SAN ANTONIO – Although she is no longer physically here, Selena’s influence and powerful music continue to thrive 30 years later through many different mediums.
This weekend, her classics will get the symphonic music treatment from the San Antonio Philharmonic.
Conductor Felipe Tristan explains how the symphony translated her Tejano/conjunto sound into a symphonic one.
“You have keyboard, drum set, electric bass, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, voices, backup vocals, at most, right? Maybe an accordion there,” Tristan said. “But in a symphony, you have 60, 70, 80 people with different instruments. So, it definitely feels different, but the essence is still there.”
Selena’s powerful music translates across all genres and cultures.
“So this concert, presenting an artist that is timeless, I think is a perfect opportunity for this reminder: that we’re a lot more connected, and should be more connected, and celebrate that,” Tristan said.
The concert will highlight Selena’s music through an orchestra and her lyrics performed by San Antonio resident Isabel Sanchez.
With the Quintanilla family’s blessing, she said she is honored to perform Selena’s songs.
“To continue that legacy is something that I hold deep in my heart because, as a Selena fan myself, it feels so surreal,” Sanchez said.
You can see San Antonio’s Philharmonic’s “Selena Vive” on Friday, Jan. 3 and Saturday, Jan. 4 at 7:30 p.m. at the Majestic Theatre.
Sunday’s show at Majestic Theatre will start at 2 p.m.
For tickets, click here.