Ramón Orlando celebrates 50 years of career with a grand event at the Olympic Stadium
The legendary Dominican pianist, composer, and arranger, Ramón Orlando, is preparing to mark a milestone in the country’s musical history with the celebration of his five decades of career. During his appearance on Sin Filtro Radio Show, the maestro cleared up any doubts about the magnitude of his upcoming concert, reaffirming that the Félix Sánchez Olympic Stadium is the only venue capable of hosting the crowd that expects to enjoy his repertoire.
Faced with questions about the choice of venue, the artist was blunt: “There is no place here that can fit all the people I have there, who paid for their room. That is going to be crazy.” As an additional incentive for his followers, the musician announced that, thanks to the collaboration of Auto Mayeya, a vehicle will be raffled off among the attendees who are in their seats during the night of the event.
A bridge between generations and musical genres
The concert lineup has sparked debate for including urban genre figures such as Omega, Chimbala, Lápiz Conciente, and Sujeto Oro. However, Ramón Orlando defends this diversity based on a fundamental teaching from his father, Cuco Valoy. According to the maestro, the advice received was clear: if the goal is to achieve fame, the artist must play directly for the people, setting aside the prejudices of minority sectors.
Many people understand that my music is more elevated, but my dad taught me and told me: if you want to be famous, play for the people and forget about the rest.
Ramón Orlando
The show will feature the participation of seventy-two performers, covering genres such as ballad, salsa, folk music, and merengue, including the confirmed presence of Juan Luis Guerra.
The diagnosis of merengue and the radio
During the interview, the veteran musician lamented the current youth’s disconnection from merengue, attributing this phenomenon to the lack of airplay on local stations since the beginning of the current century. Orlando criticized that prominent music figures, who own their own stations, prioritize foreign or urban rhythms to the detriment of Dominican folklore.
- Merengue lacks new faces with massive impact due to a lack of commercial support.
- The maestro urged following the examples of countries like Mexico or Puerto Rico, where there are regulations that protect and promote the dissemination of their native music.
- The contrast with typical music was highlighted, which is currently experiencing a youthful dynamism led by exponents such as El Rubio del Acordeón.
Tips on politics and social work
When asked about Santiago Matías’s political aspirations, the maestro was reserved and advised him against venturing into that field, emphasizing that his current work brings him great satisfaction. On the other hand, as a man of faith for 38 years, Ramón Orlando defended the social work of churches in vulnerable sectors, inviting critics to observe the work that pastors do in neighborhoods like Gualey, Los Alcarrizos, and Guachupita to combat crime and drug addiction.
With this great event, which will begin at four in the afternoon, Ramón Orlando seeks to consolidate a legacy that, despite the challenges of the industry, remains current in the hearts of Dominicans.
