Minnesota Orchestra Returns To Cuba, First Visit Since 1930

HAVANA (AP) — The Minnesota Orchestra is preparing to make its first visit to Cuba in 85 years.

The orchestra, led by music director Osmo Vanska, will perform two concerts next week at the International Cubadisco Festival.

Orchestra president and executive director Kevin Smith said its repertoire would include works by Beethoven that were performed in 1930 by the company, which then was known as the Minneapolis Symphony.

"It is very exciting and a privilege for us to repeat this program decades later," Smith was quoted as telling the official daily Granma.

Cuban musicians will be part of the performance at Havana's Teatro Nacional. The U.S. musicians also will meet with a youth orchestra and student artists, Granma said.