by the El Reportero’s news services
The announcement of a possible concert in Cuba by Spanish singer Raphael on next Oct. 20 hit the headlines in both domestic and foreign digital media.
Although the Cuban Institute of Music has not confirmed the news, it is estimated that the interpreter of the popular songs Yo soy aquel and Cierro mis ojos will arrive in Havana with the support of the Malaga company Galas Metropolitanas.
After making the announcement about the concert in Marbella, the music producer responsible for the company, Julio Gutiérrez, said that the concert would be an important musical event and added that Julio Iglesias could be the next Spanish singer to perform in Cuba.
According to Gutierrez, this concert by Raphael would be as significant for Spaniards as the Rolling Stones concert was for Britons: we have been working five years for achieving this, he said.
Raphael has recorded duets with important international singers, like Tom Jones, Charles Aznavour and Paul Anka, among others.
Raphael is also an actor and has participated in more than 10 films, including Mi gran noche (2015), the film which opened the 33rd Miami International Film Festival, held from March 4 to 13.
Blockbuster of Batman vs Superman defies criticism
With the critics against it and favored by the inflation, the film Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice transcends today as a blockbuster raising 170.1 million during its first weekend in US movie theaters.
As a result of the alliance between the producer Warner Bros. and DC Comics opposed to Marvel Studios universes, Batman v Superman also became the best debut in March and, at the same time, set a new record for the best pre-summer debut, better than Hunger Games.
In the United States the film marked the best Warner Bros debut, by surpassing the 169.2 million USD earned by Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, in 2011, and 160. of The Dark Knight Rises in 2012.
In the international arena the success was not less, the film directed by Zack Snyder exceeded 424 million USD to become the best box-office superhero film history at its premiere.
Starring Ben Affleck as Batman, and Henry Cavill as Superman, the film received strong critics from the press that highlighted aspects as its dark tone and lack of humor.
Such reaction became a bad omen for this production that cost around 250 million USD and 150 million more on marketing, but the unexpected response from the audience returned the breath to Warner Bros. and DC.
Rolling Stones concert in Cuba, unprecedented show
The Rolling Stones dazzled a crowd of over half a million persons in Havana, an unprecedented show in this country, that still today celebrates the free concert of the mythical British band.
The grounds of Sports City was too small for the multitude that overflowed to the near-by streets and even climbed to the roof of the houses to chorus themes like Jumping Jack flash, Midnight Rambler and Gimme Shelter.
“What a fantastic audience,” exclaimed Jagger and the crowd went wild. We are having a great time here in Havana, and the audience went into a frenzy.
“Thanks Cuba for all the music you have given the world,” expressed the band leader, who spoke an excellent Spanish during the whole concert.
Jagger also shared he had eaten rice and beans and he liked it, but the best part was having danced a Cuban rumba at the House of Music, he confessed.
