Panama May 28, 2026. The National Symphony Orchestra of Panama celebrated at its top its octagnth anniversary of founding with a masterful concert at the iconic National Theater of Panama, under the direction of the prestigious guest director, the Colombian master German Céspedes.

The concert, entitled "The Continent Sounds in Panama," offered the attendees a unique sound journey through a program composed of five representative works from Argentina, Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, Cuba and Panama, with an impeccable tour of the most characteristic rhythms and genres of the region.

The evening was filled with emotion as we remember the trajectory of the institution, that officially met its anniversary last May 27 and today has at the stage with 65 first level musicians, charged with guarding and performing the prestige that the grouping has earned since its creation.

During the event, a special recognition and applause was also extended to master Ricardo Risco as well as to the soloists who shone at night.
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Welcoming the attendees, the Minister of Culture emphasized the transformative role that grouping has had in the national identity, noting that since its founding, the Orchestra has been a pillar of Panamanian culture.

The incumbent of the portfolio celebrated this outstanding legacy to the nation, which has been leading and motivated by as many young musicians as Herbert De Castro at its beginning, Walter Myers, composer Roque Cordero, Eduardo Charpentier De Castro, master Jorge Ledezma Bradley and Ricardo Risco, as well as all the professionals who have been part of this orchestra for more than eight decades.

To complete his intervention and honor this event, she requested an emotional applause from the public for the sixties and four musicians that today make up his institution, recognizing his daily performance in the dissemination of symphony and academic music in Panama.