National Museum of American History Presents Exhibition With a Focus on a Spanish Translation of the Star-Spangled Banner Anthem

Latin America - español

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Smithsonian's National Museum of American History

Sep 24, 2012, 10:07 ET

WASHINGTON, Sept. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --

WHAT:	Press breakfast and exhibition preview for "Not Lost in Translation: The Life of Clotilde Arias," which opens at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History during Hispanic Heritage Month.

WHEN:	Thursday, Sept. 27
	9 a.m.

WHERE:	National Museum of American History
	14th Street and Madison Drive N.W.
	NOTE: Enter via Madison Drive entrance

WHO:	Richard Kurin, Under Secretary for History, Art and Culture
	Harold Forsyth, Ambassador of Peru
	Marvette Perez, curator, National Museum of American History
	Cara Rogers-Gonzalez, soloist, Coral Cantigas

"Not Lost in Translation: The Life of Clotilde Arias," provides a rich look into the life of a Peruvian immigrant who arrived in New York from Iquitos, Peru, in 1923 at age 22. Known for her composition "Huiracocha," which is revered and still performed around the world, Arias led an atypical life. A composer, musician, journalist, copywriter, activist and educator, she was commissioned in 1945 by the State Department to provide an official translation of the U.S. national anthem that could be sung in Spanish. The exhibit opens Sept. 29 in the Albert Small Documents Gallery.

The press event features a preview of the anthem "El Pendon Estrellado" with a solo performance. Coral Cantigas, a chamber chorus specializing in the music of Latin America, will bring Arias' translation to life Saturday, Sept. 29, in a free program, "The Star-Spangled Banner en espanol," which also features "Huiracocha." Performances by the full chorus are set for 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. in front of the Star-Spangled Banner gallery. Peruvian food specials will be served in the Stars and Stripes Cafe with a guest demonstration Sept. 29 by Peruvian embassy Chef Jorge Gomez.

Media website: http://newsdesk.si.edu

SOURCE Smithsonian's National Museum of American History