ISLAMABAD: The Embassy of Argentina invited renowned musician, Lautaro Tissera to perform during its celebrations for the 65th anniversary of relations with Pakistan.

The event was hosted at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) on Monday.

Tissera, whose music is the tango from the provinces of the Argentine inland, performed solo for the first half hour of the show, after which he invited Brazilian Deputy Head in Pakistan, and bandoneonista, Jean Pierre to join him for two songs.

The bandoneon is an essential instrument in most tango ensembles from the traditional orquesta típica of the 1910s onwards, and in folk music ensembles of Lithuania.

Tissera performs regularly in Argentina and abroad as a soloist or a member of the Tissera-Tolomeo duo and the El Mondongo de Palermo quartet, although this is his first tour in South Asia.

Afterwards, local stars Richie and the Leo Twins performed with the tango guitarist and separately.

Richie and the Leo Twins put forward their usual energy and verve in their pieces together and with the foreign artist. The Leo Twins drew resounding applause for their instrumental performance.

Ambassador of Argentina Ivan Ivanissevich said he was pleased to have been able to bring young artists to Pakistan and to invite students and young people to witness those performances as the youth were the future of the relations between Pakistan and Argentina.

“Music touches upon the intangible that moves our soul in very deep and meaningful ways. It is therefore, one of the best expressions for the kind of understanding that has prevailed between the people of Argentina and Pakistan since 1947,” he said.

PNCA Director General Jamal Shah said the event is part of a series of cultural events being organised by the Argentine Embassy.

“Music as the highest form of art brings people together as nothing else can as it communicates warmth and feelings. Having a musical maestros share his art with us is a privilege and we welcome Lautero Tissero to PNCA,” he said.

Tissera studied at the Conservatorio de Música Popular of Avellaneda (Argentina). He is also the founder of the Espacio Cultural Don Juan, located in La Plata (Argentina). His music draws from Argentinean folk rhythms and, guided by tango music, draws the listener into a fabulous stage experience.

He has also performed as an invited guitarist of the world famous “Sexteto Mayor” and is the director of and responsible for arrangements of the well-known Argentine typical tango orchestra “La Sacada.”

Tissera’s tour extends to Lahore where he will give a concert and hold a workshop for the music students of the National College of Arts. Prior to arriving in Islamabad he performed in Kuwait and will carry on from Pakistan

A guest at the event, Nida Tareen said: “The rhythm seemed to capture the vibrancy of the continent itself, with the spirit of the people who treat tango not just as a form of entertainment but as a form of creative expression.”

Another guest, Salma Ahmed said: “This performance is a testament to the very clichéd but true statement that music indeed transcends all boundaries, including the barriers of culture and language. I would have enjoyed learning more about the pieces performed but it is wonderful to experience aspects of different cultures in Islamabad.”

Habib Asghar, an audience member, said: “This performance made me nostalgic for my college years in Florida where tango music was a significant part of the cultural life of the city. The Argentine Embassy has done a good job in bringing the national treasures of the country to Pakistan.”

Published in Dawn, November 22nd, 2016