Rolando Borrero Oviedo

Biography

ARTISTIC CURRICULUM VITAE  “Rolando Borrero Oviedo” 
 

Born February 18 1987 
I began to study the cello in 1994 under the tutelage of the married couple professors Gladys Lo and Juan Verdera, with whom I continued until upper middle level at the "Guillermo Tomás Music Conservatory”. 
During this stage I joined the chamber and youth orchestra of the conservatory. I was also part of the Cellos Ensemble with instrumentalists from the National Symphony Orchestra of Cuba, premiering in my country the Bachianas No.1 by Heitor Villa-Lobos. 
In 2002, being a student, I was called to join the National Symphony Orchestra to participate in the recording of works by the mexican composer and conductor Alejandro Sanchez Navarro, under his direction and with the cuban conductor Enrique Perez-Mesa. Around this time I was part of the string quartet for the world premiere of Steve Dobogroz's “Jazz Mass” for the ninth anniversary of the chamber choir "Vocal Leo". 
I was also part of the "Charanga" format where I played the repertoire of traditional cuban music. I joined the cello quartet with my teachers performing a vast repertoire of universal music. 
In 2004 I was selected to join the Youth Symphony Orchestra conducted by Maestro Cláudio Abbado. At this stage I am a the winner of a special mention, a third place , a second place, and a first prize in competitions around my country.  I was also part in various festivals. 
In 2005 I made my social service for 4 years in the National Symphony of Cuba participating in concerts and seasons organized by this institution under the direction of famous conductors among which stand out: Enrique Perez-Mesa, Yuri Hung, Luis Gorelik, Juan Luis Gonzalez, Nathalie Marín, Francesco Belli, Justuz Franz, Zhang Yi, Yoshikazu Fukumura, Bernard Rubinstein and Elena Herrera, Roberto Valera, Anarelis Garriga, Guido López-Gavilán, Jorge López Marín, Zenaida Castro Romeu and Jose María Vitier. 
  
 
Since 2009 until nowadays I am part of the “Gran Teatro de la Habana Orchestra (Alicia Alonso)”.  In the next 7 years since 2010 being principal cellist I played the wide repertoire of opera, operetta, ballet and zarzuelas that are regularly presented in this theater. Repertoire that includes the most important works of those genres, by composers such as Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky, Verdi, Puccini, Rossini, etc. All these last mentioned, by recommendation reference letters made by the Maestro Conductor Roberto Sanchez-Ferrer, composer, arranger and orchestrator, who has been General Director of the “Gran Teatro de la Habana Orchestra (Alicia Alonso)”  for more than 30 consecutive years. Other works performed included: Tanhäuser, a season with soloists of the Opera of Daegeon of Korea under the direction of Maestro Kim Joo Hyun, Lucia Lammermoor with the teacher Helena Herrera, Pictures for an Exhibition, The Magic Flute with Maestro Richard Bonnynge, Swan Lake, Nutcracker, Giselle, Cecilia Valdés, María La O, and others. Some of these under the direction of cuban teachers Roberto Sánchez Ferrer( General Director) and Yhovani Duarte (Titular Director at that time). Also in 2012 I joined throughout a year the “Orchestra of the Institute of Radio and Television (ICRT)” being part in concerts such as the one dedicated to the anniversary of Cuba-Russia friendly relations. 
From 2005 to 2006 I was part of the antique music group "Cantiga Armónica", under the direction of guitarist Joe Ott, participating in the “IV Festival of Antique Music Esteban Salas” and the concert season "Septiembre Barroco". 
In 2019 I got my bachelor's degree in cello by the University of the Arts (ISA) of Cuba, having Gladys Lo as a guide, who was my teacher throughout my career. 
At this stage I decided to merge the cello as the only instrument on stage to “performances”, “dance” and “plastic arts exhibitions”, being part of “The Street Dance Festival” of the contemporary dance company "Retazos 2017", and the theater company “Punto Azul” in his work "Nadar en Seco", among other performance as well as painting exhibitions such as "Latitud". 
I was invited to participate in the summer improvement course in Sicily Italy by the Master Violinist of the Symphony Orchestra "Santa Cecilia" David Romano, but I could not attend due to economic limitations. 
In December 2020 I won Third Prize in the International Online Competition organized by The Samnium University of Music. 
Outside the academic context I join improvising with the cello various poets, troubadours, rappers, and jazz players. With some jazzist I have recorded various CDs. 
In 2021 I was in the “Jazz Plaza Internacional Festival in Cuba Online” as part of the band of the famous young double bassist Gastón Joya. 
Since October 2009 I am a member of the “Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba” (UNEAC).