuela Nacional de Ballet de Cuba, from which he graduated with distinction. In 2009, he took over the management of the Tiroler Landestheater dance company until he founded the Limonada Dance Company in 2023. He has already won the Austrian Music Theater Prize with Frida Kahlo and The Tempest

Fotos © Peter Koren