A musical tour of Argentina
This weekend marks the beginning of the fifth International Music Festival in Ushuaia, the southernmost classical musical festival in the world. The festival and its participating musicians, which this year include the Moscow Symphonic Orchestra; attract an ever-increasing number of visitors each year. The place to stay is the five-star Las Hayas Resort Hotel, with its views across the Beagle Channel, where the 15 concerts and the majority of the master classes and conferences will be held over the two-week event.
Other key musical events to plan an Argentina holiday around include:
Ciudad Emergente (11-15th June). Up-and-coming rock stars take to the stage in this Buenos Aires rock festival dedicated to showcasing new Argentine and international talent.
For Jazz at the End of World head south to Tierra del Fuego in June (12-14th) for Ushuaia’s International Jazz Festival. For jazz in the city, Buenos Aires Jazz (1st – 8th December) brings together international stars for a week of summer jamming. For an even more relaxed vibe and open-air, lake-side concerts, El Bolson Jazz (4-6th December), in Argentina’s most laid-back town and ex-hippy commune, is a great excuse for visiting the Lake District.
Tango fever in Buenos Aires. Argentina’s two most important tango events, the 10th Buenos Aires Tango Festival (15-24th August) and the 6th World Tango Championships (25th August – 1st September) will turn the city into a sea of melancholic bandoneon* melodies. For a fully tango-themed visit, stay in Legado Mítico’s “El Tanguero” room, dedicated to tango legend, Carlos Gardel.
Musical Week at the Llao Llao (10-18th October). Classical musicians from all over the world perform at the landmark Llao Llao hotel in Bariloche, at the heart of Patagonia’s Lake District. Tourists, classical music fans and critics gather to appreciate the week’s performances. Activities include catamaran excursions to Isla Victoria, in the middle of Nahuel Huapi Lake, where an outdoor concert is held over a gourmet picnic.
In October and November of every year, Argentina´s biggest mobile phone network hosts “Personal Fest”, a collection of pop concerts in Buenos Aires. Last year the line-up included Offspring, R.E.M and The Mars Volta. This year promises an equally impressive bill of local and international artists (details to be announced).
Mendoza celebrates Easter with a classical musical festival along the wine route. It takes place over nine days in vineyards, churches and buildings of architectural and historical interest. 2010 marks the festival’s tenth anniversary. Stay at boutique Club Tapiz throughout the festival or, for true Argentine wine aficionados looking for a novel investment; consider becoming part of Mendoza’s first private vineyard community.
Santa María de los Andes offers members of the public the chance to own their own vineyard but without the headache of starting a winery single-handed. The vineyard is managed for the owner; a wine specialist advises on the best grape to plant and how to cultivate the land; and all the equipment is already in place. Each individual vineyard is part of a large-scale wine development which includes a boutique hotel, spa, winery, club house and gourmet restaurant.
*A bandoneon is a type of accordion used in tango.
